BRETT, Sarah Christina (née McMullan)

November 16, 1926 to November 13, 2019
 
Sarah passed away peacefully in her sleep in Guelph, Ontario on November 13, 2019.
 
Sarah was born in Shepard, Alberta on November 16, 1926. She graduated as a nurse from Calgary General Hospital and, true to her profession, she preferred giving to receiving, and was a kind and gentle soul with a courageous spirit. Sarah worked in emergency rooms, on hospital wards and as a head nurse and an operating room nurse variously in Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick and London, England. She delighted in music and loved to laugh and sing. She also loved to travel. As a young woman, and unusually for the time, she travelled through Europe with two girlfriends, and, later in life, she was particularly inspired by a month spent in India.
 
While working at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, Ontario, Sarah met Dr. Brian Brett. They married in 1959 and remained happily married until Brian’s death in 2005.
 
Sarah leaves behind four daughters: Anne (Trevor), Mary, Jennifer and Laura (Patrice), and five grandchildren: Dana, Jeff, Jamie and Michael Hall, and Kyra Bradley Brett. Many of her daughters’ friends were drawn to Sarah’s nurturing nature and thought of her as their second mom.
 
We send special thanks to the staff at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Guelph for the loving care they gave to our mom during her residence there.
 
We loved her with all our hearts, and we always will.
 
Condolences and memories may be forwarded to Wall-Custance Funeral Home and Chapel at 206 Norfolk Street, Guelph, ON N1H 4K3 or emailed to [email protected].
 
“A nurse must learn to hold high the banner of courage, and faith in life. She must awaken and sustain the patient’s will to live, and kindle the great desire to once again successfully take his place in the world. How fitting is our motto ‘By faith and courage’. Let us ever hold it high.”
Valedictorian address of Laura Edwards
Calgary General Hospital Class of 1948