JOAN ELIZABETH BRETT

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JOAN ELIZABETH BRETT It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Joan Elizabeth Brett (nee Milne) of Tusket, Nova Scotia on October 9, 2014 at the Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus, in Ottawa, Ontario. Joan was cherished for her intelligence, compassion and kindness, and will be deeply missed by all those who knew her. She was born on September 9, 1925 at Magog, Quebec, to Frank and Eva Milne (nee Truax). She received a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and chemistry from Bishops University and then, like so many of her generation, sought opportunity elsewhere, first in Boston and then in Calgary, where she married Peter Alan Brett of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Two children followed, Alexandra and John. So did two more university degrees, in education and library science, and four more moves: to Winnipeg, to Connecticut, to Halifax, and finally to Morris Island, Nova Scotia. After 20 years of being in constant motion, raising children, working and studying, Morris Island was to be Joan's final home, where she and Peter settled for the next four decades. It was here that she turned her deep love of books and reading into a fulfilling career as librarian at Maple Grove School, the Yarmouth Hospital School of Nursing, and the Yarmouth Public Library. Some of her fondest memories were of days spent in the library bookmobile, delivering books to children all over rural Yarmouth County. Joan was also a proud member of Yarmouth's Kritisophian Society, North America's oldest book club, and of the Argyle Municipal Historical and Genealogical Society. Especially in later years, many people played a valuable role in making life enjoyable and meaningful for Joan. In addition to husband, Peter, these included her children, John and Alex, their spouses, Mern and Michele, granddaughter Eva, and many generous friends and neighbours who dropped in for regular visits. Joan is survived by her husband, Peter Alan Brett, her son John Brett (Mern O'Brien) of Halifax, her daughter Alex (Michèle Demers) and granddaughter Eva Demers-Brett, of Ottawa. A celebration of Joan's life will be announced at a later date.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 18, 2014