Maureen Brass never had an opportunity to see her efforts come to fruition as a leader organizing the centennial celebrations for the Sorrento community.
Her spirit remains strong though, as her work is evident in the planning and entertainers for a family celebration planned for September, which will include her son Cameron, a member of Lillix.
Brass’ life began on a farm in the Orkney Islands in Scotland. She moved to the mainland when she was three, then to Aberdeen where, at 16, she trained as a nurse.
Brass continued her education in Glasgow, becoming a midwife/ nurse practitioner, but never forgot her roots as an Orcadian.
The adventurous sort, she moved to Canada and spent a year in Toronto. After moving to Calgary, Brass noticed a nurse posting in the North West Territories.
Thinking she was heading for northern Alberta, Brass spent 18 months in Cape Dorset on Baffin Island serving the Inuit.
She returned to Alberta, eventually finding work at Foothills Hospital before taking a position with the Stoney Nakoda First Nation at the Morley Health Clinic.
Brass was given the Indian name “Lucy Left Hand” as she was affectionately known as in the community.
In 1973, Brass found her way to Canmore where, for 35 years, she stayed put. She was known for helping many a new mom, teaching prenatal classes, and calming little ones with her toy stuffed seal as she administered inoculations.
“The mountains were not the reason she spent so much time in Canmore,” son Elliot said in his eulogy, which was read by longtime friend Gladstone Friesen. Elliot explains guests would come to visit and comment on the natural beauty of the Bow Valley, to which Brass would respond, “I don’t like the mountains. They almost make me claustrophobic.”
“What my mom loved about Canmore was the people,” read Friesen.
Margo Friesen and Brass had been best friends for 35 years.
A Memorial Tea organized in Sorrento by the Friesens was standing room only; the same was reported at the service held earlier in Canmore to honour their friend.
Throughout her time in Canmore, Brass was also a tireless volunteer, which in part helped her to be recognized in 1995 with the Governor General’s Award for being an outstanding Canadian.
Brass was known for her sense of humour and her Scottish brogue, which became more prominent the more excited she became.
With a zest for life, and a hard-working attitude, Brass moved to Sorrento to be closer to her twin sons living on the Coast. Retired from nursing, she immediately got involved with the Beautify Sorrento Community project, but Shuswap Hospital Foundation Director Jackie Morrison said Brass continued her caring for people, organizing a health fair and blood pressure clinic.
Leader of the Scottish Country Dancers, Wendy Dean talked about how much fun it was to have Brass around. She was known for her G-force arm in the dance swings, a strength attributed to her true Orcadian background.
Brass lived her life as if each day was her last. Her philosophy. ‘You are judged by the difference you make in the life of a child,’ carried through the caring of all she met in the community. Gladstone Friesen ended his memorial with inspiration from this special woman, “Don’t do anything half brassed.”
Charity fund
The Shuswap Community Foundation is accepting donations in memory of Maureen Brass.
Brass’ family will be establishing a fund with the SCF to honour her memory.
Details of the fund are still being discussed. Those who wish to honour Maureen can do so by sending their donation to the Foundation and, on the memo line, put ‘In memory of Maureen Brass.’ This money will be put into a fund and the principal generated will be used to give out a grant in honour of Maureen. This is a wonderful way to ensure the spirit of Maureen lives on in our community now and forever.
More information about the Foundation and how to make a donation online can be found at www.shuswapfoundation.ca. Cheques can be mailed to PO Box 624, 450 Lakeshore Dr. NE, Salmon Arm BC V1E 4N7. Cash donations can be dropped of at the office on Lakeshore Drive. Official receipts for Income Tax purposes, will be issued.