Rebecca K. Brown

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Rebecca “Becky” Brown (Keefe), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Christiana Hospital. She was 79 years old.

Born into a proud Irish family, Becky spent much of her young life in Wilmington, DE and Chadds Ford, PA. The daughter of a DuPont chemist and registered nurse, both of whom served in the US Military. She attended The Tatnall School and later graduated from Unionville High School in 1965. She continued her education at Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and enjoyed being a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority. She stayed in the Monmouth area after her graduation and taught 2nd grade until moving back east. She spent some time in New York, where she worked for the Cambridge University Press, IPCO Hospital Supply, and managed a small law firm before she moved back to Delaware. She was the founder’s assistant of Flight Safety, Wilmington, playing an integral part in its beginnings. While working there, she played in the Atlantic Aviation Softball League, where she pitched and played 1st base. In 1977, a mutual friend introduced her to a US Army pilot, named Duane Brown, and their true love story began. After that day, they were inseparable; shared passions for music, concerts, dancing, cars, horses, airplanes, and helicopter flights led to an engagement over the helicopter headset. They were married at Trinity Church in 1978. Rich in love, they built a beautiful life together and started a family. Three children soon followed, Megan, Matthew, and Michael. Duane’s career as an airplane and US Army helicopter pilot took him all over the world. It was during this time that Becky took on her most important and challenging job, which was that of a mother. She raised three children, often on her own. She was a nurturing, loyal, protective, and fierce mother bear who would do anything for her children. She was a supportive wife and mother, and the heart and soul of her family. Becky was a passionate home chef, always going above and beyond to make delicious home cooked meals. She delighted in cooking shows and restaurant reviews and continued to cook outstanding meals until the last day of her life. When her children were young, she was the President of the PTO at the Pocono Elementary Center. For years, she was heavily involved at Brandywine Youth Club (BYC). She coached softball and was a proud sports mom, including baseball, football, cheerleading, and more, all while managing the snack bar. She spent many years as a supportive cheerleading mother, traveling all over the US to cheerleading competitions. Even with all of her commitments, she took a part-time job at the Wilmington Church of the Brethren as their church secretary. Among many tasks, she managed the weekly church bulletins and organized Meals on Wheels. She always enjoyed helping others. Becky and her family made cherished memories vacationing in Bethany Beach, DE in the summers. Becky was also an avid animal lover. She spent many years breeding and showing cats around the United States and Canada with TICA and CFA. She proudly showed the Cat of the Year and Alter of the Year during this time. She also loved her dogs and had many beloved pugs during the latter years. She loved bowling and was in many different leagues over the years. She enjoyed cars and was a member of the British Car Club and Cosworth Vega Organization. Becky was also on the board of the Bellanca Airfield Museum.

Throughout her life, music was always at the forefront. She sang in multiple church choirs, beginning as a young girl at Christ Church. She sang beautiful songs with her choir at Stroudsburg United Methodist Church, as well as Aldersgate United Methodist Church. She loved to sing and shared that love with her family, inspiring a passion for music within each family member. She played the banjo in college and the violin and piano in grade school. She even tried to learn the bagpipes as an adult. In later years, she attended copious concerts and developed personal relationships with members of Toto and Doug Gray of the Marshall Tucker Band. Becky also adored her four grandchildren; she enjoyed spending time with them and supporting their sporting events. She was extremely proud of them and loved them dearly. Becky was a woman of deep faith. Moving often for Duane’s career, she always kept strong relationships with her local churches and choirs and watched services at home when she could not attend. She accepted Christ, as young girl, and continued to worship Him all the days of her life. Becky was an incredible woman of many talents, interests, and most of all faith. Throughout her life, Becky was a source of unwavering love, strength, and guidance to her family and friends. She is survived by her loving husband, Duane Brown, and her three adoring children, Megan Martz (Brown), Matthew Brown, and Michael Brown. In addition to her children, she is survived by her four grandchildren, Cameron Brown, Brynnleigh Martz, Cassidy Martz, and Nash Martz, as well as her son-in-law, Matthew Martz. She is also survived by her sister, Tara Keefe, and sister-in-law, Deborah Banskter. She was preceded in death by her mother, Christina Keefe, brother, R. Kevin Keefe, and father, Robert Keefe Jr.

A funeral service to honor and celebrate Becky’s life will be held at Christ Church, Christiana Hundred, located at 505 E Buck Rd, Wilmington, DE on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 10:00 am. A graveside service will immediately follow at Birmingham Lafayette Cemetery, located at 1235 Birmingham Rd, West Chester, PA. Visitation will be held at Chandler Funeral Home, located at 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE on Monday, September 14, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Family and friends are invited to attend any or all services to pay their respects and share their loving memories and prayers.