Madeline Brown

Madeline B. Brown, a resident of Penn Hall, Chambersburg, died in her sleep Friday, November 16, 2012 in the home. She was 94.
Family members remember her as an avid reader, an accomplished cook, and a vivacious hostess who grasped a notion of 'living' akin to that seen in Rosalind Russell's cinematic portrayal of Auntie Mame.

She was born July 20, 1918 in Orrstown PA, to Chester B. and Mary B. Bowen Wise, and graduated Shippensburg Senior High School in 1936.

In 1938 Madeline married John M. Valigorsky, a civilian employed by US Army Ordinance at Letterkenny. Together they traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad living in several Army bases: Fort Knox, Fort Meade, Seneca Army Depot, and U.S. Army 7th Army HQ, Stuttgart, Germany. While raising three children, Madeline took time to volunteer with the Red Cross. In 1957, Madeline developed a passion for Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. She competed and won prizes with her flower arrangements in flower shows at the Chambersburg Garden Club, where she was an active member for over two decades.

Following her return from Europe in 1962, she divorced from John, and took up residence in Shippensburg. In 1967 she married Dr. Charles M. Brown, DDS, (Doc) with whom she remained with until his death in 1993. The 1970's and 80's brought a continued outreach to military families, and Madeline & “Doc” entertained often for both officers stationed at the Letterkenny Army Depot, as well as many members of the local community.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Charles M. Brown who died in 1993 and a daughter in-law Sharon D. Valigorsky who died in 2008.

She is survived by her children: two sons -- Dr. Jon M. Valigorsky and his wife Helga of Pittsfield, MA; Joel J. Valigorsky and his wife Patricia of Mechanicsburg – and one daughter; Janice W. Weiser and her husband Michael of Seattle, WA, as well as two granddaughters; Astrida Valigorsky of New York City, NY and Marie Valigorsky of Mechanicsburg, one grandson; Mark Valigorsky and his wife Tiffany of Milford, CT, and two great granddaughters; Abigail Valigorsky and Hannah Valigorsky, both of Milford, CT; and two step-daughters, Barbara Myers of Hurricane, WV and Sondra Reeder of Narvon, PA, and their families.

A memorial service will be held on the Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 11am in the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home Inc., Shippensburg with the Rev. Dr. Brenda J. Kiser officiating. Private burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery. Visitation will be held at 10am, one hour prior to the service in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association Western Pennsylvania Chapter, 416 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15209, or the Menno Haven Employee Appreciation Fund, or the Penn Hall Benevolent Fund. Please designate the fund and forward to: Menno Haven Retirement Communities, 2011 Scotland Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201

Condolences may be sent via www.fogelsanger-brickerfuneralhome.com. Click on the link for Madeline Brown.