Obituary of Jeannie Franklin-Brown
Jeannie M. Franklin-Brown, 87, beloved wife of Robert A. Brown of South Glastonbury, died Friday, June 8th at Hartford Hospital. Jeannie was born in Montreal, Canada on June 27, 1930, to the late Marguerite de Bonneville Baldwin and Howard Lea Marshall. She and Marguerite moved often when she was young, finally settling in Connecticut. Jeannie excelled as a student at Old Lyme High School, graduating in 1948. Jeannie was a talented singer, dancer and actress, and briefly pursued a career in theater. Her first performances were at the Ivoryton Playhouse in CT. She also performed in musicals in Switzerland and France from 1948 to 1949, attended the Fagen School of Drama, Radio and Television in NY, and starred in the off Broadway play Personally Yours in Patterson, NJ. Jeannie left acting behind after marrying Gerald F. Franklin in 1952. They moved to Glastonbury and raised two children. Jeannie began a new career with the Glastonbury Public Schools, spending 25 years working at the Board of Education, retiring in 1990. Gerald passed away in 1994, and Jeannie entered a new phase of her life, spending time with friends and family. She fell in love with Robert (Bob) Brown, and they married on Valentine’s Day, 2006. Jeannie and Bob shared passions for bird watching, music, clocks, and attending musicals especially at the Goodspeed Opera House. Besides her husband Bob, Jeannie leaves behind a son, Michael Franklin, of Glastonbury; a daughter and son-in-law, Geraldine and Mark Sonnenschein, of Midland, MI; five grandchildren Matthew Sonnenschein, Kristine Franklin, Anne Sonnenschein, Ryan Franklin, and Susie Sonnenschein; additional family Alison Franklin and Carolann Mytych; and many dear friends. In addition to her parents and first husband, Jeannie was predeceased by half-sister Alice (Mimi) Stalgaitis, cousin Marshall Wolf, and family in Switzerland including aunt Violette de Bonneville Vaury. Jeannie was filled with energy and enthusiasm for life, and a devotion to family and friends. She will be greatly missed. The Mulryan Funeral Home is handling arrangements, and services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Glastonbury Historical Society, P.O. Box 46, Glastonbury, CT 06033.