In Memoriam: May Brown, 1919-2019

A salute to a pioneer for our community

May Brown, C.M., O.B.C., MPE ’61, LLD ’87

It is with great sadness that the School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education announces the passing away of May Brown (1919-2019) at the age of 99. Born in Hardisty, Alberta and raised in Surrey, BC, May became a significant and highly respected force in sport and outdoor education locally, provincially, and nationally. A faculty member in the UBC School of Physical Education and a revered alumna of the School of Kinesiology, as well as a leader in sport and outdoor recreation, May made significant contributions to both the University of British Columbia and Canada over her more than 60-year career.

May taught in the School of Physical Education (now the UBC School of Kinesiology) from 1947 until 1955, returning in 1961 to complete her Masters degree in Physical Education. As the first hired coach of the UBC women’s field hockey team, she is remembered for instilling a sense of team loyalty and accountability that continues to the present day. May was also a pioneer in the promotion and organization of synchronized swimming in BC, influencing and coaching some of UBC’s young swimmers during the 1950s and ’60s. She was a true advocate and force in UBC sports, with both women’s field hockey and synchronized swimming. In her honour, UBC created the May Brown Trophy for the graduating female athlete of the year. As UBC Associate Professor Emeritus, Dr. ‘Bim’ Schrodt, said when asked about her former UBC teacher and coach, “May Brown was wonderful! The sun rose and set on her.”

May was also passionate about outdoor education and its role in supporting active living for young people. Together with her husband, Lorne Brown, who was also a UBC faculty member focused upon health education, they founded Camp Deka boy’s camp in BC’s interior, which they directed for 15 years.

In 1987, May was conferred an honorary doctorate by UBC.  In 2000, as a token of her significant contributions to female sport and physical education, May received a UBC Alumni Achievement Award, and in 2007 she was inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame. She was the first woman to be awarded the BC Sports Hall of Fame’s W.A.C. Bennett Award in 2012 for her contributions to the sport of field hockey, especially her ability to motivate her players, and earn their respect and admiration. She continued to maintain a strong connection to UBC athletics, serving as a member of the UBC Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee and UBC Athletics Council, and through ongoing support of the Big Block Club and women’s field hockey team.

Beyond UBC, May had a distinguished political career, saying she was motivated to join politics in part by the poor state of Vancouver’s playing fields. She was elected to the Vancouver Park Board and served as city councillor for 10 years. For her years of municipal service, a Vancouver park was named in honour of May and her husband Lorne, who also served as Park Commissioner. The May and Lorne Brown Park is located at Hornby and Beach Avenue. In 1992, she was awarded The Freedom of the City of Vancouver, the highest honour granted by the City of Vancouver. Her love of the outdoors and physical activity drew her to appointments on the board of directors of the YWCA (where she received the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award), the Canadian Camping Association, the National Advisory Council of Fitness and Amateur Sport, Sport BC, the Vancouver Community Arts Council, and the Victoria Commonwealth Games Society.

In 1986, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada and in 1993 was inducted into the Order of British Columbia for her model community involvement, with the notation that “her contributions over the years, in teaching, physical education, sports and public service are a matter of record to British Columbia.” Her support of women in sport and public life earned her enormous respect and admiration.

A celebration of the life of May Brown will be held at VanDusen Botanical Garden on April 10th at 2 p.m.