Eleanor Crawford Brown

Eleanor Crawford Brown of Wilmington, Delaware, died on April 15, 2026, at the age of 91. She was the daughter of Eleanor Albers Phillips Crawford and Hugh Francis Crawford.

Born in 1934, Eleanor grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, where she graduated from Central High School. Eleanor also attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Eleanor enjoyed competitive tennis and bridge. She was delighted when a professional instructor once chose her to compete in a pro-am bridge match (“I’m the ‘am,’” she assured everyone).

Eleanor was a member of the Junior League, Wilmington Country Club, and the National Society of the Colonial Dames. She was an active member of Christ Church. Eleanor was also a guide at Winterthur Museum, where she studied early Chinese trade. Her expertise included 18th-century export porcelain, lacquered furniture, and hand-painted Chinese wallpaper.

Eleanor loved Camp Tockwogh Family Week, reciting poetry, long walks on the beach (any beach), extravagant Christmases, and a lifetime of family dogs. Most of all she loved being with family and friends.

Eleanor is survived by her children, James L. Patton Jr. (Kathleen Patton) of Wilmington, Delaware; Hugh C. Patton (Lilly Patton) of Brooklyn, New York; and Eleanor Stuart Patton (Kevin Kinsella) of San Francisco, California; her three grandchildren, Kelly Klein (Ricky Klein), Diana Patton-LoveCooksey (Katie Patton-LoveCooksey), and Vivienne Patton; and her great-grandchildren, Nora and Erik Klein—all of whom she shared with her former spouse, James L. Patton. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Catherine B. Sloan (Bob Sloan) of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and John P. W. Brown VI of Landrum, South Carolina, children of her late husband, John P. W. Brown III.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Stonegates Health Center for their loving care, humor, and grace.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

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Funeral Services

Services will be private.

Condolences

Lynn Friess lit a candle and writes,

Condolences to Eleanor’s family from the Friess Family of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Your mother was a dear friend for many years when I lived in Wilmington. And our daughters still remain good friends to this day. Blessings to all, Lynn

04/25/2026 11:28 am

Ashley Wilks lit a candle and writes,

Sending love and prayers to the Patton and Brown families. I have many fond memories of Eleanor from growing up with Stuart. I never saw her without a smile and loved bumping into her at WCC over the years while she enjoyed playing bridge with her friends. Thinking of you all and sending lots of love. Ashley Wilks

05/02/2026 08:06 am

Heather Phillips lit a candle and writes,

It was a pleasure knowing and getting the opportunity to take care of your mother. She will be dearly missed. Prayers are with the whole family. Heather P. Stonegates

05/03/2026 06:49 pm

Jacqueline V. Edison writes,

To Eleanor's Family, I was so saddened to learn of Eleanor's passing. We were guides together at Winterthur for over 30 years. Eleanor, John and my husband and I played in a couples Bridge group for many years with several other couples. Eleanor was such a delightful woman. I would often stop to visit with her at Stonegates Healthcare when I visited our mutual friend Genie Mackey. I am so sorry for your loss. With heartfelt sympathy, Jackie Edison

05/04/2026 12:51 pm

Julie Weaver writes,

To Stuart, Jim and Hue, we send our condolences. Eleanor was a dear friend of my mother for so many years before and recently at Stonegates. She was a delightful person. Much love from Julie on behalf of the Kuniholm family.

05/04/2026 08:00 pm

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