Merle Kay Brown, age 92, a longtime Sedro-Woolley, Washington resident, passed away May 29, 2023. She was born on January 24, 1931  in Concrete, WA, the daughter of Earl King and Miriam (Spurling) King.

Kay, as she was known, was raised in Birdsview, WA and graduated from Concrete High School in 1949 and from Western Washington State College ­­­­­­­­in 1959. She was the first in her family to earn a college degree.  A lifelong teacher, she began her teaching career at Concrete Elementary where she met her eventual husband, Stan Brown. She also taught at Hamilton Elementary and Mary Purcell Elementary, but for most of career she taught 1 ^st and 2 ^nd grades at Lyman Elementary.  She was honored with the Sedro-Woolley School District Community Recognition Award in 2011.

After retiring from teaching, she found great joy in traveling with friends sometimes on "senior junkets" following her beloved Seattle Mariners on road trips across the country.  She also enjoyed traveling to Europe, including Italy and England.  She was a big fan of Willie Nelson, and occasionally attended his concerts.  She was also, secretly and surprisingly, a big fan of Richard Pryor.  Additionally, she was enthusiastic about Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Supersonics, Tiger Woods-era golf, all SWHS Cub sports, and any and all marching bands.

Kay is survived by her daughter, Amanda Brown; son, Andy Brown; sister Carol (Spurling/Hooper) Perry; sister-in-law, Joan (Brown) Rothausen; nephews, Tommy Hooper and Brad Rothausen; niece, Karen (Rothausen) Fox; grandnephew, Arlo Hooper.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Brown; son, Gregory Brown; surrogate grandson, Kramer Blackwell.

A Celebration of Merle's life will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023, 1-4pm at Eagle Haven Winery, 8233 Sims Road, Sedro-Woolley. Share your memories of Kay sign the online guest register.