In Memoriam Calgary Herald
April 21, 2022
Donna Kathleen Brasso (nee Thomson)
April 30, 1943 - April 21, 2021
Mom/Mama, the year has flown by, but not a day passes that we don't think of you. Your laughter, hugs, warmth and strength are with us always and we miss you so much. You were the rock of our family, keeping the home fires burning and all the tops spinning in the busy, full, varied life and family you and Dad/Papa built over the years. You literally and figuratively always kept the boat provisioned and the crew outfitted and cared for while your skipper steered the ship, and rode the waves together whether the seas were calm or rough. And while you were a self-proclaimed homebody who felt happiest on the ranch, you were always game for another adventure and new horizon. After proudly representing Calgary as our Golden Jubilee Stampede Queen and Miss Rodeo Canada, and then leaving a successful teaching career to raise your family, you devoted yourself completely to your role as a wonderful wife, mother, grandma, daughter and sister. But even though family was your focus, you also shared your talents and time with many worthwhile causes, including co-founding the Calgary Stampede Queens' Alumni to support local charities. Your energy, practicality and organizational skills were remarkable and you could always be counted on to just "get things done" without fuss or fanfare. Never one to be idle, once the husband, kids, critters, accounting, ranch work, housework and many other obligations were looked after, you threw yourself into hobbies and interests with skill and enthusiasm. Your garden was large and bountiful, your flowerbeds abundant and beautiful, and your crafts and gorgeous needlepoint creations are now treasured heirlooms. You could always be counted on for a hug, a kind word, a gentle nudge or even a loving kick in the butt when that was what the situation required. You were a confidante, an advisor, a soft place to land, a shoulder to cry on and a hand up. You were always empathetic but wouldn't let us wallow; you celebrated our wins and supported us through our losses. Through all of life's ups and downs, your unconditional love, support, positivity and friendship were a blessing to us all. Over the past few years as your health declined, we watched you fight a quiet, brave battle with the grace, humour and strength befitting a rancher's daughter and wife - and a Queen. That you and your cowboy rode off into the sunset on the same day, at home and surrounded by family, still amazes us. While losing you both at once was a hard blow, knowing that divine intervention and your abiding love for one another led you to greener pastures together brings us all great comfort.
Love always from your daughters Celia (Kirk), Kristen and Alison (Kris), grandchildren Paige, Bryten, Hunter, Ava, Mia, Amara and Alex, sister Marian (Kim) and your many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends
As we work on ways to celebrate Einar and Donna, we would be so grateful for any stories and anecdotes of their lives. To share, please visit www.forevermissed.com/brassomemorial
April 30, 1943 - April 21, 2021
Mom/Mama, the year has flown by, but not a day passes that we don't think of you. Your laughter, hugs, warmth and strength are with us always and we miss you so much. You were the rock of our family, keeping the home fires burning and all the tops spinning in the busy, full, varied life and family you and Dad/Papa built over the years. You literally and figuratively always kept the boat provisioned and the crew outfitted and cared for while your skipper steered the ship, and rode the waves together whether the seas were calm or rough. And while you were a self-proclaimed homebody who felt happiest on the ranch, you were always game for another adventure and new horizon. After proudly representing Calgary as our Golden Jubilee Stampede Queen and Miss Rodeo Canada, and then leaving a successful teaching career to raise your family, you devoted yourself completely to your role as a wonderful wife, mother, grandma, daughter and sister. But even though family was your focus, you also shared your talents and time with many worthwhile causes, including co-founding the Calgary Stampede Queens' Alumni to support local charities. Your energy, practicality and organizational skills were remarkable and you could always be counted on to just "get things done" without fuss or fanfare. Never one to be idle, once the husband, kids, critters, accounting, ranch work, housework and many other obligations were looked after, you threw yourself into hobbies and interests with skill and enthusiasm. Your garden was large and bountiful, your flowerbeds abundant and beautiful, and your crafts and gorgeous needlepoint creations are now treasured heirlooms. You could always be counted on for a hug, a kind word, a gentle nudge or even a loving kick in the butt when that was what the situation required. You were a confidante, an advisor, a soft place to land, a shoulder to cry on and a hand up. You were always empathetic but wouldn't let us wallow; you celebrated our wins and supported us through our losses. Through all of life's ups and downs, your unconditional love, support, positivity and friendship were a blessing to us all. Over the past few years as your health declined, we watched you fight a quiet, brave battle with the grace, humour and strength befitting a rancher's daughter and wife - and a Queen. That you and your cowboy rode off into the sunset on the same day, at home and surrounded by family, still amazes us. While losing you both at once was a hard blow, knowing that divine intervention and your abiding love for one another led you to greener pastures together brings us all great comfort.
Love always from your daughters Celia (Kirk), Kristen and Alison (Kris), grandchildren Paige, Bryten, Hunter, Ava, Mia, Amara and Alex, sister Marian (Kim) and your many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends
As we work on ways to celebrate Einar and Donna, we would be so grateful for any stories and anecdotes of their lives. To share, please visit www.forevermissed.com/brassomemorial
Published on April 21, 2022
