Jeanne P. (Aiken) Brown
Jeanne P. (Aiken) Brown, a longtime resident of Hudson, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, March 8, 2026, after a short illness, surrounded by her loving family.
Jeanne was the daughter of the late John Kenneth Aiken and Mary Pauline (Bain) Aiken. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Russell E. Brown, Jr.; her sister, Doris E. (Aiken) Stuart; and her partner of 18 years, James Murphy.
From the time she was 11 years old, Jeanne had a deep love of horses. Inspired by her grandfather, who had been a head groomsman while living in Scotland, she took every opportunity to ride or simply spend time with horses. She also had a lifelong affection for animals and loved dogs, cats, and other small pets. Jeanne cherished Lake Champlain and spent many happy summers there from childhood through adulthood.
Jeanne graduated from Springfield High School in Springfield, Vermont, where she shared her musical talents by playing piano at school events. After graduation, she attended the University of Vermont with the goal of becoming a dental hygienist. However, after one year she left school to care for her mother.
Jeanne married Russell E. Brown, Jr. after he completed basic training in the military. She then began life as an Air Force wife, moving from base to base before they were stationed at Shaw Air Force Base. Three months after the birth of their daughter, the family left military life and Jeanne began the next chapter of her life raising their four children.
Following the passing of her husband at the age of 48, Jeanne returned to the workforce and worked for Raytheon in Andover, Massachusetts for ten years as a dispatcher.
Later in life, Jeanne found love again with her partner, James Murphy. Together they shared a passion for motorcycles and traveled extensively throughout the United States, as well as to Mexico and England. They also shared a deep love of bluegrass music, traveling throughout New England to attend concerts and festivals in their tag-along trailer.
Jeanne enjoyed baking and cooking for her family and especially loved sewing clothes for her four children when they were young. She also found joy in painting, knitting, and crocheting. Her home was always open to anyone who needed a place to stay, and she was known for her warmth, kindness, and willingness to listen and help others.
Jeanne is survived by her loving children: her daughter Kathleen (Brown) Peterson and Paul Beasley of Derry, NH; her son Russell E. Brown III and his wife Cathleen (Dubois) Brown of Goffstown, NH; her son James K. Brown and his wife Donna (Chantal) Brown of Nashua, NH; and her son Carl A. Brown of Amherst, NH. She also leaves her cherished granddaughters Jennifer (Peterson) Colburn, April Jordan, Erika (Peterson) Soucy, and Candice (Brown) Franscone, along with eleven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Following cremation, a time of visitation will be held on Saturday, March 14th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Dumont-Sullivan Funeral Home, 50 Ferry Street, Hudson, NH. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Jeanne’s loving memory to Hidden Pond Equine Rescue ( hiddenpondequinerescue.org ), a nonprofit horse rescue organization.
A small gathering will be held at Jeanne’s home in Hudson following the visitation.
To share an online message of condolence please visit www.dumontsullivan.com The Dumont-Sullivan Funeral Home in Hudson is in charge of arrangements.