Ann R. (Quinlan) Brown

Cumberland - Ann R. (Quinlan) Brown, 90, of Cumberland, died Thursday, March 19, 2026, at The Holiday Retirement Home, Manville. She was the beloved wife of the late Paul E. Brown, Sr. and the late Norman C. Sauté.

Born in Central Falls, a daughter of the late Thomas and Frances (Mullarkey) Quinlan, she was raised in Central Falls, and resided in Providence, before moving to Cumberland fifty-five years ago. She was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School and attended Johnson and Wales Business School and Bryant College.

Mrs. Brown worked for many years for the Town of Cumberland, serving as the Director of Public Aid, and was the first Director of Senior Services, retiring in 1999. During her tenure, she founded the Town's Happy Basket Program, which distributed food and toys to less fortunate families during the holiday season. She also oversaw the completion of the first Cumberland Senior Center.

Ann was very active in the community for many years, serving on numerous committees and as a member of the Rotary Club of Cumberland-Lincoln, where she was a Past President and Paul Harris Fellow. In Rotary, she served as an Assistant Governor of District 7950 and was a major donor of Rotary International. She was a member of the National AARP, the National Council for the Aging, the Rhode Island Consortium on Aging, the Rhode Island Directors Association of Senior Citizens, and a charter member of Cumberland Chapter #4646 AARP. She was a Past Chairwoman and Board Member of the Cumberland Crime Stoppers for over twenty years, initiating the "I'm OK Program" for the elderly living in Senior Housing. For her tireless and unselfish efforts, she was recognized by the Cumberland Business Association as their "Citizen of the Year" in 1992.

Ann had a deep faith, and was a communicant of Saint John Vianney Church, was a member of the Knights of Columbus Women's Auxiliary and had worked as a secretary for the Diocese of Providence for the Most Rev. Louis Gelineau, and for Rev. Ronald Brasard.

She is survived by her two children, Colleen Brown and her husband Todd Robillard, and Paul E. Brown, Jr., all of Cumberland. She was the sister of the late Catherine T. Jacobs, Mary E. Callahan and Robert F. Quinlan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Saint John Vianney Church, 3655 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland. Family and friends are invited and may attend visiting hours on Friday from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory to the Hotel for Homeless Dogs in Cumberland, 44 Martin Street, Cumberland, RI 02864 would be appreciated.For directions or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.bellowsfuneralchapel.com.

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