Obituary of Verla Browne

With heavy hearts, we announce Verla Browne passed away on January 28, 2017, in her 93rd year. Throughout her life, Verla sought opportunities to contribute to her community, to keep current about social justice and political issues, and to support her six children. She faced the many challenges of life with quiet determination, and a warm smile. Verla was born to Norman and Elva Simpson in Swift Current Saskatchewan. Norman and Elva made sure their daughters had educational opportunities that they never had. Upon graduating from grade 12, Verla’s parents gave her a tennis racket, and from that point on, tennis was one of the joys of her life. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan in 1947. She treasured the sisterhood of the Saskatoon City Hospital Nurses and, in particular, her long friendship with Margaret Fredeen. Verla’s only sibling, Madeline Roundy, passed away in 1964, leaving her husband Darryl, and three young sons Chet, Roger, and Scott. Verla and Donald E.Browne were married from 1948-1980, Verla and Don had six children. Music lessons and practicing piano were a priority in the Browne household. She loved classical music and theatre. In her many years at home with children, the classical music and radio programming of the CBC were playing on the radio. Verla encouraged her children of her passion for music, the value of education, and the belief that each of us could do anything we set our mind to. Verla resumed her nursing career in the 1970’s. Upon returning to Saskatoon in 1981, she worked as Head Nurse at the Sherbrooke Community Centre, until her retirement in 1989. She worked to develop policies and practices that enhanced the quality of residents’ lives. She created a workplace where all staff were an integral part of the care team. Verla had a devotion to faith and the United Church of Canada were she had many friends in Watrous, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Lloydminster, Moose Jaw and Grosvenor Park Most recently, Verla joined McClure United Church, and volunteered on many boards and committees for Outreach Committee, McClure Tower, Amy McClure house. Her faith and her politics were constant companions in her life. Cherishing their memories of Verla are daughters Nancy of Scottsdale, Arizona; Beverley of Edmonton, and Maureen of Graz, Austria; sons Murray (Madeleine) of Edmonton; Madisun (Pat) of Kamloops, and Donald of Montréal; grandchildren Matthew Greve of Tempe, Arizona, Carolyn Greve (Etienne) of Ottawa, Joselyn Morrison (Rob) of Iqaluit, Andrew Morrison (Nancy) of Iqaluit, Mike Browne (Danielle) of Edmonton, Lara Alsop (Chris) of Edmonton, and Elisabeth Hoeldrich of Graz, Austria; and great grandchildren Kaedan, Ethan, Abby, Liam of Edmonton and Harper, Viivi and Laivi of Iqaluit. Verla was predeceased by her sister, mentioned earlier, and her grandson, Christian Browne.