Brenda Ann Grassau

Brenda Ann Grassau

July 30^th, 1934 – April 28^th, 2021

We are saddened to announce the passing of Brenda Ann Grassau (nee Taylor).

Brenda was born in Montreal to Barbara Ann Taylor (nee Burry) and Ernest

Parsons Taylor. While never having lived in Newfoundland, Brenda was very

proud of her immediate and extended family roots there. The second eldest of

four siblings: R. Bruce Taylor (Chandra), Lynda O'Dwyer, and Richard Taylor

(Patricia), Brenda was predeceased by her mother and father, her husband

Peter, and her eldest brother Bruce. She leaves to mourn her passing her

younger sister and brother, her son Wilfrid, her daughter Pamela (Beth), and

grandchildren Katherine, Nicholas, Caleb and Addison. She will be fondly

remembered by nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews in Canada,

Germany and abroad. Brenda received her teaching certificate from Macdonald

College in Montreal, and while teaching full-time completed her undergraduate

degree at Sir George Williams, and then her Bachelor of Library Science at

McGill University. Cataloguing books and working in the library 'stacks' afforded

Brenda the opportunity to live and breathe 'books', a passion inspired by her

mother and Aunt Josie. Her first librarian posting was at Queens University,

which was followed by a position at the University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary

College. In this role she met, Peter F Grassau, and finding a shared love of

family, faith, animals, books, travel and politics, Peter and Brenda were married

at St. James United Church in Montreal. Peter and Brenda were married for

41 years at the time of Peter's passing in 2006. Shortly after marrying, they

moved to Listowel, ON where they welcomed Wilfrid and then Pamela into their

family. The family subsequently moved to Mississauga, ON, and then

Leamington, ON, where Brenda and Peter lived until 1999. Brenda and Peter

shared a passion for animals, showing their beloved Standard Schnauzers at

conformation and obedience shows across Ontario. Brenda and Peter were

actively involved at Leamington United Church, and Brenda took on many

leadership roles within the congregation, supporting clergy, lay leaders,

congregants and varying outreach initiatives. Brenda was an active Girl Guide

Unit Leader for many years as well as a District Girl Guide Commissioner,

strongly advocating for young girls and women to take on leadership and

advocacy roles within their communities. Moving to Orleans, ON in 1999, offered

Brenda and Peter the opportunity to be much more active in their grandchildren's

lives. Proudly claiming the role of 'Nana' and 'Opa', they commented often on

how much they appreciated seeing each of their grandchildren grow into kind,

compassionate, smart and resilient young people, and had high praise for the

tremendous care and guidance that they received from their parents. Brenda

and Peter were actively involved at Orleans United Church in many different

programs, and outreach initiatives and when Peter died suddenly in 2006,

provided Brenda an important foundation of faith, community and connection.

After living alone for the next decade, Brenda decided that she would sell her

house and move into Bruyère Village/Besserer Place. Brenda loved her view of

the river and was surrounded by an exceptional clinical and social-care team.

Sincere thanks are extended to Chris MacEachern, PA, Malique Saleh, Marie-

Claire Mayer Leclair, Joanna Letemplier, Maria Tsirigotis, Chad Chartrand and

the many other people who were part of Brenda's everyday. Sincere thanks are

also extended to the clinical and palliative care consult team that cared for

Brenda at Montfort Hospital until the end of her life. A small, outdoor, private

service will be held on Monday May 10th at Beechwood Cemetery. A memorial

will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in Brenda's name to:

Gifts with Vision https://giftswithvision.ca/;

The Heart & Stroke Foundation https://www.heartandstroke.ca/; or

The Ottawa Mission https://ottawamission.com/