Cynthia W. Brown

Cynthia W. (Conley) Brown, 84, of Methuen, MA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 11, 2021 at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen with her loving family at her side. She was the daughter of the late Edward and Dora (Richards) Conley.

A lifelong resident of the Merrimack Valley including Salem, NH, Cynthia was raised in Lawrence, MA and was a student of Saint Mary's grammar and high schools. She cared for her seven young children at home before she began her studies to become a License Practical Nurse. This was her vocation until she retired after forty-plus years of service. Many of these she worked at the Lawrence General Hospital in the operating room, which became a spring board to "On Call Surgical Services," a small business she co-owned, providing contract nursing services in a specialty area of nursing. Cynthia also spent many years working with children with medical needs, as a 1:1 nurse, which gave her much satisfaction.

As a devoted enthusiast of the American Civil War, Cynthia was very proud of her family heritage, which included a direct lineage to her great-grandfather, Private James Walsh, who served in the 6th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry. As such, Cynthia spent twenty-plus years as a member of the Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil for which she held the highest office of National President. She also had memberships in their Allied Orders including the Women's Relief Corp, Daughters of Union Veterans of Civil War, and Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic. Locally, she enjoyed her time and participation in the Salem, NH Historical Society. However, what especially pleased her was her membership in the American Legion, Auxiliary, Post 63, Salem, NH. There she served as in the office of Secretary/Treasurer for many years. Additionally, Cynthia was most proud to be appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a Kentucky Colonel.

Cynthia, in all her years, was an avid reader and thoroughly enjoyed crossword puzzles and of course her favorite TV gameshow, Jeopardy. She was very talented and spent a lot of her free time sewing, knitting, and crocheting. She sewed all of her American Civil War re-enactment wardrobe, which included dresses, coats, and petticoats. She also showered her family and friends with homemade afghans, sweaters, shawls and lap robes. Cynthia was extremely generous and was diligent in supporting her favored charities both voluntarily and financially, this included the gifts of many of her creative works.

Cynthia was predeceased by her husband, Ellsworth W. Brown in 2013; her sons, Robert T. Conley and Robert M. Cullen; as well as her brother, Edward F. Conley, Jr.

She will be greatly missed and is survived by her children, Rev. Edward Cullen and his wife Debra of Madisonville, TN, David Cullen and his wife Kathy of Plaistow, NH, Sheilah Judge and her husband John of Kannapolis, NC (formerly of Orange, MA), Mary Flynn and her husband David of Methuen, Cathleen Cain and her husband David of Plaistow, NH as well as thirty-one grandchildren and twenty-seven great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and her dear cousin, Alfred (Ted) Richards and his wife Marceline (Marcy).


Donations can be made in Cynthia's memory to Sisters of the Notre Dame, Province Office, 30 Jeffreys Neck Road, Ipswich, MA 01938. Your gift will support their mission and ministry and the caring for the retired sick and elderly Sisters.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visitation hours on Thursday, July 15, 2021, from 9:00-11:00 AM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street, Methuen. A funeral service will be celebrated in the funeral home chapel at 11:00 AM immediately following the visitation. Burial will follow in West Parish Cemetery in Andover.