Barbara Anne Brownlee, 82

It is with sadness that I announce the passing of my grandmother, Barbara Anne Humbach Brownlee, at the age of 82. Anne showed great resiliency after surviving two separate strokes over the last few years, but passed away peacefully in her Hayden, Idaho, home on May 19, 2026. It is truly a blessing that my grandfather, Willis Brownlee, was able to so lovingly care for her and be home with her when she passed. 

Anne was born to Frank and Chloe Humbach on July 22, 1943, in Wendell, Idaho. Anne is survived by three brothers, Michael, Thomas and David, and two sisters, Elizabeth and Mary. She attended Jerome High School, where she met Willis Brownlee at the age of 14. Their love for each other grew over many family skiing and camping trips to Redfish Lake, Alturas, and Thousand Springs (Annie was an excellent slalom skier!). They graduated high school in 1961, were married Sept. 7, 1962, and celebrated the birth of their son, Todd, in 1963. They remained married for 64 years. 

Anne, Willis and Todd moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1966, where they continued their love for the outdoors. They were blessed with the birth of a daughter, Christine, in 1968, during a historically harsh winter. They spent summers on the water, boating, fishing and waterskiing. Winters were spent snowmobiling in the mountains. Many might remember Annie as “the office lady” at what was then the newly constructed Canfield Jr. High. Many will remember her working at Les Bois Horse Track in Boise, Idaho, during a period when Willis was stationed there as captain of the Idaho State Police. Eventually, they returned to Hayden, Idaho, which they always considered home. In later years, their family expanded further with the addition of me, Jordan, as their first granddaughter in 1992, followed by grandson Trevor in 1994 and granddaughter Lauren in 2000. I am grateful that she was able to meet my daughter, Petra (2026), her first great-grandchild, before passing. 

My grandmother, Annie, was a very direct person and not hesitant to speak her mind. Family members were often reminded of this. The attribute that reminds me most of her, however, was her ability to bake. Chocolate beet cake, cherry pie with cherries from the orchard, and zucchini bread were my favorite. She would also make me a personal box of mint fudge every Christmas after she figured out that I would hoard it all for myself, along with the extra-seasoned pieces of Chex mix! Annie also baked me Barbie birthday cakes, using an actual Barbie doll and shaping the cake as her dress. Annie was also highly skilled in sewing. I still remember her creating beautiful pieces that I wore to grade school. In addition, she created an entire wardrobe for my Barbie collection, which she would always ask to see. Anticipating the request, I would always have them ready to display. 

Annie loved animals, especially her many dogs. Boxers and Boston bull terriers were her favorites, and seeing one always reminds me of her. She once yelled at me to come outside to see a horse's birth. I will never forget her face when I exclaimed, “Annie, I didn’t know you could run!” Resonating impressions of her on my life include a love of ABBA (particularly Waterloo, Fernando, and Nina, Pretty Ballerina, which I asked her to replay so many times in her Bronco that I am positive the tape disintegrated!) Halloween and Christmas decorations, and the ability to be bold.

I will miss her, but I’m content knowing that Annie is at peace, reunited with loved ones who were waiting for her. 

English Funeral Chapel was entrusted with her care.