Elaine C Brown, of Waterloo, Montana passed away on July 17, 2019, in Yuma, Arizona following complications from a recent surgery.   Elaine was born in Butte on June 21, 1938 to Joshua and Agnes (Lahey) Gilman.

      Elaine grew up in Butte along with her identical twin Lorraine and older brother and sister.   Elaine graduated from Butte High School in 1956 and from the University of Montana at Dillon with a degree in elementary education in 1965.   She earned a master’s degree in teaching later in her career and went on to teach grade school in Butte for more than 35 years.

      Elaine married Ahmad Al-Nouri in 1958 and had two sons, Sam and Joe Al-Nouri.   They meant the world to her and she was very proud of them both.   Elaine married Keith Brown in 1970 and they were looking forward to celebrating their upcoming 50th wedding anniversary.   Elaine enjoyed her life with Keith on their ranch in Waterloo where they raised horses and hay in the beautiful Jefferson Valley.  After retiring in 1998, Elaine & Keith began to spend their winters in Yuma AZ, where they enjoyed warmth and sunshine and also made many close friends.

      Elaine was a pillar of strength for her friends and family.   Her kind and compassionate nature was a blessing to all that knew her.   Elaine loved horses, her pets, music, reading, dancing and nature.   She was an avid a member of the Montana Quarter Horse Association.   She trained and showed Quarter Horses for many years.   She was also a member of the Butte Saddle Club and Butte’s own Petticoat Patrol.

      Elaine was preceded in death by her mother and father, her son Joseph Al-Nouri,   her brother Alfred Lee Gilman,   sisters Jane Basar and Lorraine MacPhee,   brother in-law John MacPhee and   sister in-law Chloe Gilman, niece Shirley Brookins and nephew Joe Basar.

      Elaine is survived by her husband Keith Brown,   son and daughter-in-law Sam and Maura Al-Nouri,   step-children Jeff (Sara) Brown and Vicki (Chris) Phillips,   brother James Gilman of Butte,   nephews Jim Gilman, Jr. and John Angus MacPhee,   nieces LaRae South and Catherine Edmisten and numerous great nieces and nephews.

      In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Elaine’s name to Butte Special Riders, c/o Kissock Horse Center, 1179 Beacon Rd, Butte, MT 59701.

      A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held on Saturday, August 17th at the McQueen Club at 1:00 p.m. Friends and family are invited to join in celebrating Elaine’s life.