Cora L. Brown, 104 PORTLAND -- Cora L. Brown, 104, passed peacefully at her residence on Nov. 18, 2014. She was born on Aug. 21, 1910, in Blaine, the daughter of Ralph B. and Ella Crabb Tompkins. She attended schools in Aroostock County and was a graduate of Presque Isle Normal School. Cora was an extraordinary lady who devoted her entire adult life in service to others. It was at the height of the depression, after teaching fourth grade a few years in Aroostock County, she moved to Portland and tuned into the needs of many in the community. She became a saint-like advocate in reaching out to the homeless, weary and the broken- hearted. Even before the days of the bread lines, Cora was on the scene as a friend to those with empty out-stretched hands. After more than 75 service filled years Cora Brown was still actively involved in the welfare of those in need and heeded their calls right up to the end of her passing. During these many years she had several careers which included working as a dietician at Maine General Hospital, operated a Woodford's Corner restaurant before finally fitting people for hearing aids in her shop on Congress Street, She had become a successful business women and owner for 28 years of Hearing Aid Institute of New England. She was an active church member, rose to top leadership in many organizations and became in involved in community affairs, even working on the Charter Commission of the City of Portland. Cora served alone for over 60 years as agent for the Widow's Wood Society which granted financial aid to needy people in Portland for fuel assistance. Cora served without interruption since 1936 in the Portland Diet Mission assisting needy people with food, clothing and rent. This organization was renamed the Cora L. Brown Foundation in July of 1997 in her honor. Cora was involved in Chestnut Street Methodist Church since the 1950s in various capacities which included chairperson of the Welfare Committee, past president of the United Methodist Women of CSMC, past president of Pastoral Relations Committee, and active as a Soup Kitchen volunteer. Cora was past president of the Church Women United of Maine. In 1993, she was presented the Church Women's International Award of the Valiant Women honoring her for outstanding services to church and community. Cora served as a director of the First Radio Parish Church of America since mid 1970 and was past president of the Board of Trustees. Cora was very active in the Republican Party since 1936, having served as president and Parliamentarian of the Portland Republican Women, member of the Maine Federation of Republican Women, member of County and City Republican Committees, president of the Lincoln Club Portland and was presented the Lincoln Club Citizen of the Year Award in 1994. She was nicknamed 'Mrs. Republican' by friends and constituents. Cora was a member of the Anchor Rebekah Lodge #146 serving as Noble Grand, member of Eastern Star Deering Chapter, and a member of the Amaranthe. She received her 50 year membership certificates for all three organizations. She was a member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, Past Worthy Priestess of the Rugged Cross Shrine, member of Deering Grange, Victoria Mansion, American Association of Retired Persons and past president of the Business & Professional Women's Club of Greater Portland. She served as Parliamentarian of the Women's Literary Union. She was a certified parliamentarian through membership in the Thomas B. Reed Unit of National Association of Parliamentary Law. Since 1935, Cora served faithfully as warden at voting polls in Portland. In 2003 she was honored by the American Red Cross. In celebration of Women in History month in 2004, the Portland Women Christian Temperance Union named Cora 'Angel of Mercy in Today's World.' Kelly Bouchard, staff writer for the Portland Press Herald paid tribute to Cora in the Nov. 3, 2003, issue saying 'Cora Brown was a piece of living history. She was the sixth child of a Baptist minister and widow of Walter Brown, an Oakhurst Dairy milk wholesaler, whom she married in 1935. They had one child, a son, who died shortly after birth. Walter passed on in 1950 of a bad heart at 40 years of age.' One wall of Cora's home office in her well- kept comfortable 100 year old home on Brackett Street was covered with plaques and framed awards given in recognition of her outstanding service in the community. To name a few: The Jefferson Award, the Lion's Club Award and the Kiwanis Club Distinguished Service Award of 1998. As a Republican, she displayed a fine collection of elephants in her office. Although the word big would easily describe her collection, it was small compared to the size of the compassion she held in her heart for mankind. You most likely have heard the saying, 'If a big task has once begun, never leave it 'till it's done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all.' This saying exemplifies Cora's life. She gave willingly of her time, talent, and donations to this community and her generosity has reached out not only to those in Portland, throughout Maine, but across this great nation of ours and around the world. Cora was a dignified, devout, refined lady with a strong work ethic and determination to get the job done right. She knew the meaning of 'for I was hungry and ye gave me meat. I was thirsty and ye gave me drink. I was a stranger and ye took me in.' (St. Matthew 25:35) The world would be a better to live if there were more people Like Cora L. Brown. Cora is survived by two nephews, Earl Savage and his wife Sally, Wayne Tompkins and his wife Pat, one niece, Sandra DuPrey, and other nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may call at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland on Friday from 2-4 p.m. A funeral will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. from the funeral home. Burial will be in Forest City Cemetery, Lincoln Street, South Portland on Monday at 11 a.m. For further information and to sign Cora's guestbook, please visit www.jonesrichhutchins. If desired contributions may be made in her memory to: The Cora L. Brown Foundation or the Widow's Wood Society Care of Tim Griffin, H.M. Payson One Portland Square, 5th Floor, Union Street Portland, Maine 04101