It is with sadness, but deep gratitude, that we share the news that Myrtle Janet Browning died from natural causes on Friday, February 12th, 2021.
Myrtle was born in Boissevain, Manitoba to Emma and Newton Opperman.
She was the sixth child of a family of ten.
Like her brothers and sisters, Myrtle was always very active.
She loved to skate and play baseball and helped with everything that needed to be done around the house.
When she was 19 years old, she moved to Souris, Manitoba where she trained to be a nurse’s aid.
In that town she sang in the church choir and attended many community events including local dances.
It was at one of those events that a dashing teacher showed up – with another date.
Swept away by her beauty and joyful presence, Fred Browning asked Myrtle to dance for the rest of the night.
That evening was the beginning of a lifetime partnership between Fred and Myrtle.
Their life together was 55 years of singing, laughing, loving, working and dancing together while raising four beautiful children.
After marrying they were blessed with their first son, Grant, born in Souris.
They then relocated to Winnipeg, where they had two more daughters, Debbie and Cathy. On one stormy, wintery day Fred came home and saw an advertisement for a teaching position in the “banana belt” of Ontario.
On a whim he applied and then later told Myrtle.
This lead to their relocation to Wallaceburg, where they would have their last child, Susan.
Wallaceburg was their treasured home and community for the rest of their lives.
Myrtle’s life revolved around family, church and community.
She served many positions at Trinity United Church.
She was the president of the UCW, she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, served on the board and was a weekly visitor to the nursing home, hospital and the retirement residence.
She offered numerous acts of service to the Wallaceburg community.
She ran a senior’s group, she worked with arc industries (now community living), she was a member of IODE.
She organized more funeral luncheons than anyone can count!
Ten years ago, Myrtle fell when taking down a set of lights after the Christmas tea at Trinity.
That day she suffered a life-threatening brain injury.
Thanks to the miracle of our health care system, a highly skilled neurosurgeon, and a tremendous medical team at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor, she survived.
Thanks to the incredible staff at Parkwood Hospital’s brain injury program she recovered to the point of moving back to Wallaceburg.
It was then that all of her acts of kindness circled back to her in the most beautiful way.
She lived in Sydenham residence for six years where she was exquisitely loved and cared for.
When she was unable to manage there, she moved to Fairfield Park Nursing home where again, she received excellent care and support.
In addition to the care of the staff, she was visited regularly by her ministers, members of her congregation and the community.
Myrtle had many joys in life but was never more filled with love than when she was with her family.
She was very grateful and proud of her four children and their partners, Grant & Debi Browning, Debbie Browning & Larry Dupuis, Cathy Dickson & Wayne Nesbitt and Susan & Paul Browning.
She was especially delighted by each and every one of her grandchildren, Jackie & Jordan Tontini, Kate Browning, Brent, Kurtis & Emma Dickson, Jackson & Siobhan Browning & Damian.
She was blessed to have one great grandchild, Charlotte Tontini, who she never met in person but whom she was so excited to see on Skype and Facetime!
She had a special closeness with her siblings, even though they were far away and she is survived by her sisters Wilma (Doug) Robertson and Euniece Wilbee and her brother Laverne (Joyce) Opperman and many nieces and nephews.
She will be sadly missed by everyone.
But most especially her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchild.
The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation for all the staff at Fairfield Park Nursing Home.
You gave Mom such excellent care and we are so deeply grateful for all your sacrifices – especially throughout the last year.
We also express deep gratitude for the care of her doctors Dr. Tom Perkin, Dr. Bob Mayo and her nurse practitioner Renee.
Thanks to everyone at Trinity United Church and to the wider Wallaceburg Community.
This community filled Mom’s life with meaning and love.
We are forever grateful for all she gave and all that was returned to her!
The arrangements have been entrusted to the HAYCOCK-CAVANAGH FUNERAL HOME 409 Nelson Street in Wallaceburg.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a celebration of Myrtle’s life will be announced at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider leaving a donation to either Trinity United Church, Fairfield Park Nursing Home or a charity of your choice at the funeral home 519.627.3231.
