Arlen Audrey Bruce

April 23, 1949 – June 23, 2010

It is with deep sorrow that we share the unexpected passing of Arlen. She is survived by a loving family including her son Jason (Jennifer) Howell, grandchildren Wyatt and Bronwyn, siblings Berne Mills (Kathy), Blake Mills (Debbie), Blaine Mills (Anne), and Royden Mills (Linda). Arlen is also survived by a great many friends who were as dear as family to her, notably Victoria Skinner and Dennis Fortin. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins who were all very important to her. Arlen is predeceased by her parents, Robert Mills and Audrey Mills and her son Robert Howell. Arlen Bruce was a soulful nurse and caregiver to her family and community. She worked her way up from working at the Psychiatric Ward at Ponoka Hospital, to being a hair dresser, to becoming a head nurse at the Trail Regional Hospital. Arlen received her BSc (Nursing) from the University of Victoria. Committed to living to the highest ideals of the nursing profession, she was absolutely passionate about giving nurses the opportunity to find their potential and to carry the highest pride for the way that they exceeded expectations and professional standards. An important part of her life was spent promoting the ideals of professional nursing as the President of the Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia. She nursed all of her life even before having the professional role, caring for her parents, her siblings, and anyone who seemed to face a struggle. Arlen was respected highly for her professionalism throughout her career, often invited into leadership roles where her vitality, vigour, and courage helped to bring about passionate dialogue, and positive change. Arlen worked as Manager of Operating rooms at several important hospitals. Notable was the love she gave as manager at Canmore General Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital (New Westminster), and Children’s Hospital (Vancouver). She worked at Vancouver General Hospital, and in recent years she left the fight of trying to affect change through management to go back to the important place for all nurses, the bedside. Her last roles were important to seniors and to those who needed the most assistance. Community Services for elderly in Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Salt Spring Island and Parksville placed Arlen into the kind of one-on-one care that she believed all true nurses have the most passion for. Individual by individual she tended to us all as if our life and death depended on it. Never afraid of asking the tough questions to the tough people she took to the solo roll of patient advocate in support of anyone who had a weak moment in life. She made friends effortlessly and spoke to the truth in other’s moments of crisis with uncommon clarity and compassion. Dedicated to constant self-improvement and learning she recently had been taking courses on how to teach English to those new to our country. She was our family and our community caregiver, sometimes even when she needed the care the most. Arlen is truly unforgettable and will be sadly missed. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, July 3, 2010 at 10:00 am at Victory Memorial Park Funeral Centre, 14831-28 Ave, Surrey, BC.