Mrs. Olga Brown

We wish to announce that Bo, our fiercely independent mother, concluded her century wrapped in the warmth and unconditional love that embodied her life. Bo was born in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta to George and Catherine Bo hush; a CN railway station master and a hotel waitress. The youngest of three, she grew up on the prairies with brothers, Russell and Eugene. Academically and athletically blessed, she left for the city to complete her RN training at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (1946) and start her first job at the Baker Clinic in Edmonton. Her marriage (1949) to Gordon Brown, civil engineer, marked the path that lead to our family of six; Mom, Dad and children Debbie (Arthur Harpur), Ted, Carol (Neil MacLeod), and Tom moving to Calgary. Bo maintained contact with her Bohush family in Edmonton (Russell, Irene, Diane, Eugene, Barbara, Rick, Darlene and Roxanne) with regular visits. Her second career as an at home mum over 20 years did not limit her many pursuits through the IODE, PEG Wives, Canadian Club, badminton and bridge. When the call for RN's to staff the new Foothills Hospital in Calgary was issued (1971), she deftly added a return to active duty nursing at the Foothills and then Rocky View, to her packed schedule. Bo's balancing of home, husband, kids, grandkids, Dad, father-in-law care and the hospital carried on. Her professional contributions were acknowledged by the AARN with the " Nurse of the Year" award in 1993. Retirement from nursing in her 74th year (1998) meant that we could continue to count on her skills and joie de vivre: the celebrations of grandchildren (Jordan, Peter, Marissa, Shannon, Tommy, David & Heath)and eleven great grandchildren plus Yahoo Stampede weeks at home, summers at Shuswap lake, and numerous family trips abroad. Gordie's passing in 2004 marked the end of a remarkable 55 year partnership, but she soldiered on in solo pursuit of her passions including exercising with the Heritage Seniors, golfing with the "Gals of Summer" (Helga, Jan, Mary), drives south and west to view the foothills and mountains, enjoying geraniums in her garden, and the antics of her backyard wildlife. Wine at five in front of a warm fire on a chilly day was de rigueur. Our family extends their gratitude to Dr. Vanessa Shaneman and Dr. Basia Okoniewska who helped Olga live a long and wonderful life, and to nurses Joan and Salem for their kindness, warmth, and gentleness during Mum's final journey. Known as "our fun Grandma" with the unmistakable infectious laugh, our matriarch shed light into every space she entered, especially in dark times when her youngest child Tom suddenly passed away in the summer of 2018. She was a special, rare, and remarkable person and remains a large part of us all. "Good Show, Bo!" Please join us for a tribute to her century well loved and lived. Glenmore Sailing Club, 8601 24 St SW, Calgary AB Friday, May 30, 2025, 4 pm to 8pm Caring for the family is Lyle Reeves Funerals of High River (Craig Snodgrass) 403.652.4242.

Tributes

Mrs. Olga Brown

August 16, 1924 - April 19, 2025