Alice Bronaugh (Brona) née Gonzalez
Died: September 15, 2022 | Place: London, Ontario
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Obituary
BRONA, Alice…
On Thursday, September 15, 2022, Alice died peacefully at home after a short illness. Alice is survived by her beloved daughter Cynthia, her dear brother Paul, and many, much-loved nephews and nieces. Trained as a nurse at St. Joseph’s in Toronto, Alice chose to serve in public health.
During her 83 years Alice lived mainly in London, joining many local interest groups, including La Leche League, The Circle at Brescia, the Raging Grannies, and a poetry group.
She was passionate about employment equity, the environment, and co-op housing. Deeply spiritual, Alice was also an Associate of the Sisters of Loretto. Looking back on her life she always referred to the many wonderful places she had been to, and especially enjoyed working briefly in Florida and living in England for two years, in Oxford. Her visit to Labrador was another highlight for her.
Funeral and interment will take place at Old Lakeview Cemetery in Thorold, Ontario where Alice was born.
Memorial donations may be made to Indwell or to the London Community Foundation earmarked “housing supports”. Arrangements entrusted to A. Millard George Funeral Home.
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I am keeping in my prayers Alice Brona, a friend of 35 + years who passed on Thursday, September 15, in London, ON. Alice: a public health nurse, super promoter of the Lamaze method, poet, feminist, writer extraordinaire to the newspaper and all levels of government as regards human rights and proper Healthcare. Alice had her favorite charities which included Indigenous support. Alice attended boarding school at Loretto Academy in Niagara Falls. I attended Loretto College in Toronto. We are / were both Loretto Associates which took us to many retreats, days of Prayer and lectures together. Alice didn’t drive, so she walked everywhere. Alice took note of nature along the way and expressed her delight and gratitude for simple beauty. Alice was among the pioneers at Port Burwell on Lake Erie which was the host for annual summer colloquiums with guest speakers such as Thomas Berry and Brian swim and other ecologically oriented minds. Alice was a faithful friend who often called me and or wrote quick letters which included poems or items from the newspaper that she thought I would be interested in. Alice did not familiarize herself with the computer age. She might have attended a session or two at the library but it was not her cup of tea. So, communication with Alice was not by emailing or text
It was voice to voice. Our last conversation was on August 23.
Perhaps, I mentioned to her, or not, that I was reading a book about a researcher named Alice who was studying the grieving process for elephants. Elephants feel the loss of a loved one so deeply that they go into a mourning ritual, stop eating and collectively gather to support each other. Two weeks after that phone call, I received a card and note in the mail with a beautiful picture of a mother and child elephant walking in the wild. It is very precious to me now. It was my privilege to be a friend of Alice. She will be missed but I’m very happy for her new found freedom.
I met Alice through the IBVM, Mary Ward Associates. We would gather annually at Maryholme, a Loretto Retreat Centre in Georgina, in June. While there Alice and I would reflect on spiritual and temporal matters. We had in common daughters who lived in BC, who we both missed terribly. We understood eachothers motherly concern for children who we could not hug as often as we wanted. During the year between Maryholme visits, Alice and I corresponded via snail mail. It was always a treat to get a short poem, inspirational writing or update on local events in London. I will miss Alice’s friendly smile and quick laughter and cheery notes. May she dwell in the House of the Lord Forever. RIP dear Alice.
My condolences to Alice’s family as she was a beautiful person inside and out. Her presence at retreats and gatherings was always a source of light, joy and grace.
Condolences to your family. Alice was a truly spiritual being, involved in social justice who loved nature and the homeless. I met her through Paula Marcotte at some special suppers we all shared.
Rest In Peace.
Aunt Alice, I will miss our old school correspondence, letters and post cards. Like you I looked forward to receiving mail with your latest drawing or poem. I will continue to travel for you although I’m sure you you’re travelling to more beautiful places now. God bless you.
Raymond
I first met Alice at Fanshawe College in London in 1978, where we both enrolled in a writing course. We have remained friends ever since. I will miss her sense of humour, and her dedication to a cause, a poem, and to family and friends. RIP dear Alice, until we meet again.
Dear Cynthia and family:
Heartfelt condolences for your loss.
I knew Alice for so many years and she was always such a cheerful and friendly lady.
Marnie McArthur
( Caledon and Muskoka)
Alice Brona
My personal memories of a 40 + year old friendship.
1975 was my first year in London and Alice took me under her wing.
I babysat Cynthia when I lived on Raymond Ave with Alice as next door neighbour-but one. When I gave birth to our son Michael she gave me a copy of The Canadian Mother and Child which was a booklet put out by the Ministry of Health. In it she wrote a dedication “For a new mother and a new Canadian.” I treasured that booklet as a source of basic child health advice and it was her nursing background that made her know it was indeed a good source of such advice
Over the years we have spent a few Christmases together after her divorce, when Cynthia was very young. Our birthdays are two days apart so we celebrated that milestone every year together.
We often went for lunches together – she loved the Edward the VII pub in Ilderton. We went for drives and Alice appreciated the SW Ontario landscape. She adored going to places such as Port Stanley and Stratford. She was always saying “I am so happy” when we reached the outskirts of the town and entered the green countryside. Our conversations were sometimes about spiritual matters, and often about politics and history and Alice loved the Queen and was sad at her recent death.
She often referred to her family – her many siblings and her lovely nieces who she told me came to visit as often as they could. She had conversations with Paul in New York State and was always pleased to hear from him. She was so happy that Cynthia, her beloved daughter had found an old love and has joyfully moved from Vancouver to Saskatchewan to be with Todd.
Alice was a devoted member of the Mary Campbell Coop where she resided for many years. She served on the board and wrote for their newsletter, and more than anything she enjoyed the benefits of a recent influx of gardening enthusiasts who have transformed the edges of the buildings into oases of colour and which are abuzz with insect and bird life.
Alice was always a rebel methinks, and she challenged bureaucracy and authority whenever she got the chance. This could be frustrating and I did find I had to intercede sometimes in order to get things done with businesses such as Rogers!
Alice’s favourite place in the whole world was her balcony. She sat out there every day come rain or shine and regardless of the temperature. She so enjoyed the trees, the birds and the people-watching. Many people walked past her down the public staircase to each hour to access the river walk down below. On my last visit with Alice we shared a Wendy’s hamburger on her balcony and she ate a large Dave’s Special- with relish. R.I.P my dear friend.