Murray Brook Frog – Rest in Peace

By Margo Frink

Caption: I tried to muster up a smile from Brandy when I took this photo. This is the best I could get out of her. It was taken at Durhamville Day in August of this year.

The world lost one great lady this week. Brandyann Phelps, town of Vienna historian, author of several books, reporter and columnist died near her daughter and grandchildren in Morgan City, La. Thursday Oct. 29. She was 63 years old.

I first met Brandy about two years ago when I attended a Vienna Town Board meeting. I was reporting on the meeting, as was she. We sat at this little table together with our recorders and notebooks spread out on the small space exclusively for reporters. She talked pretty much through the entire meeting, which gave new meaning to the phrase “southern hospitality.” But I liked her right from the beginning. She was personable and down to earth, all the qualities I find endearing in a person.

I became familiar with her Murray Brook Frog, the weekly column she wrote for several publications. Many of her columns can be found on this web site. Just recently the Frog celebrated its 100^th birthday. She’s also the author of an historical novel “Brandy of the Bayou,” and two historical books, “Sylvan Beach and the Rock,” and “Around Sylvan Beach.”

Brandy thoroughly enjoyed Vienna town history and made it a personal mission to preserve as much of that as possible. She was proud of her roots there.

Over the past couple of years I read everyone of her columns and upon reading them I could almost picture her delving over books and trampling through cemeteries to learn as much about the people as she could to educate herself and then share that history with the world. It’s a painstaking job but time and time again she told me her reward was sharing that information. Her latest mission was to have “Sophie’s Cemetery” restored and began a fund so that someday that will be possible. Nicol Baker, Vienna town supervisor told me the town of Vienna is collecting contributions in Brandy’s memory for this fund. I think Brandy would have liked that.

Brandy was also thrilled to report to me when the town was given space in a church to house a museum for all of its history. Nicol told me the town would also like to dedicate that museum in Brandy’s honor. Brandy would have been honored by this I’m sure.

A memorial service will be held for Brandy on Monday Nov. 1 at 1:30 p.m. at Vienna Town Hall. Friends and family of Brandy are invited to come and share their grief and stories with the town. Nicol said that Brandy has been an asset to the town and hearing of her death has devastated them. “We are still in shock,” she said.

I am so glad I got to know Brandy, if only for just a short time. Our relationship began as professional but it didn’t take long before we ended our conversations with, “love ya.” She had a kind heart and never a mean word for anyone. I’m going to miss her but I know she’s ok because she told me that when the Lord called her she would be ready. Her faith was a big part of who she was and helped her through any tough times. I learned that about her early on.

Brandy was born Sept. 1, 1946. She called North Bay home but for many years she lived in Berwick, La. She leaves behind her lifetime partner Garry R. White of Camden; a daughter Tawney White of Morgan City, La.; two grandchildren, Monique and Mario also from Louisiana; a daughter, Arika of Berwick, La. and many, many friends who loved her.

5 Comments on "Murray Brook Frog – Rest in Peace"

Charles Page on Sat, 31st Oct 2009 8:50 am

Thank you for telling us about Brandy, even if it was terrible news.
We had become good friends.
I urge everyone to contribute to her cemetery restoration/memorial fund.
It would please her, I know.

Mario Gross on Sat, 31st Oct 2009 9:49 am

I would like to start off by saying you ,Margo Frink, have writin a good article in the memory of my grandmother. I cried for some parts but laughed for others. she was indeed an awesome woman. She will be missed a lot down south here. I am Mario gross one of her grandchildren, i thank all the town folk up there that have in the past treated my grandmother with respect, and showed her love. She has lived a short live compared to the majority of our family. but the life in which she has lived has been worth it. she has done many fasinating things with her life. Towards the end she had started to pick up writing again and she fell in love! when she was working on her first book, (while she still lived down south here) she and i would stay up late some nights and talk about it. during those moments i truely seen the enjoyment and love she has found with writing. And with those memories of seeing her so happy i will remember her greatly! anyways i am getting carried away here. I will end this by saying, have a blessed day.

Sincerely, Mario Gross Jr
Grandson of Brandy Ann Phelps

David L. Sadler on Sat, 31st Oct 2009 1:22 pm

Brandyann was an excellent town
historian and will be greatly missed
at the state historian conferences.

David L. Sadler
Association of Public Historians of
New York State Trustee & Registered
Historian
Village of Canastota Historian
Town of Stockbridge Historian
Town of Lenox Research Historian
Director of Fryer Memorial Museum

Monique C. Gross on Sun, 1st Nov 2009 1:20 pm

I wanted to say thank you for what u had wrote about my nana. My brother had said so many great things about my nana in his comment. She was a great woman and loved everyone. She never met a stranger. She will be remembered as a great mother, sister, daughter, friend and more importantly my nana. I know she is watching over all of us. Thank you again for everything ya’ll had done for her in the past. And more importantly what ya’ll are doing now to remember such a wonderful woman. thank you from the bottom of heart.

Monique C. Gross
BrandyAnn Phelps Granddaughter

Daysey Wall on Tue, 22nd Dec 2009 8:22 am

I never met Brandy, but this past 6 months I have been E-mailing her about my Great Garandmother “Sophie Kussmaul”. She seemed so interested in our family and getting the Cemetery fixed up. My mother and I were planing a trip from Oregon and Georgia the first of the year to come and meet her. The last E-mail I received from her was on 10/07/09. She had told me she would be leaving to go to Louisiana Where her Daughter lived to get some tests done and she would keep in touch. I never heard from her again. I contacted the Paper she wrote for and they told me the sad news. I am so sorry for the Loss of a Great person….
Daysey D Wall
Great Grandaughter of “Sophie”

Murray Brook Frog – Rest in Peace

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