Lee Hillman Brown

(1946-2016)

Lee Hillman Brown, of Seattle and West Sound, Orcas Island, rounded her last weather mark on May 27th and headed downwind. She left us without warning at the far too tender age of 70. Lee was born in El Paso, Texas, daughter to a war hero fighter pilot and a beautiful belle of the South. Donald and Lloyd Hillman ranged the Army Air and US Air Force bases that called on Col. Hillman’s leadership and with those travels Lee learned the skills of flexibility, friend-making, curiosity and enthusiasm which distinguished her all of her life. From Maine to Alaska, from Florida to California, the Hillman family with younger brother Steve in tow, pursued the military ideal as Don’s career demands carried them along to the next important assignment.

Lee attended four high schools but her last and most endearing was Mercer Island HS where she graduated in the class of 1963 and entered the University of Washington. She graduated in 1967 with a BS in Psychology with Honors. Following her marriage to Richard Wood that year, the couple settled in Beirut, Lebanon where he pursued a graduate degree and Lee taught high school mathematics at the American Community School, adding Arabic to her vocabulary. The addition of son Mark and a stint tutoring in Cairo followed before returning to Seattle. Lee completed her Masters of Education at the U of W in 1972 and began her career in planning and program evaluation for the Seattle Public Schools. The arrivals of Matthew and Nathanael added to Lee’s duties at home.

In 1988 Lee married Mike Brown, the love of her life, and the combined family then counted five sons with Chris and Ben Brown joining the troupe. Lee embraced this expanded family with the same gusto and caring she gave to her own boys. She also launched herself into sailing, feeding on Brownie’s and her father’s love of the water. Lee actively researched and directed the acquisition of Wings, their beautiful and capable cutter. In cruising nearby and then across the globe, she became expert at commanding, navigating and preparing for any ocean adventure. She was an enthusiastic participant alongside Brownie in all aspects of the Cruising Club of America.

Lee’s interests were encyclopedic. She was a painter, a singer and ukulele player, a connector, a navigator of all realms … oceanic and social … a fierce protector and supporter of her children and grandchildren, an organizer, an instigator, a philanthropist, an educator, a general contractor, a gourmet chef and always an irrepressible explorer of new places and questions. Lee’s spirit of curiosity made others wonder what she might find and so they would follow. She was the vital spark. At their Seattle base on Portage Bay or their magical camp on Double Island in West Sound, Lee always found another seat at the table for a visitor or a sailor or a new friend.

Her devotion to organizations was complete and the ones lucky enough to have Lee as their ally included Therapeutic Health Services, The Washington Women’s Foundation, ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists), The Seattle Yacht Club, and the Orcas Island Yacht Club.

Lee leaves her devoted husband Mike, sons and daughters–in-law Mark and Lisa Wood, Matthew and Kara Wood, Nathanael and Carmela Wood, Chris Brown and Heather Dyer, Ben Brown and Brittaney Chavarria, and her adored grandchildren Aidan, Brooke, Jonah, Charlotte, Ryan, Sarah, Connor, Sofia, Jasper, Jake, and Zoey. Others include her brother Steve, sister-in law Linda, cousins John Sabella and Louise Simpson, and nephews and nieces Topher, Kyra and Ailey. She is also survived by her ever-loyal laborador retriever Sailor.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you make a donation in Lee’s name to Therapeutic Health Services (http://ths-wa.org) or a charitable organization of your choice.