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Edna May Bruce (nee France)

February 1, 2023

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May 4, 1932 - February 1, 2023
In Loving Memory ~
With great sorrow, Edna Bruce's family announces her passing at 90 years old on February 1, 2023, after a fall at home two days prior; a deep loss that is felt by all of us who loved her dearly. She was our treasure; a strong, beautiful woman who loved us all equally, and set a shining example of how to endure great trials in life and still maintain the grace, honesty, strength and independence that all of us admired in her.
Edna was born into a humble, hard life in Winnipeg, Manitoba on May 4, 1932, but she was determined to educate herself to achieve a better life. She joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as one of the first 75 airwomen to have graduated from the RCAF's depot at St. John's Quebec.
She met her future husband John (Jack) while serving in the RCAF, and after being posted all over Canada and even overseas in France with him, all while giving birth to five children, she happily settled in Comox with her family in January 1967 and lived there ever since.
Edna always strived to make a good home for her family, taught herself the skills of sewing and needlework, grew her own vegetables, and was a renowned cook and baker.
After being in Comox for two years, with all five children nicely settled into school, Edna went to night school to refresh her bookkeeping skills and first got a job at Lavers Department Store in Courtenay, and then she became the bookkeeper for the Town of Comox, a job she held until she retired in 1993, where it was said about her that she was so good at her job they had to hire two people to replace her.
Edna and Jack loved travelling, spending decades going south to California for the winter, cruising to various locations, and visiting their son Doug and wife Dianne in Tasmania, Australia. In their travels, they met and formed lasting friendships with people from all over Canada and the US. Edna grew the most beautiful flowers, and in her later years, her garden became her favourite pastime.
Edna selflessly gave her time to care for her family, especially for her husband of over sixty years, Jack, who she devoted herself to in his final years. She brought up her children to be independent useful members of society, and she was fortunate to have an enduring, loving relationship with her youngest sister Florence for all of her life.
Edna was predeceased by her parents and most of her siblings, her husband Jack, daughter Diane, and granddaughter Cheyenne.
She is survived by her sister Florence; children Bob (Veena), Doug (Dianne), Chris (Gig) and Susan; grandchildren Christopher, Lindsay, Ernest, Lauren, Gillian, Jess, Hilary, and Gig; as well as step-grandchildren Simon, Yolanda, Christine and William; and twelve great-grandchildren.
A Memorial will be held for Edna on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Crown Isle Resort, Courtenay, for family and friends to share memories of Edna, and celebrate the life of a truly wonderful woman who meant so much to us.


Additional Photo(s):  

Service Details

Celebration of Life
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
2:00 PM
Crown Isle Resort 399 Clubhouse Dr, Courtenay


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