Obituary of Ruth E. Brann

Ruth E. (Murphy) Brann Donkin, C.B. With broken hearts, we, the family of Ruth E. Brann, announce her peaceful passing at home on Sept. 23, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She fought a courageous six-year battle with cancer, never once complaining. Born on July 25, 1936, to parents Annie and Byron Murphy, Port Morien. Mom was a member of St. Luke’s United Church, St. Luke’s Choir, and Queen Victoria Rebekah Lodge. In her younger years, she worked at Hopkins fish plant in Port Morien. After marrying our dad, she moved to Donkin, where they started a family, but she always said she would move back in a heartbeat. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, Nana, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who referred to her as “Mudgie.” Whether she was at one of their sporting events or singing and dancing with them in the living room, she was their biggest fan. She loved to have a house full of company, telling stories, jokes, and reminiscing, accompanied, of course, by a “cup of tea” and something sweet. Mom’s time was spent traveling to PEI to visit her granddaughters or cheering on her favorite Cape Breton Eagles, having season tickets for over 20 years, and her favorite Toronto Blue Jays. She especially enjoyed her Thursday and Sunday night bingo games. She is lovingly survived by daughters Marlene (Dwane) Howie, Anne Brann, and son Gordon (Patricia) Brann. Sister Anne (Ed) Lawson, Ontario, chosen sister Donna Buchanan, Donkin, brother-in-law Lloyd (Karen) Brann, Glace Bay. Grandchildren Robyn (Joe) Burgess, Holly Richards, Adam (Kenzie) Richards, Sean Howie, April (Troy) Chaput, Deanna Burrows, Justin Brann, Kindra (Connor) Brann, Kristen (Blake) Brann, Tara (Randy) Neary, Shamus (Cara) MacDougall. Great-grandchildren Josh (Rowan) Burgess, Kohen and Cate Burgess, Braydon (Bryah) Chaput, Nolan Chaput, Brielle and Brett Burrows, Jase Steele, Brody, Rylee, and Patrick Neary, Jack MacDougall, and baby “Billie Lynn” Richards, due in December. She will be sadly missed by lifelong friends Valerie Wadden, Edith McIntosh, Duddie Ryan and Roy Richards as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Gordie Brann, grandson Jamie Steele, brother and sister-in-law Bill and Karen Murphy, in-laws Mamie, Madge, Sis, Loretta, Buddy, and Willy Brann, and lifelong friend Buddy Wadden. At this time, we would like to thank Dr. Trevor Guy for the exceptional care and compassion he gave to our mom, Dr. Saliba, Dr. Poulis, and Dr. Ritter, VON, Palliative care nurses (especially Linda Murphy, her “angel on earth”), words can’t express how thankful we are for you. Also, thanks to T.J. Tracey Funeral Home, Glace Bay, for their care and compassion. To our sister Anne, how do we begin to thank you for the excellent care you gave to Mom. We never had a worry with you by her side and our sister-in-law Patricia; thank you for always being there. You are one in a million. As per Mom’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral. Her body has been entrusted to Dalhousie Medical Center, Halifax, for medical research. There will be a private family burial at a later date. “The world changes from year to year, Our lives from day to day, But the love and memory of you shall never fade away.” Words of comfort may be expressed to the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com.