Laura Brown, the Herb Woman of Winooski and proprietor of Purple Shutter Herbs, picked an auspicious day of celestial events to depart Earth: March 20, day of the vernal equinox, the Super Moon and a solar eclipse. Within a half-hour of the sun crossing the equator to renew the cycle of plant life in the northern hemisphere, Laura’s soul crossed over to new gardens unknown to us mortals.
The adopted daughter of Robert and Helen Brown of Bloomfield, Connecticut, Laura came to Vermont to be a bookseller but ended up in the company of many of the strong women herbalists of Vermont and elsewhere. Her formative experience came under the guidance of the joyful Rosemary Gladstar of Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Center, and Laura was eternally grateful for the herbal wisdom Rosemary imparted. Laura developed friendships with many in her apprenticeship class, and while time and events have loosened some of those bonds, she never forgot their close association. Laura also treasured her family in Israel, and she was looking forward to the birth of her beloved cousin Tomer’s first child.
Laura loved teaching classes in her Burlington and Winooski stores and up at Smugglers Notch. Many friends and customers fondly remember the urban herbal oasis she and her staff created outside her former Burlington location.
Laura’s friends can attest to her stubbornness, and that tenacity helped her live with the illness of her final three years. She was determined to celebrate her sixtieth birthday on July 25. ‘Twas not to be. In that spirit, a celebration of Laura’s life will be held on Saturday, July 25, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Burlington’s Saint John’s Club, 9 Central Avenue. Contact marypost@gmail.com for information.
Memorial donations can be made to Vermont Respite House, 99 Allen Brook Ln., Williston, VT 05495.
This article appears in Mar 25-30, 2015.
Friend, Teacher, Employer, Laura inspired and encouraged me continuously. She will forever hold a place in my heart and my memory of education; in her honor I will teach others and continue to spread plant wisdom to others ready to learn. “The difference between an herb and a weed is an opinion.” The sign hung in her shop on Main Street, and perfectly captured the humor with which she challenged this world’s conventional views. Thank you Laura.
I grew up with Laura in Bloomfield ,pleased to discover her in the shop on Main Street and that she shared my passion for the world of herbs. Over the years I was the lucky recipient, as were many, of her generosity, receiving much wisdom, stories, gifts of herbs, opportunity to teach mindfulness in her Winooski space, and friendship. Fond memories of junior high and high school, long chats about family history over ginger chews…and so much kindness. I was out of state when she announced she was returning to the Respite House and planned to see her the next Monday to say goodbye. Too late…Goodbye, Friend. There is an empty space here, but a joining to Spirit there. Xoxoxox
So many fond memories of Laura as a customer, fellow herbalist and teacher. So appreciated her ability to relate to folks on so many cultural levels, including the allopathic community which allowed her to share her knowledge with residents at the hospital. She was a clinical herbalist in her own right. She will be missed on so many levels. I best remember her for going to the store to purchase what I needed and staying long afterward listening to her latest stories. Bless you Laura, Cathy Dodge