Brenda Mary Dowding

Of course I didn’t really pre-write my obituary, this is my husband’s interpretation of me writing my obituary. He is my advocate, my soulmate, and the love of my life. How I will miss him. Him and my son, Jake. My greatest accomplishment. My movie buddy, my champion. He, I may miss more than my Ralph.

Oh, that’s my Husband , Ralph England. I fell in love with him in March of 1986, the year I graduated Nursing as an RN, and married him two years later.

I guess that is my second greatest accomplishment. Nursing.

I was a Grace grad. Class of 86. What a special education. What lifelong friends I gained. How I loved being a nurse. It was the purpose of my life. My adventure in Nursing spanned so many different fields, from Med/surg units in Halifax, Ottawa, and Chilliwack, to multiple clinics in Edmonton and Halifax. But my favourite was always clinic work. Both in Edmonton, in IV therapy, and later in Halifax at the Rheumatology clinic. This last one was my favourite. The people I worked with there were the best, and if God would have allowed me, I would have crawled on my hands and knees to get back to them.

I have had a wonderful life, too short, but wonderful. I have travelled so many places. Married to Ralph, he dragged me from one side of the country to the other, following him during his years in the army. Truth be told, I could have done with out some of the experiences of having to lead our family all those times he would be away. But without those years I would have missed so many other great adventures, and friends. Our family vacations were highlights I could not have lived without.

Oh the places I have seen. And even later, after we moved home to Halifax, I call it home because this is where my heart was. Near to my brothers and sisters. Oh and of course my lovely nieces, and nephews. Yes, this was home.

From here, Ralph and I would go on our south vacations. Our favourite was Mexico. I call it my happy place. My place where the rest of the world could fade away and I could wiggle my toes in the sand.

But I think some of my grandest adventures were with my girl friends, jetting off to a conference in a strange city,or having a girls vacation, finding our way, or not, and challenging myself to live that part of my life.

Oh the days are short. I wish I had more time. But we are only given what we are given. I guess I would tell myself “ suck it up princess. Shit happens, deal with it.”

So that’s it. That’s me. A life too short , but I lived it.

But I’m not really gone, am I? If you’re remembering me now , I’m still with you. I will always be with you. I’m too cute to forget. Cute as a button.

Do me a favour. get out there and live your life. Go places , see things, meet people. Don’t waste a minute. Don’t forget to say I love you every day. Don’t ever regret being you!

Well that’s it, I hope my husband made it sound like me.

I’m joining my parents Jack and Winnifred Dowding , my other inlaw parents Wilburne and Valetta England, and my sister Lillian Engram. They will wrap their arms around me and hold me close.

I was a loving wife to Ralph England , Mother to Jacob Ralph England, Sister to my two sisters, Mona Abbott, and Lillian Engram(deceased), and two brothers ,Ernest Dowding,John Dowding, and my sister-in-law Rosann England nee Sharpe. And loving auntie to Janet Langdon, Amanda Hanlon, Yvonne Goods, Brian Abbott,Amanda Houghton ,Daniel Dowding, John Dowding, Neil Dowding, Tina Squires, Paul Engram, Sameera England, and Tashi England.And all their children.

I didn’t want a funeral or flowers. But my family and friends will gather together for a drop in and remember me on Sunday 20 October 2024 from 1:00 pm to 3:00pm at the J.A. Snow funeral home 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, NS.

I don’t ask for donations, but if need to do so, I always supported Adsum house for Women and Children on Brunswick Street. I used to collect shampoo and other bathroom necessities for the women who stay there. Maybe take up a collection among your friends and drop it off.