What a lovely story. My mother had a featherweight she purchased for $135 in 1936. It came with her from Illinois to Maryland when she married my father. I learned to sew on it when I was a preteen. When she passed away in 1996 I let my two neices who are sisters have it because she had also taught them to sew on it. I have a collection of Berninas but I also have a featherweight I was fortunate enough to find at a yard sale for just $20. I think the family was selling off an elderly relatives things following a death etc. I use it mainly for workshops, retreats etc. I was fortunate enough to purchase the winning ticket at a raffle for a featherweight. I gave that machine to my only daughter.
I am sure your brother is smiling down on you everytime you use that little machine.