Marian Elizabeth (Brown) Johanknecht

Marian Elizabeth (Brown) Johanknecht passed away peacefully on July 30, 2025 in Monroe North Carolina, with her daughters at her side. She was born in Scottsville, New York on September 8, 1932, daughter to the late Ned C.L. Brown, Frances Edmonds Brown and stepmother Jean E. Brown. She is also preceded in death by her four brothers – Larry, Arthur, Burt and Robert Brown.

Marian grew up in Scottsville and was valedictorian of her class at Scottsville High School. She attended St Lawrence University in Canton, NY and graduated in 1954 with a degree in Physics. She moved to Rochester, NY and took a job at Kodak in the Research Laboratory as a Physicist Technician.

She met Richard Johanknecht Jr. at Sunday Night Club, a social group through Lake Ave. Baptist Church. They were married for 25 years and had two daughters.

In the 1970s, Marian volunteered with Threshold (an organization serving disadvantaged inner-city youth) and with Prison Action Group (an organization serving prisoners). In 1984, she began working for Monroe County in the Social Services Department – first as an examiner, then in Child Protective Services, and finally as a Probation Officer. Social work was definitely her calling and she found it very rewarding. She retired at age 72.

She lived in Greece, NY until 2016 when she moved to Monroe, NC to be closer to her daughter Laura and her family.

Marian was a lifelong lover of nature. She also loved traveling and photography. She traveled all over the U.S. and world, including Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Europe and Africa. She took thousands of photos, usually of nature, birds and animals. Many of them were displayed at Kodak photography shows.

She is survived by daughters Karen Chappell (John), and Laura Komasara (Ed), and grandchildren Julie Komasara, David Komasara, Danny Chappell and Megan Chappell.

Private services will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com

Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave, Monroe, NC 28112 is honored to be entrusted to care for the Johanknecht Family.