Robert Richter adjusts the microphone for Anna Brown, a WWII era Marine and Legionnaire recognized at Pasadena Post 13 Sons of The American Legion Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (Photo: Pasadena Post 13)
Anna Theresa Brown, a beloved Marine, Legionnaire, veterans organization leader, friend, sister, aunt, and party hostess died of natural causes on December 25, 2020. Not one to go quietly, she had been battling an acute illness since early November, and survived a case of Covid-19 while in the hospital.
Born the oldest of 11 in Pittsburgh, PA on October 14, 1923, she spent much of her youth living all around the US from Nevada to Tennessee. In 1940 she hitchhiked her way across the US alone with
$15 in her pocket. After the start of WWII she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Women’s Reserve in 1943 and spent the duration of the war stationed at El Toro Airbase managing a Post Exchange.
After the close of WWII, Anna Theresa settled in Santa Monica, CA where she spent her working career as a technician and receptionist for a local orthodontist. Her personal life was much more colorful and she enjoyed the lifestyle Southern California had to offer. Living in the same apartment in Santa Monica for 57 years, many friends, coworkers, and comrades can recount tale after tale of social gatherings.
Santa Monica Post 123 Past Commander Anna Brown is recognized for almost 75 years of service to veterans in The American Legion during the Pasadena Post 13 Sons Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (Photo: Jared Morgan)
Never marrying and without children, Anna Theresa spent much of her time advocating for veterans causes through multiple veterans organizations. She was a member of the American Legion, American Legion Women’s Post, the Women’s Marine Association, among others. Her longest tenure was with the American Legion. Between 1950 and 2019 she only missed 2 national conventions, and was known throughout the Legion for her social and outgoing nature.
Anna was preceded in death by her parents William and Anna Brown, siblings William J Brown, Marie A Mangini, Dorothy Chaves, George Brown, Barbara Keenan, Rose Mary Cagle Sister, James Brown, and Paul Brown. She is survived by her brothers Thomas Brown and John Brown, multiple nieces and nephews, as well as a myriad of friends across the country.
Due to the current situation regarding the Covid pandemic, Santa Monica Bay Cities Post 123 of the American Legion will be delaying a formal memorial service until such time as an in person service is possible. If you would like to hold a personal memorial until then, a manhattan cocktail, some classical music, and the Marines hymn would be appropriate.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a children’s cancer charity such as St Jude or Shriners Hospitals for Children. Please offer your memories of Anna in the comments section below.
Author: caLegion Contributor
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