Theresa Mary Brennan

The gates of heaven opened on 12 August 2025 for Theresa Mary Brennan, four months short of her 100th birthday, peacefully surrounded by many loving family members.

Theresa grew up on Columbus Place in the Hydrostone. She was predeceased by her parents, Daniel and Elizabeth Beaton (McInnis) and all five of her siblings, Margaret MacDougall (Alec), Anna Beatty (Pat), Alexander, Bill, and Joe. She is also predeceased by her husband, George Brennan, with whom she had three daughters Darlene Jamieson (Doug), Sandra Wood (Harold), and Carol Young, who will all miss her dearly. She was Nana to 9 grandchildren Jenn MacKinnon (Matt), Mandy Young, Trevor Jamieson, Sean Young (Lindsay), Todd Jamieson, Lori Curtis (Safy), Meghan Young (Daniel), Mark Young, Corey Young (Haley) and 12 great-grandchildren, Rylan Burke-Young, Camden Burke-Young, Sarah MacKinnon, Jane MacKinnon, Zoey Lovsin-Young, Harlow Jamieson, Olive Elsafy, Shams Elsafy, Ophelia Rosenthal, Calvin Young, Luella Young, and baby Colette Rosenthal.

Theresa was a dedicated worker, whether in the workforce, which she first joined as teenager as a stenographer in the 1940s at Dale and Co., as a mother in the home, or when she worked as a secretary in the St Mary’s University Office of the Registrar, until she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree, after which she was promoted to the Assistant to the Registrar. Oh, how she loved those students and they loved her, awarding her an honorary Gold M, an award given by the SMU students association in recognition of exceptional commitment to the university and its students.

Theresa was an active community member, dedicating time to volunteering outside of work and the home. Her volunteer activities included working on federal and provincial elections, as a member of the parish council, a lector at St. Catherine of Siena Church, scheduling lectors and Ministers of the Eucharist, as well as working at various church functions.

A passionate gambler, she loved playing bingo, poker and the slots, rarely missing a church bingo event, and enjoying the odd weekend in Vegas. One of the fond memories Theresa loved to share was the occasions she would drive her parents to Cape Breton, where her oldest sister Marg was anxiously awaiting their arrival, a deck of cards in her hands, for their poker game, a tradition she continued even after her parents passed.

After her husband passed in 1971, Theresa was the matriarch of the family for over 50 years, her home serving as a warm gathering place for pizza parties, holidays and birthdays for her daughters and her grandchildren.

Theresa truly enjoyed travelling; when she returned from one trip, she was already making plans for the next one. She had a very peaceful send-off, for her last and most special trip to heaven, where she’ll celebrate her much anticipated 100th birthday among the family members who, she often joked, must be wondering what’s taking her so long to arrive.

Theresa’s daughters would like to thank the following people:

Shawn MacDonald, for taking such amazing care of Theresa’s house and property. Urmala Shrestha, who spent many long, wonderful hours providing excellent care for Theresa Elsie, Greatshell, Preet, Sukhman, for their supportive care.

Amanda Tinning, nurse practitioner, who provided attentive and comprehensive care for Theresa for the last years of her life

Graham Currie, for coming every second Monday to take her to Bingo, ensuring she could participate in the activity she loved so much, even when she could barely see the numbers on her bingo card.

Thank you also to all of you wonderful people who reached out to express your warm condolences, it meant so much to us all.

Mass and reception will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Church on Bayers Road, 3rd September 2025, at 11:00am, followed by a reception in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Souls Harbour Rescue Mission.