MARY BROOKALL (TRUDEAU)

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MARY BROOKALL (TRUDEAU) nee Mulvaney August 18, 1906 July 24, 2007 It is with sad but hope-filled hearts that we announce the death our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother on Tuesday, July 24 at West Park Manor with her family at her side. Left to warmly remember and celebrate her life are her three remaining children: Ted Trudeau (Brenda) in Edmonton, Rosemary van Rosmalen (Tony), Lawrence Trudeau (Diane); as well as her son-in-law Don Gannon, and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Winnipeg and Edmonton. Mary was predeceased by her first husband, Fred Trudeau in 1962, her second husband, Joseph Brookall, in 1981, her brother Charles Mulvaney in 1978, and her daughter Ann Catherine Gannon in 2005. Mary was born in her home on Fort St. in downtown Winnipeg on August 18, 1906 and attended St. Mary's School and St. Mary's Academy. She worked as a legal secretary before marrying the boy next door, Fredrick Trudeau in 1939. After Fred's death in 1962, mom returned to the work-force, retiring in 1971 after nine years at Manitoba Hydro. Mom was remarried in 1976 to Joe Brookall, sharing five wonderful years together. Her steadfast faith, which she never tired of sharing with her family and others, was the most important part of her life and a legacy that we cherish and embrace. Family was extremely important to her. She was always very involved in each of her children's and grandchildren's lives as a devoted and loving mom and granny. Mom loved a good laugh. Her great sense of humor and very quick wit was one of the marvelous gifts we enjoyed to the end. Mary was very active with the Credit Union and Co-op movements in Winnipeg from their beginning, and served on both local and provincial boards for many years. She believed strongly in the spirit of people helping people and worked tirelessly to keep the boards true to that vision. Mary was a lifetime member of the Catholic Women's League and held various positions at different levels over the years. Upon her retirement from Manitoba Hydro, she was instrumental in founding two organizations: the Hydro X Club (Manitoba Hydro's pensioners' club), and Stafford Seniors, a community organization that met at St Ignatius Church. Mary was an ardent supporter of the Pro Life cause, promoting membership in the League for Life and advocating her views to politicians and the media regarding the issues at hand. She had a zest for a full and very active life and pursued her dreams and goals with enthusiasm, joy and boundless energy. For the last three years of her life, Mary was a resident of West Park Manor. Her family would like to extend a sincere and warm thank-you to all the staff for the love and care they gave her day in and day out - this last home was truly a blessing for Mary and her family. Mary, mom, granny - we will miss you greatly, but we thank you for touching our lives so deeply. We will cherish the remarkable example that you set and the many wonderful memories of you forever. Prayers and Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, July 30th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Parish, 4588 Roblin Boulevard, Winnipeg. Prayers will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the mass will begin at 7:00 p.m. with Msgr. Stan Jaworski presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to OLPH church - Elevator fund, 4588 Roblin Boulevard, Winnipeg, R3R 0G4 The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E.J COUTU CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 28, 2007