About Carmen “Menchie” Brown

Carmen Brown was born Carmensita Pedromo Señora on March 29th, 1950 in Bicol, Albay, Philippines. Her father was Moises Señora and her mother was Appolonia Pedromo. Her siblings are Norma Señora, Bella Señora, Efren Señora, Alberto Señora, Emily Señora, and Jun Señora. Her family owned a rice field next to the Mayon Volcano and she said her favorite thing was waking up early to get a great view of the volcano.

When she was a little older, she moved to Manila and lived with her aunt, Aurelia Magsaysay, who was a principal. She helped out in the school cafeteria where her aunt worked at serving food to the students. In her late teens, she worked at Ligao Cantina with her cousin Annabelle. Her aunt, Ampie, owned it and they had a lot of fond memories there with her cousins. On June 28th, 1975, she had her first child, Alfred Pangilinan, who was raised by her cousin, Lory Pangilinan. Later, she would work on the Subic Bay Base at the Things Tagalog at the Navy Exchange Annex and meet John Brown in February 1980. Carmen would later marry John Brown at St. Columban Church, Olongapo City, Philippines on October 20th, 1981.

In 1982, Carmen and John moved to Bremerton, Washington, and had their first child together, Michelle, who was born on September 28th. They all eventually moved to San Diego, California when John got stationed at the Naval Base in Point Loma and lived in Chula Vista before moving to Point Loma. In 1986, the couple had their second child, Jeanette on September 23rd.

From 1986 to 1998, Carmen and her family lived in Gateway Military Housing. While living in the military housing, Carmen Brown was a second mom to many of the children who lived there. She worked as a waitress on the Naval Training Center San Diego helping to support her family but also made time to babysit many of the children there who considered the Brown family home a safe space for them to go because Carmen always made anyone who set foot in her home feel like they were cared for and welcomed.

In the early 1990s, Carmen attended Glad Tidings (now People’s Church) where she was an active part of the congregation and made many friends through the years. At Glad Tidings she became the godmother to many children who attended the church such as Veronica Forbes, Barbara “Barbie” Watkins, Edward Gonzalez, Brian Ouellette, and Elisha Larson.

From 1998-2006, Carmen continued working many different jobs on base. She was a caterer at the Admiral Kidd Club as well as a barista at the Cafe 549 at the Wharf. She also served food at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, at the old Food Court there. She was a very hard worker and made sure her family was always taken care of. She made a lot of friends while working and many of them remember her for her jokes and beautiful smile.

From 2006-2021, she spent most of her time retired spending time with her family and friends. She made so many people happy with her laughter, comedic antics, cooking, and ability to show warmth and compassion for anyone she met. She made everything special and those close to her have so many wonderful and happy memories with her especially during the holidays. She also was a wonderful grandmother to her grandchildren, Seth Pangilinan and Harru Tyler Kane Pangilinan, whom she loved so much and would spend many hours on the phone, video calling to the Philippines to reach them whenever she had the chance.

On September 14th, 2021, she passed away due to a complication with COVID surrounded by family and friends. To her husband, John Brown, she will always be his dream girl and the love of his life. To her children, she will always be remembered as their best friend, comforter, and protector. She will be forever in their hearts and will never be forgotten.

Carmen is survived by her husband, John Brown, her son, Alfred Pangilinan, her eldest daughter, Michelle Gilly, her youngest daughter, Jeanette Brown, her eldest grandson, Seth Pangilinan, and youngest grandson, Harru Pangilinan. She is also survived by her siblings, Norma Señora, Alberto Señora, Emily Señora, Efren Señora and Jun Señora.