a day ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Nurse proves doctors wrong
When Jean Brown was born, doctors did not expect her to live.
Jean, who died on June 24, proved them wrong — she lived to 97 years of age.
But at that time, almost 10 decades ago, Jean was born premature and weighed only three pounds.
Her family says what saved her was the determination of her Scottish aunts. They paid no heed to what the doctors were saying.
They placed the newborn infant into an apple box, put the box in a sunny window, and she survived.
'With that start, she could begin an extraordinary, human, connected, life that lasted nearly a century,' her family said in her obituary.
Jean lost both her parents, Bill and Jane Mowat, when she was only 16. She lived her with her aunt and uncle and finished her education at Kelvin High School in Winnipeg.
That's where Jean met the guy who would become her husband — Norval Brown. The family says every day until he died in 1993, he made Jean laugh.
Jean graduated as a nurse at the Children's Hospital in 1952, but, as was usual at the time for many, her career was brief once she was married. She considered raising her daughters her life's work.
But that doesn't mean she left her nursing training behind her.
Jean would disinfect children's toys, put picture books in the oven to sterilize them, and even offer speculative diagnoses.
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She also volunteered at the Montreal Oral School, worked as a classroom aide at what is now known as Manitoba Possible, formerly the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, and was an active member of her church, St. Bede's Anglican Church.
As her family says, 'Our mother and grandmother leaves behind no recipes and few heirlooms, only more framed family pictures than we know what to do with and a phone number none of us will ever forget.'
Jean is survived by four daughters, eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Read more about Jean. How They Lived
Vincenzo (Vince) Brambilla was only 14 when he immigrated on his own from Italy to Winnipeg.
Vince, who was 85 when he died on Feb. 21, came here because his sister lived here with her family.
Through hard work, Vince went on to become a restaurateur with his most notable one being the downtown Grain Exchange Restaurant where his family says he charmed customers with his stories and his food.
Read more about Vincenzo.
Kay Hutton's organizing skills shone.
Kay, who died on July 23 at 91 years of age, was able to use those skills through her life.
She volunteered extensively at her kids' schools and she was active in both bowling and curling leagues.
But those organizing skills came to the forefront when she served as competition secretary for the Manitoba Highland Dance Association, as secretary for the Sons of Scotland, and as an organizer of the annual Sons of Scotland Summer School of Dance.
Read more about Kay.
Gerald Lafreniere was a teacher who taught Indigenous youth.
Gerald, who was 89 when he died on July 21, dedicated his education career to teaching in First Nations communities across the country for 53 years.
Wherever Gerald taught, he was known for passionately supporting Indigenous youth and for his patience, integrity and quiet strength.
Read more about Gerald.
Ron Wiebe was known by many as Mr. Canola.
That's when Ron worked in the commodity division with James Richardson and Sons which resulted in his 35-year career with Richardson Greenshields.
He wore a yellow trading jacket on the floor of the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange, focusing on canola, and he served as a board member of the Exchange. He later was also president of the Winnipeg Clearing Richardson Greenshields was sold to the Royal Bank of Canada, he spent the last five years of his career with RBC Dominion Securities.
Read more about Ron.
Sean Lawson was a friend to many.
Sean, who died on July 14, grew up in Stonewall and worked for years at Winpak in Winnipeg where he made many friends.
He was raising his son in Teulon when he was slain in his home. His family says they are hoping 'justice will be served.'
Now the community is fundraising to help his 12–year-old son — details are in his obituary.
Read more about Sean.
A Life's Story
Suzanne Barrow was an artist known for capturing the sky in her artwork.
Suzanne, whose long career was as a business analyst, picked up her brush when she retired to Gimli and she rarely put it down.
Suzanne Barrow started painting on the deck of her home during the pandemic to bring joy to her neighbours. (Supplied)
She became especially known for her lifelike sky paintings, including a giant one she worked on out on her front porch as a fun demonstration during the COVID-19 pandemic.
'I paint from the heart,' Barrow said in an online video. 'It's a passion. Sometimes it's very touching to me and that's why I paint. It helps me get through life.'
Read more about Suzanne.
Until next time, I hope you continue to write your own life's story.
