Anne Merkelbach Brown, Ph.D. of Alderson, WV, died on Aug. 8, 2025, after battling cancer. Anne was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Merkelbach, of Montclaire, NJ, and is survived by her two brothers Don and Dick Merkelbach. She passed away at Lewisburg Healthcare Center in Ronceverte, WV.
She got her bachelor’s degree in theater from Northwestern University, her master’s degree in psychology from George Williams College, and her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from The Illinois Institute of Technology. After her marriage ended to Jonathan Brown she decided to keep the last name of Brown for professional reasons.
After receiving her bachelor’s degree she worked as a fashion model in Illinois. After receiving her masters degree she worked as a crisis intervention worker in a Chicago hospital, and after receiving her doctorate degree she ran a child welfare program in Illinois that provided intervention in cases of abuse and neglect. She left Illinois and moved to Virginia. Then she found what she called her “heart space” and moved to her farm in West Virginia. At first she taught in the local college and then she raised organic produce, eggs, and pork which she sold locally at farmer’s markets, and to individual purveyors.
Anne was much loved in her community, and will be missed by her many friends and her family.
A memorial service will be held at the Alderson Farmers Market pavilion Thursday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements. Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com
