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This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
In her 97th year, Brenda, “Mom”, “Gran”, “Great-Gran”, has passed into eternity, tenaciously defying the odds.
Acquiring an iPad at the age of 87 she prided herself in the title “Cyber-Gran”, communicating with friends and family, and being a great bird-lover, she requested a sign for her door saying “Cyber-Gran’s Aviary” to celebrate her succession of various birds.
She will be tremendously missed by her 2 children Greg and Tenley (Barry Kelly), grandchildren Alison (Jed Dix), Tina (Paul Wardlaw), Adam (Millie Dayaram), Alex (Carly Vienneau) and Andrew (Drew) Kelly (Audrey Bernard) and great-grandchildren Isabelle and Tobias Dix. Brenda will also be dearly missed by Gloria Thurston, many nieces, nephews, and special friends, Carole Stone, Andrea Douglas, Loraine Smith, Joan Burrows and Mary Roughley.
Brenda was predeceased by parents Cornelius Andrew Borrie and Euphemia (nee Lorange), her husband Ronald Purdy, siblings Cornelius Ward Borrie (survived Stella (Des) Borrie) Alice (Hank Grabarz) and she joins granddaughter Kelly Dawn.
Born and married in Montreal, moving to Calgary, AB, then Toronto, ON, Burlington, ON, Cobourg, ON, Brenda devoted herself over the years to a variety of volunteer roles, including The United Church, Cubs and Scouts, The Burlington Synchronized Swim Club, Engineers’ Wives, The Cobourg Historical Society and she achieved national recognition with “Hi Neighbour”, welcoming new members to the community of Cobourg, ON. After her husband Ron passed, she moved to Newmarket, to be closer to family. At the time of her passing Brenda was, one of the only original Amica resident remaining. She enjoyed a long life there. The family thanks the staff for their devotion, care, support and friendship especially during the last few challenging months.
A celebration of Brenda’s life will be held for immediate family in Montreal with interment at Mount Royal Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to Sharon Hope United Church, Sharon Ontario or Southlake Regional Hospital, Newmarket.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Sharon-Hope United Church
Many memories of Brenda & visits to her home on the Lakeshore. Rick enjoyed working with Brenda at MacCoubrey’s. Brenda was always involved& active.Glad she remained so & had a great long enjoyable life. She leaves many good memories.
What a lovely picture that was of your Mom. She will always be there in spirit for your family.
To Tenley, Barry and Greg and family. So very sorry to hear of Aunt Brenda's passing. She was a very happy, loving, bubbly and cheerful lady. Our sincerest sympathies to all.
So sorry to hear of Brenda's passing. My thoughts are with you.
I leave special condolences to Tenley and Barry and Greg and their families. I remember Brenda fondly while visiting she and Ron with Barry and Tenley and enjoying Brenda’s laughter, her Joie de vivre for life and her immense volunteerism around town. I hope your memories of her will comfort you in the days ahead.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Sharon-Hope United Church
At one time Brenda and I shared a number of indepth conversations. I appreciated her sense of fun, her desire to seek out the truth, and her enthusiasm. She was a very vibrant person. I wish the family well at this time of grief.
To Tenley, Greg, Barry and Family... What a wonderful life your Mom lived and obviously full of love and wonderful times. She was a great lady and so full of energy and cheerfulness. What a lifetime of memories she has left for all of you. I'm sure you will miss her greatly, but on the other hand, I'm sure you are also so very grateful for all the years you had with her. Remember her, cherish her and know that she's now resting at peace. Take care. Brenda and Ted
Dear Greg and Tenley and family, I remember Brenda fondly from Trinity United Church in Cobourg. We had some very good chats over the years and new her as a member of our congregation who was always involved in someway with church events. I am so happy for her that she got to be close to you all. All the promises of God are Yes and Amen in Jesus and she is with her Saviour.
We are sorry to hear of Brenda’s passing but what an incredible journey she had. We of course had so many difficult and also wonderful times with both Brenda and Ron here in cobourg. Deepest sympathy at your loss sincerely Tony and Carol Farren
Was sorry to hear, but what a tremendous life. We can only hope to have the same. I see the family service is in Montreal but if you are close to Cobourg, anytime, I will meet you. Thinking of you all…..children, grandchildren etc at this time! Love from Stoney lake Susan and Glenn