Obituary of Carla L. Brown

Carla L. Brown of Searsport, 59, died at her home on November 1, 2011, with her loving family at her side. Carla was born in Caribou, Maine on August 15, 1952. She was a 1972 graduate of the University of Maine at Presque Isle where she met her husband of 38 years, Bob. She and her husband then moved to Searsport where they raised their children, and Carla founded Hidden Gardens, a perennial plant nursery that she owned and successfully operated until she passed away. Carla will be remembered for her love of nature and for passing that love on to her grandchildren. She took great joy in studying the lives of butterflies and traveling extensively with Bob to photograph them. Another of her passions was music. She dearly loved playing accordion with the Belfast Bay Fiddlers and with all of her good friends in that group. Carla was also a ballroom dancer who spent many happy hours dancing, as well as teaching dance with Bob. Carla is survived by her husband, Bob; her son Ethan Brown and his daughter Elise; her daughter Molly Leding and her husband Michael and their two children, Jackson and Ella; her father and mother, Don and Glenda Smith of Caribou; brother Wayne Smith and his wife Patty; brother Don Smith and his wife Hollis; sister Donna Hale and her husband Tom; her sister-in-law Barb Smith and also her dearly loved nieces and nephews. Carla was predeceased by her brother Darrel Smith. Graveside services will be held for friends and family at Grove Cemetery in Belfast Friday, November 4th at 1:30 p.m. A celebration of Carla’s life will be held at the Belfast UU Church on Saturday November 5th at 4 p.m. On-line condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com.