Grace DEAN

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DEAN: Grace Elizabeth (née Briggs) of Brandon, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, at her residence, Fairview Home, on February 15, 2015 at the age of 82 years. Grace was born in Winnipeg, MB to Henry and Elizabeth Briggs, who then moved their family to be raised in Brandon. As a young woman, Grace attended St. Michael’s Academy and then went onto the Brandon Mental Health Centre where she trained as a Psychiatric Nursing Attendant. She worked at the Brandon Mental Health Centre on and off for 44 years, as well as in the labour and delivery unit of the Brandon General Hospital. Grace worked very hard for four decades, not only caring for countless patients, but also for her husband and five children. Grace met her husband Robert Levi Dean here in Brandon, and raised their children and grandchildren throughout their 43 years of marriage. Grace was very proud of having been part of the movement to bring forth “Equal Pay for Equal Work for Women.” Amongst other interests, Grace loved to needlepoint and had many copies of her favourite poem “Footprints in the Sand” for loved ones. She also enjoyed reading, Scrabble, logic problems, crosswords and playing cribbage. Grace is survived by her children Linda (Larry) Taylor, Ken Dean, Susan (Rick) Rogowski, Cathy (Terry) Cluett and Carol (Richard) Christie. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren Aaron, Heather, Bobbie, Lindsay, Abbey, Deana and Samantha. Grace also leaves behind sisters Gladys (Sandy) Carmichael and Janet (David) Gosselin, as well as many nieces and nephews, close friends and colleagues. Grace was predeceased by her parents Henry and Elizabeth, husband Robert Dean, brother Ken and sister-in-law Murial Briggs. As per Grace’s wishes, a private family interment will be held were she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Bob, on the first day of summer, so they can be reunited on their 64th Wedding Anniversary. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations in memory of Grace can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 2550 Victoria Park Avenue, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, M2J 5A9. Footprints in the SandOne night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,“You promised me Lord,that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints,my child, is when I carried you.”-Mary StevensonMessages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 21, 2015