JUDY BRUYERE

It is with our deepest sorrow that the family of Judy Bruyere announces her peaceful passing on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital in Thunder Bay, Ont.
With a soft and gentle whisper, her Lord called her name and she was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus with her husband and members of her family at her side.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Frank, and their three children, Claudette, Nicolaas (Nick), and Ben. Her little man, grandson Jace, will miss talking with Grandma Judy about their favourite NHL team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
She considered each of them, and the rest of her family, as God’s greatest blessing in her life.
Judy also will be greatly missed by other family members whom she cherished and loved beyond measure. Thy include her mother, Hilda Moran; and sisters, Gail (Bob) Gagon, Irma Lowndes (Michel), and Betty (Paul) Watt, all of Marathon, Ont.
Also left with broken hearts are her sister in-law, Cathie Bruyere, and brother in-law, Ken (Janice) Bruyere.
Judy also will be loving remembered by her nephews, Adam, Brad, Eric, and Robbie; and her nieces, Kelly, Christina, and Tammy. She also is survived by her aunts and uncles, as well as other family.
Judy also cherished and loved family friends, Neil and Doreen Kabel; and her close friends from her years at Rainycrest.
Judy was predeceased by her father, Gerald Moran; father- and mother in-law, Claude and Mary Bruyere; brothers in-law, Mike Lowndes and Fred Bruyere; as well as other family members.
Mom was the cornerstone of our family and her passing will have a profound effect on each of our hearts. We know that she loved each of us unconditionally and, by example, she taught us the true meaning of that kind of love.
Mom was our inspiration and we drew our strength from her. She taught us respect for others, forgiveness, kindness, and the meaning of family. She encouraged us to pursue the desires of our hearts and she was always there to support us as we did.
As her children, we feel we are the ones who were blessed the most by having her as our mom. Our parents adored each other and they functioned as though they were one. Dad did everything possible to help Mom deal with her illness, to the point that he learned how to do her kidney dialysis so she could receive dialysis in our home.
Mom always said she would not be here if Dad wasn’t there for her. Dad loved her dearly and we know that his heart has been broken by her death. But we also know that his memory of her will enable him to soldier on and continue her legacy by being a loving parent.
He always has been there for us and we feel he is the best father we could ever have.
Jesus was Mom’s Lord and Saviour, and she leaned heavily on her faith and trust in God. Earlier this year, one her doctors told her she would need to have part of her leg amputated. While many would accept this type of diagnosis without question, Mom refused to do the same and she gave the issue over to God knowing that He had the final say and she awaited her miracle.
On the actual day of the planned surgery, she refused to allow her faith to waver. Due to a remarkable set of circumstances, the doctor who was to do the amputation was unavailable. As a result, a different surgeon was scheduled.
An hour prior to the surgery, he came to her room and told her that he thought he could save her leg, and that he would do everything for her that he could. During her surgery, she received her miracle and she left the hospital with both legs.
She gave credit to the skill and ability of the surgeon, but not before giving God the true credit. She told everyone what God did for her and that it was her trust in Him that led to a true miracle in her life.
Mom was employed as a registered nurse at Rainycrest for 20 years until illness forced her to take sick leave in 2011. In May of that year, Mom began what was to be three long years on kidney dialysis.
Mom’s illness may have slowed her down but she knew what the only alternative was. With Dad’s love and support, Mom maintained what she felt was a meaningful life.
In the past, there were times when Mom had been in the hospital but this time she did not come home. As her children, Mom had told us she never wanted to live her life in a hospital and being sustained by extensive medical care or attached to tubes.
We know that Dad’s decision to have her removed from life support was devastating for him, but that in doing so he was honouring Mom’s wishes. We all feel that Dad’s decision to let her go was his final act of kindness for the women he loved.
It is what Mom would have wanted.
As Mom wished, no funeral will be held. A gathering of family and close friends will be held in the spring, at which time we will say our last good-bye to Mom.
As a final act of kindness and respect for our Mom, we would ask that in lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations be directed to the Fort Frances Community Chest.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com