Brownie Ebner, 104, died May 10, 2016.
Mrs. Ebner was born in Providence, R.I. but raised in New York City. Until she retired, her jobs were mostly secretarial, culminating with her position at a local Tucson high school. She was active in the Pioneer Women (the Labor Zionist women’s organization, now called Na’amat), where she was named “Woman of the Year.” After her marriage to Joseph (Joe) H. Ebner in 1934, she moved with him to his home base of Boston, Mass. When jobs became scarce in the East Coast, the family moved to Tucson for Joe’s employment at the AR-Jay restaurant, owned by Brownie’s uncle, Sam Kipnis (the first mayor of South Tucson). The Second World War brought them back to Massachusetts so Joe could work in defense before going overseas. In 1961 the family moved back to Tucson.
Mrs. Ebner was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, in 1992. She is survived by her son, Michael (Regine) Ebner, and daughter, Sarah (B.R.) Frieden; three granddaughters and one great-grandson.
Services were held in Evergreen Cemetery Chapel and graveside, with Cantor Avraham Alpert of Congregation Bet Shalom officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Bet Shalom, 3881 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ 85718; the Montessori Schoolhouse, 1301 E. Ft. Lowell Road, Tucson, AZ 85719; or to the charity of your choice.
