Ann Artze Brown
March 28, 1931 ~ March 31, 2024
Ann Artze Brown was born in Louisville, KY, and always considered herself a proud Kentuckian, although she spent her adult life in Illinois and Florida. Her birth name was Ann Garr Hill. Through her mother, Ethelle Blankenbaker, she grew up as part of an extensive network of cousins, who remain in touch with each other to this day.
She was widowed three times. Her first husband was Edwin L. Punnett, with whom she raised a family. Her second husband was Orlando Artze. Her third husband was Robert Keyes Brown.
A graduate of Northwestern University, in the Chicago area, she served as a teacher in the well regarded Winnetka public school system. Many of her former students still remember her classroom fondly.
Her most recent home was in Archer, FL, in a cozy log house she loved to call her “cabin.” There, as part of a community where the famed blues and rock-and-roll musician Bo Diddley once lived, she and Bob Brown made treasured friends.
One such friend, Roberta Lopez, recently wrote this heartfelt memorial that was posted in Archer:
“Bob Brown passed away two years ago, and his beloved wife Ann Brown passed on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. They will truly be missed by the citizens of this community and their many friends who loved them.
“Bob and Ann Brown moved to Archer from Tampa, FL many years ago. They both were school teachers for many years and brought with them the volunteer spirit. Although they faced many challenges, they never stopped working to make Archer a better place to live.
“Bob and Ann worked on the Bo-Diddley committee when the City of Archer mayor, Roberta Lopez, and his family honored his legacy. The event was held in the Archer Elementary School on December 30, 2010. The City of Archer declared December 10 ‘Bo-Diddley Day.’
“Bob and Ann also worked with the Archer Community Restoration Committee and the City of Archer Sports Programs.
“We honor and will miss them for their kindness and contributions to this community.”
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You will truly be missed mom you was a excellent role model kept me in line and we had a bond like no other I love you so so much fly high beautiful queen love your grandson george
I will always keep you alive in my heart and in my memories, we will see each other again to enjoy a new adventure
It was an honor to enjoy this adventure by your side for all the years. I will remember you as a very intelligent, kind, loving, noble and kind woman. You have been one of the most beautiful things that could have happened to me in this great country, we will meet again to share a new adventure.
We will always remember the good times and how we became the best of friends with you and Bob. You were there when we just needed to talk or get advice. You knew how to uplift our spirit. We thank you for this.
May you and Bob rest in peace together.
Frank & Roberta
My Beloved 2nd cousin. So sad we won't have a our long, deep chats but glad your pain is over. What a life you had. Finally finishing your book was your end of life triumph. Hopefully, you're with Ian and he's taunting you from Heaven's air waves. Much Adoration and Love, cuz. Rest easy.
She was my beloved Aunt Ann, and her warmth and her lively mind were always much appreciated.
Ann and I met in the humanistic discussion group called the Search Party in Florida. She was interested in the ideas and lives of other people. Her intellect was brilliant up to the end, and her inquiring mind is missed. Being emotionally close to her this past year was a special learning experience for me—she was always a teacher. Not many can say they lived such a full life as Ann.
Ann and I are cousins, as her mother and my grandmother were sisters. Though I never met her face to face, we enjoyed visiting via phone calls. I loved our talks about family history and family stories. She was so interesting, insightful, witty, kind and full of life! I will miss our talks, dear Ann, but I will meet you face to face “on the other side”. God bless you, dear one!
Ana mi amiga, mi familia, lo más lindo en mi vida los últimos años.
I'm also one of the Blankenbaker descendants and a cousin to Ann. Her mother and my grandmother were sisters. After stopping to visit her and Bob on our trip to FL about 20 years ago, we corresponded by phone, email or by snail mail and she generously shared family stories that she remembered or were passed down by her mother. I always admired her upbeat attitude, her encouragement, and love. She genuinely cared about others, and up until the end always had a purpose and projects she wanted to accomplish. I already miss her so much!
Ann was an amazing and interesting woman that always wanted to learn new things. She finally reached her goal after working so hard for some years by completing her book, Kentucky Justice, this was very important to her.
She was blessed in meeting her earthly Angel, Edgar, who took care of her in her later years and she loved dearly, she always told me they had a special connection and indeed they did, I witnessed it first hand. She was truly blessed by having him in her life.
Ann will be remembered as a intelligent, kind and interesting woman who I had many wonderful memorable conversations with and enjoyed her company.
Ana was my stepmother and I was so grateful for the way my Dad and Ana built a life together. I appreciated the way they lived boldly by making their own way to and through Archer, getting involved and building friendships that they both cherished so much. Ana was so loving and kind to my father and always wanted him to live a full joyous life together, which they did. I will miss her curious and insatiable desire to keep learning and discussing all of the interesting and deep things life has to offer. I am so glad she is no longer in pain but will be missed. Love and prayers to all who knew and loved he
Where to start? I guess it had to be 1978. We had known each other for 45+ years and I can remember them all. You have gone through so many names to be called over the years but to me you have always been Mrs. Punnett. You gave me an education through school and through life. You were someone I called every month or two for the last decade or so. You were always one to never “tell me” but in your way “guide me”. You taught me to always look back at where you are. Find something you didn’t know about where you might be. Never stop learning. You have always been my cheerleader through all my good and bad times.
– You sat next to my mom whooping and hollering from the balcony at my high school graduation.
– You followed me throughout my Navy travels always asking what was next? Have I learned anything about the history of the area?
– You told me about talking with my mom when she was dying with cancer and that my mom asked you to be my boys surrogate grandmother as my mom would be passing. You took those reigns and your grandchildren, Nick & Jordan loved having you in their lives. Ironically you would marry Bob and add “Brown” as your new last name. How perfectly fitting.
– Your notes you would send through the year, always at the right time and reason were always including wisdom that never failed to be meaningful.
I will always love you Mrs. P
Martin
I knew Ann as Mrs. Punnett, my 3rd grade teacher. She was the greatest teacher I ever had and one of the greatest people I've met. I think of her and her class often. I'm grateful to have known her and to have been one of Punnetts' Pioneers. Her curiosity and love of life were infectious and inspirational. She was a wonderful person.
Ms Punnett was an amazing woman. I lived in her Willow Rd house after her, she lived across the street from my grandparents, dad, and aunts (the Lazar family) while my dad was growing up. When I attended Greeley for a few years she stopped by my 3rd grade classroom and taught us about Roanoke Island and I was able to reconnect my dad with her. We met near Christmas at her house that year, in the 90s, and ate mince meat pies and she showed us all the artifacts she collected which could only be described as a mini museum. She was a fascinating story teller and even though I had brief encounters with Ann she was someone I think of as a reason I became a teacher. May her name be for a blessing to all who new her.
Oh, Mrs. Punnett, I have always cherished my memories of 3rd grade at Greeley School with you as my light and my guide. You were hands down the most inspirational teacher I ever had. I credit my lifelong curiosity and drive to your enthusiastic inspiration as a teacher. That year seriously impacted me for the better. You always knew how to make me feel extra special and seen as the unique person that I am. You will truly be missed by so many. ❤️
Ann was a former teacher at the school where I work as principal. In 2019, she wrote me a letter that turned into a series of letters between the two of us. When cleaning out my office, I came across her letters and decided to write one last note before I moved on to a new school district. I was saddened to discover that she recently passed away. In our short correspondence, Ann's sense of humor came through. I learned much about "Punnett's Pioneers" and the cabin that she lived in in Archer. Thank you, Ann, for your kindness and thoughtfulness. RIP