It is with profound sadness that we share the news that former FGI member Monica Brown, Senior Collections Assistant in the Department of Costume and Textiles at The Philadelphia Museum of Art has passed away. According to Dilys Blum, The Jack M. and Annette Y. Friedland Senior Curator of Costume and Textiles, “Monica was the heart and soul of our department. “
Brown taking a break from installing the Museum’s Schiaparelli exhibition in Paris in 2004.
Brown joined the museum in 1980 after graduating from Drexel University with a degree in fashion design and an award for Best Graduate Collection. She functioned as a one-woman department at the Museum from 1984 through 1987. Said Blum, “Her innate sense of style and understanding of contemporary fashion was evident in the impeccably dressed mannequins featured in our many costume exhibitions, including most recently Patrick Kelly: Runway of Love. Our loans were always the best dressed of any museum’s installations thanks to her magic touch. Monica was a wonderful friend, colleague and mentor to all of us in C&T and Textile Conservation and to the many interns, volunteers, and students who passed through our department. She will forever live in our hearts and in our exhibitions. “
Brown’s Home Going Service will be on Friday August 7th at Canaan Baptist Church, 5430 Pulaski Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19144. The church is located at Pulaski Avenue and School House Lane. Viewing is 9:00 AM -11:00 AM; Service at 11:00 AM; Repast at the church right after the service.
For those who wish to send condolences to her husband, Curtis Brown and children, Akinseye Brown, Monifa Brown Bryant, the following address can be used:
1456 Fitzwatertown Road
Willow Grove, PA 19090