IRENE LOUISE BROWNRIDGE

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IRENE LOUISE BROWNRIDGE (STEVENS) Irene Louise Brownridge passed away at the Calvary Place Personal Care Home Friday evening, December 23, 2016 at the age of 89. She is survived by her sons Alan (Donna), and Stephen (Susan), grandchildren Michael, Jennifer, Jane, Tanis, Christine, and Ahmed, great-grandchildren Ally and Cameron, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Ken, brothers Ken and Roy, and sister Elsie. Rene was born in England in 1927, growing up during the pre-war years as the youngest of the four siblings. After the outbreak of the Second World War Rene volunteered to serve the cause as a WREN and spent many of the war years in and around London. It was there that she was a frequent witness to areal bombing and even saw one of the earliest rocket bombs (V1 bombs) strike the city. Upon the end of the war it wasn't long before she met her future husband Kenneth Brownridge, who had returned to England after serving in the Far East. Rene and Ken were married February 7, 1948 and enjoyed a long and happy marriage. They were a popular couple never without an abundance of wonderful friends, particularly in Canada after the Brownridge clan immigrated en-mass to Winnipeg in 1957. The opportunities and quality of life in Canada far exceeded those available in England, and Rene and Ken went on to build remarkable and long lives together while always remaining in Winnipeg, their first Canadian home. The household was always wide open to friends and family, including the next generation which may have abused the hospitality from time to time! Believing in the old adage "if you can't beat 'em join 'em" Rene learned to play golf in the early 1970s. She quickly got hooked on the game and joined husband Ken at Elmhurst Golf and Country Club in the mid 1970s. Her love of the club and her many golf companions can't be overstated, and Rene soon became an integral part of the ladies golf scene. She volunteered for many positions in the ladies golf section, including president in 1984/1985, and also assisted in hosting both professional and amateur tournaments at the club. She played at Elmhurst for over 30 years, and played her last game when she was well over the age of 80. She had several jobs in England including running the family operated corner store, and worked for Henderson's Directory in Winnipeg into the late 1960s. Rene left work to be a full time mom to the boys, and also became more involved with local community activities. At the Victoria Community Association hockey rink she melted the hearts of even the toughest boys, referring to them in her local English vernacular as "love". Rene and Ken went on to enjoy a wonderful retirement together: golfing at Elmhurst during the summer months and beating the winter's cold for a few months at various locals around Yuma, Mesa, and the Florida Panhandle. The retirement era coincided with the arrival of grandchildren and Rene and Ken became devoted grandparents to their six grandchildren: Mike and Jen in Winnipeg, and Jane, Tanis, Christine, and Ahmed in Calgary. Mike and Jen were particularly lucky to have lived so close to their grandparents while growing up. Few weeks went by without either spending some part of the week with grandma and grandad, and enjoying the deep benefits of grandparent affection. All of the grandkids will fondly remember the intense look of joy a visit would bring to grandma's face. Neither will they forget her infinite patience, even when it involved seemingly endless hours of very mundane games such as, Stampede, Gas, Old Maid..... In the true spirt of the "greatest generation" Rene and Ken lived modestly and always put others first. In her final months of life Rene needed, and received exceptional care at the Calvary Place Personal Care Home in Winnipeg. Needless to say her family members will be eternally grateful for the care she received, and for the warm dedication of all the staff we encountered. Rene journeyed through life as one should, with energy and with an open heart and an open mind. Thanks to these virtues she lived and experienced the modern life as well as anyone could wish. We will all miss her and remember her with great love. In lieu of cards or flowers, donations can be made to the Calvary Place Personal Care Home in Winnipeg.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 29, 2016