Sylvia C. (Clare) Brown

Sylvia Clare Brown, 84, of Cicero, passed away Friday March 4, 2022.  She was born in London, England to Earnest Robert and Florence Lydia Clare (nee Todd). Sylvia left Oxford, England in 1966 and traveled across the Atlantic to New York City on the QE2. Making her way to Indianapolis, Sylvia met Christopher van Dyck Brown. They were married September 7, 1968. Sylvia along with her husband founded the Indianapolis Festival Music Society, which is now known as the Indianapolis Early Music Festival.

In 1977, Sylvia and Chris relocated to Lake Forest. During her life, Sylvia was very active in The First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, where she sang in the Adult Choir. She was also a member of The Lakemister Ringers.

Sylvia was employed with Lake Forest College and Lake Forest School of Management, eventually becoming the Program Director for Ragdale, an artist’s community in Lake Forest, until her retirement in 2002. She served as a Stephen’s Minister and was a member of Toastmaster's International.

In her late forties, Sylvia took to the stage and appeared in many local theater productions in Lake Forest, IL, and Antioch, IL (PM&L). She played leading roles in Once Upon a Mattress, Into the Woods, and Blyth Spirit.

Sylvia was gifted and a creator of beautiful things, such as exquisite miniature Christmas trees with handmade ornaments, floral decoupage, crocheted blankets, needlepoint,t and embroidery. Most importantly, she was also a beloved friend and mom, earning the appropriate title "Queen of Hearts".

In addition to her parents, Sylvia was preceded in death by her brother, Douglas Clare; and husband, Christopher van Dyck Brown.

Survivors include her loving daughters, Kipleigh Brown-Phillips of Glendale CA, Neilia Brown-McGuinness of Noblesville, IN, and Alisa Brown-Steady of Fox Lake, IL.

In Sylvia's honor, guests are encouraged to wear florals and or bright cheerful colors to her Celebration of Life Service held on Friday, March 18, 2022 at 3 pm in Forest Park Inn, The Overlook Room, 701 Cicero Road, Noblesville, IN 46060.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Sylvia, to the Humane Society for Hamilton County, 10501 Hague Rd, Fishers, IN 46038. Envelopes will be available at the service.

Arrangements entrusted to Bussell Family Funerals, Westfield-Carmel.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sylvia C. (Clare) Brown, please visit our floral store.