Obituary of Carolyn Phyllis Bray

To watch the recording of the Service, please click this link:
https://video.ibm.com/embed/recorded/131137025

The family of Carolyn Bray is saddened to announce her death in Saskatoon on Thursday, November 4 at the age of 62.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Scott Bray, their daughters and sons-in-law, Shannon and Aditya Menon and Robyn and Tim Hlady, her siblings Norma Doell, Vic and Julie Loewen, Ruth and Dr. Lorne Pilot and Linda and Jim Gillis, and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents Hilda and Peter Loewen, in-laws Gordon and Betty Bray, brother-in law Sam Doell and sister-in-law Cathy Bray.

Carolyn was born at Saskatoon City Hospital on June 4, 1959, the youngest of four. Growing up on the farm in Dalmeny, she long jumped over the swaths of grain, and slung softballs from first base. Most importantly, she learned the foundational Mennonite values that were paramount to every aspect of her life: hard work in service of others, and faith and family above all. After graduating from Dalmeny High in 1977 then attending a year of Bible college, Carolyn pursued nursing, a career that was nothing short of her calling, perfectly suiting her calm, pragmatic demeanour and nurturing instinct. Carolyn worked at the Frank Eliason Centre before earning her Certified Nursing Assistant accreditation at Kelsey (now Saskatchewan Polytechnic). She later graduated as a Registered Nurse on June 20, 1984 - the same day she became engaged to Scott. It was the second time he'd asked her to marry him; the first was the day they met, when Scott was a patient at City Hospital and Carolyn was his shy, thorough and dedicated nurse. They married on November 3, 1984, then became proud and devoted parents to their girls, Shannon and Robyn.

Everpresent and supportive, there wasn't a school event or dance recital Carolyn missed, even if it meant heading there after a 12-hour shift, and her sewing skills were put to use on costumes and dresses. Carolyn thrived on providing for her daughters at every age, from bedtime Bible stories and late-night wagon wheel snacks, to flexing her organizational skills for errand running or house moving. In 2016, after 36 years with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and a tour of service through Saskatoon's hospitals, Carolyn retired where she started, at City Hospital. Especially meaningful to her was working in the Coronary Care Unit, where she formed connections with the work and her colleagues, and in Progressive Care, where she ended her career bonding with her patients in their final days, nursing them with dignity and humanizing the medical process.

Carolyn's retirement enabled her to spend more time with the people she loved in the places she loved. That included Victoria, BC, where she enjoyed the crocuses, Butchart Gardens, and Rogers' chocolate, and Emma Lake, where she spent countless happy days over more than three decades. It was a magical spot she loved in part because it reminded her of the farm: a place to slow down, connect with loved ones, and commune with God's creation. Carolyn was humble, graceful and beautiful. She was a good listener, a little stubborn, and surprisingly competitive when she played backgammon and air hockey with Scott. Most of all she was loving, and loved.

The family would like to thank everyone who supported Carolyn and participated in her life and her care. She handled her recent diagnosis of early onset dementia with her characteristic grace and strong will, and her family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan. (https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/AlzheimersSaskatchewan/DonateNow.html) Following Covid protocols a private family Funeral Service will take place on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 1:30 pm.