This month we are pleased to introduce you to the Browns: Abby, Josh, Emma and Joseph (Joey). For Abby and Josh, like so many others, the pandemic provided the push they needed to return from the city to the suburbs. With its beautiful rolling hills, Northeast foliage and wonderful neighbors, a home in Marple near the reservoir was the perfect fit.
Abby grew up in Philadelphia and attended Perelman Jewish Day School and then Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (formerly Akiba Hebrew Academy) for high school. Her graduating class only had 58 students, so when it came time to choose a college she wanted to find something with a small environment like she was used to. She chose Muhlenberg College for its small class size and fairly short commute from her home. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Women’s Studies and Religion Studies. After college Abby decided to pursue a degree in Social Service. “I’ve always loved helping people,” she said. After earning an MSS in Social Service from The Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, she began working with people with mental health and substance use disorders until she decided to stay home full-time to care for her children.
Abby is also a Real Estate entrepreneur. While she was growing up, Abby’s parents encouraged her to participate in their real estate business from a young age. It wasn’t long until Abby independently bought and managed her own investment properties. “I’m very grateful to my parents for allowing me to learn the business,” Abby recalled. “Not only did it give me a sense of independence, the skill set I learned was invaluable.”
Although Josh was born in New York City and lived in Texas briefly, he spent most of his childhood and high school years in Newtown Square. A Marple Newtown High School grad, Josh was active in the band while he was a student there. Josh furthered his education at the University of Pittsburgh where he became a die-hard Pitt sports fan. “I was a huge fan of Pitt and enjoyed attending their football and basketball games while I was a student there,” he recalled.
The son of a physician and chiropractor, Josh said the medical field was in his blood. So after graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, he went on to earn his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, PA. For the past eight years, he’s been an Emergency Department (ED) physician. “The ED is like being a short-order cook but with much higher stakes. I thrive helping people in a high-stress, quick-paced environment,” he said. In addition to his job as an ED doctor, Josh also serves as the Medical Director of Marple Township Ambulance Corps, is a medical-legal consultant and is a Freelance Event Physician at Lincoln Financial Field.
Abby said that Josh often encounters people on the worst day of their lives. “Sometimes, the encounters end with lightness and relief when people rush to the ER to be given the good news that there is nothing to be concerned about,” she explained. “Josh even gets approached by former patients when we are out in the community. People thank him for the care that he gave them and I’m happy that my children get to witness these moments.” Someday Josh said he may want to join the Medical Technology space as a consultant and investor. “I love the tech space and have been working on a few ideas of my own,” he explained.
John and Abby met on a dating app in 2016, but they almost never had a first date. At that time, Abby was living in Manayunk and Josh was in the Graduate Hospital section of Philadelphia. Busy with her graduate school classes, Abby was skeptical to meet up with Josh at first. “I was focusing on school and wasn’t really looking for anything serious,” Abby explained. Josh persisted and continued to text Abby to no avail. Finally, a colleague of Josh’s got a hold of his phone and texted Abby to meet Josh at a pub in Josh’s neighborhood. “I couldn’t find any parking and arrived at the Pub and Kitchen restaurant an hour late,” Abby added. “When I got there Josh was surrounded by a group of people and looked like he was having a good ol time.” “At the time I figured maybe she wasn’t coming,” Josh added. Despite the parking snafu, Abby and Josh had a successful first date. Josh already had a vacation planned shortly after and was in Vietnam for three weeks.
“We kept in touch and picked back up when I returned,” Josh explained. “And the rest is history!” The couple married in 2019 at the Hotel Du Pont in Wilmington, DE. Their honeymoon was a beautiful trip to Italy where they traveled the country starting in Venice and then visiting Modena, Florence, the Amalfi Coast and Rome. They even ate at the number-one restaurant in the world, Osteria Francescana!
Josh and Abby were enjoying married life, living in the Graduate Hospital section of Philadelphia, traveling, eating and living life until the pandemic hit. “As frontline workers, it took a heavy toll on both of us,” Abby explained. During that time Josh and Abby decided to get pregnant and although it was stressful with what was happening in their jobs and in the world, they were excited to start their family.
With the pandemic’s effect on the city and the increase in crime, the Browns began looking to move out of the city. Looking for a thriving suburban community and close proximity to their families and friends, they set their sights on Marple. They found the perfect home near the reservoir, although it would require a bit of work. “It was more of a fixer-upper than we first realized,” said Abby. “But we love it and we love the neighborhood.” “The community is great,” added Josh. “We have the most kind, helpful, and respectful neighbors. Our immediate neighbors were so quick to introduce themselves and embrace us as part of the community.”
Josh and Abby have two children, Emma and Joey. Emma was born in 2020 and is described by her parents as very intelligent and determined. “She’s shy, but she’s quite strong-willed,” said Abby. When Emma isn’t at preschool a few days a week, she’s home with mom and her baby brother. If she’s not playing with her cousins or in her room playing with one of her many baby dolls, she’s playing soccer or swimming.
Joey Brown was born in 2023 and is a chill, cuddly and happy six-month-old baby. Abby and Josh look forward to sharing their love of travel with their children as they get older. They recently returned from a family trip to Hilton Head, SC. Before Joey was born they traveled with Emma to Puerto Rico, Miami and Vail, CO. When Abby was eight months pregnant with Joey they also visited the Dominican Republic, a timing oversight that Josh will never live down. “Abby and I have traveled at least three times a year to places like Taiwan, Spain and the Caribbean,” said Josh. “We can’t wait to be able to travel more with Emma and Joey.”
For now, Abby and Josh are plenty busy at home in Marple. “Between my job in the ED, two little kids, and plenty of home improvement projects, we are pretty exhausted,” Josh said with a smile. “But we know we will miss it someday!” The Brown’s motto: No rest for the weary!
Do you know a Marple family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.