Judith DELBRIDGE

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DELBRIDGE: Judith Anne (née MacKay) passed away peacefully at the Palliative Care unit, Brandon Regional Health Centre on June3, 2009, with her adoring husband Ken and her loving sons Dan and Cory at her side. Born on April 21, 1945 in Victoria B.C., where her father was stationed at Pat Bay as a Flying Officer with the RCAF, Judy moved to Brandon (her Mother’s home town) when she was two years old. Except for a year when the family moved to Portage la Prairie when she was nine, Judy lived in Brandon until moving to Winnipeg with her husband after their marriage on Nov. 12, 1966. In her younger years she took figure skating lessons and participated in racing competitions, both in skating and track. Judy loved to skate and spent hours most winter days after school and evenings at the East End “rink” just across the street from her parents’ home. She was a member of the YMCA. She attended school at King George (where she met Ken in Grade one), Earl Haig, Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI) and Harrison High. She was a cheerleader at Haig, BCI and Harrison. In Grade 12 at Harrison, Judy played the lead female role of “Judy” in the major Production “Rebel Without A Cause”. Judy graduated as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse in 1967 from The Brandon Mental Health Centre (BMHC). After the birth of her two sons (the absolute joys of her life) in Winnipeg, she went back to work part-time in 1974 at the Winnipeg General Hospital in several Psychiatric units. After a move to Shilo in 1978, she returned to Brandon in 1980, where she was close to both her own and Ken’s parents, many members of their families and childhood friends. In the 1980’s, she worked part-time at the Dinsdale Personal Care Home and at The Alcohol Foundation of Canada. She returned to work part-time at BMHC in 1989 and also worked as a nurse at the Brandon Correctional Institute in 1995/96. Judy nursed on a part-time basis at the Centre For Adult Psychiatry (CAP) after BMHC closed in 1998. One of her prime responsibilities was as group facilitator of the Depression Group, where she continued to demonstrate her expertise and caring professionalism in helping individuals who live with mental illness. She loved her job and the people she worked with - both patients and staff. Judy reluctantly stopped working in Sept. 2007 after having courageously undergone her initial chemotherapy and radiation treatments. She officially retired in March of 2008. Judy loved her home, garden, flowers and trees. She liked to draw and the greeting cards she gave were often painted on small canvases complete with inspirational messages. She enjoyed cooking and always ensured that anyone who came into view was offered something to eat - especially her grandchildren - whom she treasured. This nurturing trait was inherited from her kind and loving mother. Her most cherished times were when she could give special attention to her grandchildren - whether it was her frequent trips to Wendy’s when she picked up Nathaniel after school, teasing and having deep conversations with Matthew on the phone or always supplying Alicia (whom she often referred to as “our Miracle Baby”) and Angelina with art supplies and encouraging the two “princesses” to show her the latest moves they learned at dance class. Judy loved to travel and she and Ken had many vacations in B.C. and the U.S. She was so thankful that she and Ken were able to spend two weeks in March of this year in Barbados with wonderful friends, Darlene and John Lorenowicz, Jan Merino and Kay and Mel Wolfe. Fond memories of the beauty of the sea, the island and the good times brought her much comfort and positive thoughts in her remaining months. Judy is predeceased by her mother, Grace MacKay (née Goldstone ) on Jan. 21, 2002 as well as Ken’s parents, Jean (1991) and Fred (1981) Delbridge, sister-in-law Noreen McKibbin (2008), brothers-in-law Arnold Delbridge (2004) and Murray McKibbin (2001) and ten aunts and uncles of the Goldstone and Mackay Families. Judy leaves behind to cherish her memory, her father Allan MacKay of Brandon and his special friend, Tina Pauche, her loving husband and best friend Ken, her son Dan (Naty) - Nathaniel and Angelina, of Brandon and her son Cory (Christina) - Matthew and Alicia, of Calgary. Judy is also survived by aunts: Norma McDonald of Winnipeg; Kay Wolfe, Pat Cruse, Terry Goldstone and Claire Goldstone, all of Brandon; Thelma Young of Calgary; Gail Goldstone of Edmonton and uncles: Stewart Goldstone and Mel Wolfe of Brandon and Bill Young of Calgary: and sister-in -law Pat Delbridge of Minnedosa. Heartfelt thank- you goes to the love and friendship of aunt Kay and uncle Mel Wolfe who have always been there for support! Judy had dozens of cousins of the Goldstone and MacKay families and five nieces and nephews of the Delbridge family who she loved to have fun with at the many family gatherings. She will be sadly missed by many old and new friends and many co-workers from BMHC and CAP, whom she always considered her good and caring friends. Thanks so much to her childhood friend, Jan Merino, who supported and helped Judy in so many ways! The family wishes to thank Drs. B. Schacter, Dr. J. Liu and the nurses of CancerCare Manitoba in Winnipeg, Dr. E. Moller and the wonderful nurses and volunteers of the Brandon Community Cancer Program, Dr. G. Visser of the Brandon Clinic, the kind and caring staff at the BRHA Day Hospital and the staff at the Palliative Care Unit. Through the efforts of the kind and thoughtful staff of the Home Care Program, Judy was able to remain at her home until May 31, for which she was so grateful. A Memorial Service to Celebrate Judy’s Life will be held at Central United Church, 327-8th Street, Brandon on Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Shannon McCarthy officiating. In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, donations in memory of Judy may be made to the BRHC Foundation, “Western Manitoba Cancer Project”, 150 McTavish Ave. East, Brandon Manitoba, R7A 2B3. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 23, 2009