Elizabeth Brown

Elizabeth W. Rutan Brown (nee Wilson), daughter of the late Dr. Samuel T. and Elizabeth H. Wilson, died peacefully after a long illness on March 5, 2015. Lib, as she was known, was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia. She was an accomplished student-athlete in a time when female participation in sports was regarded as something of an oddity. Her favorite sport was basketball, which put her 5'9" height to great use and advantage. Following a distinguished career in the classroom at the Pape School and Mt. Vernon Seminary, she went to Sweet Briar College in Virginia. There she met a University of Virginia student, Frank E. Rutan, 3rd. They were married in April, 1954 in a grand ceremony in Savannah. Frank and Lib then settled on the Main Line. They were soon parents to Eleanor, followed by Frank, IV and Will.



Lib put her ambition, wit and intelligence to excellent use in a fulfilling and successful career in marketing for Wyeth Laboratories. Her rise through the ranks in a male-dominated work world in the 60's and 70's was a testimony to her ambition and perseverance, much like what drove her to success in athletics. She possessed "no quit" and was truly a woman ahead of her time.



Lib was remarried to Ralph Brown, Jr. in 1975 and they remained together until Ralph's early death in 1997. Lib worked until retirement in 2002, after which she fulfilled her wanderlust by traveling the world with her children and grandchildren. Among the many places she visited were Russia, China, Australia, the South Pacific, South America, all throughout Eastern and Western Europe and above the Arctic Circle in Finland for a memorable Christmas, 2000 with her grandchildren. LIb's life was one lived in full.



Lib was very proud of her family and family history. She showered love and affection upon her children and grandchildren. Her ancestors included a signer of the Declaration of Independence, two Governors, as well as a United States Senator from Georgia.



Lib is survived by her children Eleanor Rutan, Frank Rutan and WIlliam Rutan, her grandchildren Alexander, Katherine, Emily, Benjamin and Samuel, and her sister Tiffany Ferebee of Charlotte, NC.



A ceremony is planned for Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 11:00 AM at St. David's Episcopal Church, 763 Valley Forge Road, Wayne, PA where relatives and friends may visit the family from 10:00-10:50 AM. Interment will be private.



In lieu of flowers, Lib's wishes were to support the work of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 225 City Avenue, Suite 104, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.