Patricia Brown

Patricia Lynn Brown, known to family and friends as Pat, was a beacon of strength, intelligence, and resilience. Born on October 1, 1928, in Lafayette, Louisiana, Pat brought a sharp mind to amaze her family. Hers was a journey full of adventures, groundbreaking achievements, and deep connections that spanned 97 years. Helen Keller once said, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all," and Pat truly lived her life as a daring adventure.

Pat was the first female chemical engineer to graduate from Southwestern Louisiana Institute. She earned her master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Texas.

Pat taught chemistry at Smith College, became a research associate at Albany Medical College and worked for Ethyl Corporation, where she began her career as a technical information resources specialist. She later became a technical writer at Bettis Atomic Power Division Westinghouse, and an Information Services Supervisor at Texas Instruments. She left that position to do research in information storage and retrieval at Battelle Memorial Institute. After that, she worked in technical information management at Baxter Laboratories and retired from her last position with Stepan Company, where she learned skills in data analysis, system design, reporting and publishing, computer operations and management.

Pat was a trailblazer in her field, carving out a successful career. She was a woman ahead of her time, unafraid of challenges and always eager to push boundaries. Her innovative spirit and tireless dedication contributed significantly to advancements in technology. Despite her notable professional achievements, Pat remained humble, attributing her success to diligence, continuous learning, and the support of those around her. She was an inspiration to many, her life serving as a testament to what one could achieve with determination and hard work.

Patricia Brown was a lifelong active member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and served as the society’s seventh president from 1961 to 1963. She co-founded the Detroit section of SWE in 1952. She was one of the first members, a Charter Member, of the South Ohio SWE section. She was a key Member in helping keep SWE afloat in the late 1950s when money was scarce and membership was low.

While Pat was president of SWE, she worked with Lillian Moller Gilbert to help advance SWE’s goals to encourage women engineers to succeed.

In addition to SWE, Brown was affiliated with the American Society for Information Science, the American Chemical Society, and the Society for Technical Communication.

Pat was deeply loved and will be tremendously missed by her surviving family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Brown and Maude Thomas. Pat’s love, strength, and spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing her. She will always be remembered as a remarkable woman who lived her life to the fullest, and her legacy will continue to inspire the generations to come.

We invite those who knew Pat to share their memories and upload photos to her memorial page. This not only serves as a tribute to Pat’s life but also provides comfort and connection during this difficult time. Let us celebrate Patricia Brown's life together, remembering her as the extraordinary woman that she was.

It would be Pat's request that donations be made to the Society of Women Engineers. Lois Aileen Bey Memorial Scholarship or if preferred a scholarship could be started in Patricia Lynn Brown's name.