ELZA MARIE LEE (BRANDON) (KOCH)

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ELZA MARIE LEE (BRANDON) (nee KOCH) On February 6, 2013 Elza passed away peacefully at The Kingsway Residence in Toronto with her husband John and daughter Lesley by her side. Beloved wife of John Lee for 35 years, loving mother of Lesley (nee Brandon) Sanderson (Tom), cherished grandmother of Alexandra Campbell, Marina (Austin Wheeler) and adored great-grandson Hayes Wheeler. She was predeceased by her husband Jim Brandon in 1976. Elza was born at home in Wheatstone, SK, third youngest of 12 children to first generation homesteader parents who emigrated from Hungary and Austria. She was predeceased by three infant siblings and sisters Augusta and Adele, brothers Edward, Frank, Ted and Joseph and survived by her sisters Katherine (Smith) and Freda (Ludtke). Elza moved to Toronto during the Second World War and worked in a munitions factory and then to Winnipeg with her husband Jim Brandon. She was one of the first '911' emergency operators and German translators to work at the Winnipeg Police Department. Elsa loved cooking, gardening and bridge with a passion. She was president of the Ancaster Horticultural Society, a member of the Ancaster Historical Society; the Duet Club and the I.O.D.E. She and her husband John shared a love of music, history and travel. A wonderful Nana who always had cinnamon buns and cookies waiting for Marina and Alex, made dresses for their dolls and enjoyed their enthusiastic help' in the garden. A private interment has taken place and a service of celebration of Elsa's life will be held in Ancaster at St. John's Anglican Church on Tuesday, March 19 at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations to the Parkinsons or Heart and Stroke Foundations would-be appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 09, 2013