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December 6, 1930– May 22, 2017

Campbell River – The family of Brigid Foord sadly announces her passing on May 22, 2017, after complications from falling and breaking her hip.

Brigid will be deeply missed by her family and many friends around the world including her immediate family; Frances, Blair, Greg and Justin Power and ever faithful “surrogate” pet, Duffy.

Born Brigid McGuirk on December 6, 1930 in Dublin, Ireland where her mother tended to the fields and farm animals and dad delivered the goods each morning by horse and cart. She attended Business College and began her career with the Labour Party and Labour Exchange in Dublin.

In 1960 Brigid came to Canada to marry John Foord. Since her brother Charlie and his family; Vera, Clare, Marie, Ann, Jacqueline, and Pauline also came, they created their own little transplanted Irish family. Frances was born in 1965. Together, the families blossomed. Brigid enjoyed cooking a meal for the clan. Her signature dish was roast beef and Yorkshire Pudding. Perfecting the Yorkshire was no mean feat, and she fretted over the oven until serving – would they rise or flop. Much like everything else Brigid took on – they rose.

Brigid’s career with the Town of Marathon began in 1966 where she worked until she retired in 1989. She wore many hats (arguably ALL of the hats) at the town during her 23 years of service, one of which was being Justice of the Peace. As JP, she was often called upon at all hours of the night to sign documents which arrived by burly police officers that announced, “Hi Brig, sorry to bother you…”

Brigid was never bothered by anyone. In fact, she was always optimistic in the face of many of life’s challenges that came her way. She will always be remembered as being a most dignified, determined and proud lady. During John’s lengthy illness and faced with placing him in long term care 350 km away, Brigid lobbied to have the same beds available in Marathon. It was a long and hard process, which she stuck with, and she won the political battle, bringing John back to Marathon where she cared for him lovingly and tirelessly until the end of his life.

Brigid also found time to volunteer! How she found the time we don’t know, but that was how Brigid lived. If a hand was needed she was available. She contributed her time and expertise to many causes. One in particular, was because Brigid felt it was very unfair that there was no financial help for families of sick children when they needed to travel for treatments, so she devoted many hours to forming the Sick Children’s Fund, which is still in existence today.

In the early 1990s, she started HELPP: Hospital Equipment Lottery Project for People.It is a fundraising project that is still in existence in Marathon, Ontario to raise money for the local hospital. The project did extremely well and continues to do well because of Brigid, who had a vision, to help raise money for Wilson Memorial General Hospital.

Brigid enjoyed gardening, playing cribbage, reading, and spending time with her family, particularly her grandsons Greg and Justin. S he loved them dearly and was very proud of them. Greg and Justin loved her back just as much. They were happy to play a game of lawn darts, Jenga, and cribbage with her, and of course get their picture taken high fiving or smooching her. And eating her roast beef dinner…

Brigid moved to Campbell River, BC in 2002 so that she could be closer to her family. Immediately, she joined the Legion Ladies Auxiliary where she met Isabel Warner. Isabel quickly took her in tow to meet the rest of the “Merry Widows” - Doreen Webster, Betty Morgan, Gwen Whyte, Joan Davidson, and Lois Morgan. A book could be written of their escapades in the last 15 years, together they enjoyed many years of laughs and good times.

In the last few years, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease were slowly taking a toll on her mind and body. Throughout the trials, she maintained a positive and happy disposition. This was in part to the efforts of her “personal assistant” Loree Cunningham, who always made her smile and brought a twinkle to her eye! Our family is truly blessed to have had Loree’s assistance and love during the past few years.

Brigid also looked forward to her day at Larwood Adult Day Program. She was loved by everyone there and always came home with a story. She even loved to win at Bingo, a game she didn’t like to play in her earlier years.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church on Friday, May 26, 2017 at 1 pm followed by light refreshments in the Church Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of a wonderful lady, loved by everyone and will be cherished forever by Frances, Blair, Greg and Justin Power.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Wilson Memorial General Hospital, www.nosh.ca, 26 Peninsula Road, Box 780, Marathon, Ontario P0T 2E0 or to Campbell River & District Adult Care Society (Larwood Day Program) www.cradultcare.com, 12-142 Larwood Street, Campbell River, BC V9W 1S2.

Boyd’s Funeral Services is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. You are invited to share your memories of Brigid and leave a condolence at www.boydsfuneral.ca



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