Janet Cunard Brown: First Female Assistant District Attorney in Westchester

Janet Cunard Brown passed away in Citrus County Florida on April 23, 2015, after a long illness.

Janet was born in Mt. Vernon, New York. She was a longtime resident of Ossining, before retiring in Florida for the past 15 years.

A graduate of Roanoke College and New York School of Law, Janet Cunard was the first female Assistant District Attorney in the history of Westchester County, NY. In 1969, she was appointed by then District Attorney Carl Vegari and proved to be a brilliant appellate attorney known for her tenacity and extraordinary research ability, as a well-known figure in the Appellate Courts of New York State as a prosecutor and in private practice.

Assistant District Attorney Cunard left her office in the late seventies and entered a private law practice in White Plains, New York. Shortly thereafter, she joined with B. Anthony Morosco, another legendary Assistant District Attorney who was Chief of the Appeals Bureau for many years, and where Janet served as his deputy. They were outstanding teachers and took no prisoners in their passionate oral arguments on behalf of the office of the district attorney and the People of the State of New York.

Janet was predeceased by her husband William Brown, Esq. and her parents, Gertrude and David Cunard. Janet lived with her mother nearby until she passed at age 99. Janet is survived by her dear longtime friend and Private Investigator Sylvia Escala. Sylvia cared for Janet unselfishly as her illness progressed during the last few years. Janet was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery next to her loved ones. In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to Family Ties Of Westchester Inc., 175 Main Street, Ossining, NY 10562.