Greeta Elaine Knight Brown Obituary (1923 - 2012)

Dr. Greeta K. Brown passed away in her sleep and was found peacefully at rest in her bed on June 10, 2012. She was thankful to have been loved by many, beginning with her birth on July 20, 1923, to Frank Knight and Iva Foredyce Knight in Clarkston, Washington. She was welcomed into the world by a large, extended family in the Asotin and Nez Perce Counties, who taught her to sing, play fiddle, chord piano, and love music. Her parents taught her to harmonize and sing. Her first concert took place at the Grange when she was five years old, chording along while her relatives played the fiddle. Her music career began with singing and dancing at the Grange and was furthered during her time at Charles Francis Adams High School in Clarkston (Class of 1941). Her educational accomplishments included a bachelor's in music and theology from Holy Names College, a master's from the University of Idaho, and a doctorate from the University of Oregon. She was passionate about all vocal music, ranging from opera to cowboy songs, and everything in between. At the doctoral level, her emphasis shifted from performance to ethno musicology and the use of music in promoting language learning. She wrote text books, developed and designed educational curriculum, and mentored teachers. She was convinced that music was the universal expression of God's own language. Her varied careers included picking cherries and fruit packing, driving trucks at harvest, waiting tables, nurse's aide, school choir teacher, university professor, concert performer, and being at the forefront in the field of ethno musicology through her work with the Inupiaq people of Alaska. Her Eskimo name translated to Happy Lady. Her accomplishments as an educator led her to be recognized and listed in Who's Who of America, Who's Who of American Women, Outstanding Educators of America, International Dictionary of Biography (London and Paris), and Who's Who of Distinguished Women of the World. Her life centered on developing her spirituality and seeking to know and understand God. To further her spiritual development, she entered a cloistered convent after graduating from Holy Names College and she spent 3 years in near-complete silence. Returning to the world, she never stopped seeking or being impacted by that experience. She joined the Baha'i religion and was most recently active in the local assembly in Ogden. Her social activism led to her becoming a footnote in legal history for championing equal wages for women in a lengthy battle that ended up costing her career, friends, and finances. She also took in at risk foster children and gave support to peace groups. She proudly considered herself an activist, serving on as director of the Women's Resource Center in Anchorage, and speaking at the International Unity Days in Juarez and El Paso. She was a member of the International Platform Society. She was a sought after speaker at many different churches and political groups. She was married briefly to Emett Samuel Ole Brown and had one daughter, Mary Catherine. She is survived by her Sister, Bekki Ann Hove Lukens of Las Vegas; Nieces, Kristine and Katy; Daughter and Son-in-law, Mary Catherine and Ed Barker; Grandchildren, Matthew and Patricia Nelson, Benjamin and Kristen Nelson, Andrew Nelson, Erin and Rebecca Barker; Great grandchildren, Iva, Henry, Cecily, Jonathan, Zachary, Nicole, Gregory, and Joshua; Foster child, Louise Knight; Uncle, Myrton Foredyce; and one lifelong friend, Mary Waters. Primary funeral services will be held in Ogden, UT. Later, in Anchorage, AK, a memorial service will be held at the St. Innocent Cathedral. VisitationFarr West Stake Center 2132 West 2700 North Farr West, UT June 16, 2012 12:00 PM - 1:45 PM ServiceFarr West Stake Center 2132 West 2700 North Farr West, UT June 16, 2012 2:00 PM CemeteryMyers Evergreen Memorial Park 100 Monroe Blvd. Ogden, UT 84404 June 16, 2012