Margaret Elizabeth (Browning) Dawson

A single post today as a good friend's mother, the lady I knew as Bronte, has passed away and, as she was a great fan of the web, I have been asked to create her Book of Condolences here.

Margaret Elizabeth Dawson née Browning

July 22, 1932-July 28, 2006

Bette died at home with dignity, as was her wish, after a four-month illness. Predeceased by her father, Earl George, mother Margaret McKirdy (née Wilson), brother Norman and infant son David. Loyal friend and neighbour, ardent feminist, environmentalist, proud employee of P&G, CBC listener and TTC patron who enjoyed the poetry of Robert Burns, military history and genealogy, but her passion was raising her children: Trevor (Dawn Zubrisky) and Laura (Wally Archibald) and cherishing her grandchildren: Jacob, Hayley, Samuel, Graham and Simon who will miss her many acts performed "with love". She will be deeply missed by caring siblings: Marion (the late William Duffy), Irene (Jack Hammond), Bruce (Joan), Don (Shirley), Bill and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Peter has lost the greater part of his life with the passing of his devoted wife of 48 years.

Everyone who knew "Bronte" knows that her Legacy is Love. Rest in Peace.

Internment will take place at St. James Cemetery in Toronto where Bette will be reunited with David. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice. "Crossing the Bar" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson was one of her favorite poems and will be read as part of the service.

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For through from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.

Please leave your thoughts and recollections for the family by clicking on the word "reply" above, entering your message and then clicking on the word "post". Please email me at the email address genx40@gmail.com if that is easier or you have any digital photos you wish to share. I can add them to the comments on your behalf. This page will continue on the Internet as long as the family requests so that your comments can be shared with others who knew Bronte.

Comments

Wally - August 1, 2006 1:48 PM

Thanks Al for this site of remembrance. Bette taught many things to my remarkable wife Laura as only a mother could. Certain talents and habits passed down will live on in our home life. These include things foreign to me like meticulous recycling and actually reviewing the bill at a restaurant before signing it.
We were pleased and honored to share these last months with Bette as normally as possible, even in her weakened state. She enjoyed road trips in Cottage country with Laura, $1.99 breakfasts at IKEA, doing crosswords under the umbrella, attended school concerts and even saw Graham and I do Karaoke (Queen; We Are The Champions and something by Backstreet Boys)two weeks ago. And if 4:30 came and there was no G&T forthcoming she'd begin to complain about the service at Hotel Metcalfe.
Good memories to close out a memorable loving life. Rest in Peace Bette. Love Wally

Alan - August 2, 2006 8:51 AM

This came in the email today from Laura:<center><img src="images/2006d/brother tom0005.JPG"></center><blockquote class="smalltext">The family has pulled together a few particulars about the attached photo. Aunt Irene's recollection is that they were at the Toronto Islands. One uncle (husband of Irene) said this about the photo:<blockquote>I'm sending you a couple of snaps of Bette , she is second from left front row, the pretty one with the bangs</blockquote>My Mom's brother, Don added:<blockquote>????, Mom, Aunt Gerry, Mary Browning, Aunt Margaret, Bruce, Bette, (Aunt Gerries 2girls) Bob Browning, Norman, ????, Irene, Jack Browning, Marion,Laura, does this help? Mary Bob & Jack are Aunt Margaret's kids. Aunt Gerry is Aunt Margaret's sister, the question marks we don't know who they are. Bill and I were not born yet so the picture may have been 34/ 35. I hope this makes sense, see you on Sat.Love Uncle Don</blockquote>"Mom" refers to the maternal grandmother mentioned in the obituary, Margaret McKirdy Browning aka Peggy. Of note is the fact that Don, Bruce, Irene and Marion (now in her 80th year) will be attending the service. Marion is coming all the way form West Branch, Michigan while the others are in or near Toronto.

Karen Hammond - August 5, 2006 6:10 PM

Laura, Wally, Trevor, and Dawn:
Thank you all for today. Dispite the sadness, I enjoyed seeing you and your families and was glad for a chance to remember and talk about my Aunt Bette.

I remember her sense of humour (she always said things to make me laugh), her sense of style (no business casual for her!), her meticulousness (helping her to arrange her herbs and spices in alphabetical order when the family moved to 52 Broadpath), her love of words (calling me for clues to the Globe's Saturday crossword)and her generosity (giving me a refuge during a crisis in my life).

I'm happy she was my aunt, my life is enriched because of it.

Thinking of all of you,
Love, Karen

Alan - August 9, 2006 10:01 AM

I received this poem in broad Scots in the email from Laura this morning:<blockquote class="smalltext">All attending on Saturday enjoyed Uncle Don reading a favourite family poem. It is enclosed for those who asked for the reference.<blockquote>Cuddle Doon by Alexander Anderson (b. 1845)THE BAIRNIES cuddle doon at nicht 
Wi’ muckle faught an’ din; 
“Oh try and sleep, ye waukrife rogues, 
Your faither’s comin’ in.” 
They never heed a word I speak; 5 
I try to gie a froon, 
But aye I hap them up an’ cry, 
“Oh, bairnies, cuddle doon.”

Wee Jamie wi’ the curly heid— 
He aye sleeps next the wa’— 10 
Bangs up an’ cries, “I want a piece;” 
The rascal starts them a’. 
I rin an’ fetch them pieces, drinks, 
They stop awee the soun’, 
Then draw the blankets up an’ cry, 15 
“Noo, weanies, cuddle doon.”

But, ere five minutes gang, wee Rab 
Cries out, frae ’neath the claes, 
“Mither, mak’ Tam gie ower at ance, 
He ’s kittlin’ wi’ his taes.” 20 
The mischief’s in that Tam for tricks, 
He ’d bother half the toon; 
But aye I hap them up and cry, 
“Oh, bairnies, cuddle doon.”

At length they hear their faither’s fit, 25 
An’, as he steeks the door, 
They turn their faces to the wa’, 
While Tam pretends to snore. 
“Hae a’ the weans been gude?” he asks, 
As he pits aff his shoon; 30 
“The bairnies, John, are in their beds, 
An’ lang since cuddled doon.”

An’ just afore we bed oorsels, 
We look at our wee lambs; 
Tam has his airm roun’ wee Rab’s neck, 35 
And Rab his airm round Tam’s. 
I lift wee Jamie up the bed, 
An’ as I straik each croon, 
I whisper, till my heart fills up, 
“Oh, bairnies, cuddle doon.” 40

The bairnies cuddle doon at nicht 
Wi’ mirth that ’s dear to me; 
But soon the big warl’s cark an’ care 
Will quaten doon their glee. 
Yet, come what will to ilka ane, 45 
May He who rules aboon 
Aye whisper, though their pows be bald, 
“Oh, bairnies, cuddle doon.”</blockquote>