Clara Marie Brickman

It is with deep regret that we announce the peaceful passing of Clara Marie Brickman on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Although Clara was her first name, she preferred to go by her second name, Marie, and everyone knew her as either Marie or Granny. Marie was 100 years old and died just a week shy of turning 101.

Marie is survived by: son Ralph (Joy); grandchildren Chris, Jeri-Anne (Lance), Heather (Greg), Michael (Emily), Jeff (Jennifer), Tammy (Bruce), Meagan (Andy), Cailin (Jay), and Rogan; great-grandchildren Nicholas, Chelsea, Jaxon, Jacob, Maxwell, Hayley, Trevor, Tim, Nathan, Nico, Madison, Aria, Kai, Broedy, Cadence, Grayson, Lowan, Skylar, Arlen and Kyran; great-great-grandchild Octavia; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Marie’s passing was predeceased by: spouse Samuel Brickman; former spouse Orval McGiffin; daughters Linda McGiffin and Patricia McGiffin; son Douglas McGiffin; daughter-in-law Joanne McGiffin; sisters Edna Shiells and Edith Smith; and her parents Ralph and Dorothy Nichols.

Born in Winnipeg in 1924, Marie spent her youth in Steep Rock, Manitoba. She balanced her early adult years between duties as a practical nurse at the St. Boniface Hospital and those of her growing family. Changing from nursing to social work happened after Marie moved her children to Brandon to complete a certificate at Brandon College, and then worked for Manitoba Social Development offices in Winnipeg, Morden and Portage la Prairie. She married Sam Brickman and lived in Winnipeg, Tilbury, Ontario, and then back to Winnipeg, to enjoy retirement. As retirees, Marie and Sam wintered in Florida and later, in British Columbia, to be near where daughter Pat and her family were located. After Sam’s death, Marie continued living alone in their Winnipeg apartment with son Douglas and his family’s assistance. Years slipped by and, as Marie’s health failed, she was forced to transition through assisted living situations, and finally into the nursing home where she passed away.

Marie loved to laugh and led a remarkably long and incredibly rich life, always appreciated by the people around her. As independent as they come, she was still driving and living on her own, at the ripe old age of 93. A proud and graceful woman, Marie carried herself with a special elegance. When she got up to meet the world every day, she always took the time to look polished and put together, with careful attentiveness to her hair, make up and dress. Our Marie—our Mum and Granny—will be fondly remembered for her poise, her humour, and the joy she brought to those who knew her.

Burial and Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, April 25, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. Marie Brickman will be laid to rest at the Waverley Memorial Gardens, located at 1501 Waverley Street, Winnipeg, for any family and friends wishing to attend.

At 2:00 p.m. we will celebrate Marie’s life at a gathering & luncheon at Thomson "In the Park" Funeral Home located at 1291 McGillivray Boulevard, Winnipeg, so please come and share any Marie stories that you may have!

The family greatly appreciated the excellent care extended to Marie over her final years at the Golden West Centennial Lodge.