Brenda Carol Mousseau
September 22, 1958 – September 27, 2023
On September 27th, 2023, Brenda Carol Mousseau (McLay) loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister passed away at the age of 65, surrounded by her loved ones at the Dryden Regional Health Centre, after a very short battle with cancer.
Brenda is survived by her husband, Darryl Mousseau and daughters, Denise (Dennis) and Melissa (Troy), grandchildren; Teegan, Rowen, Kobie and Tallee, her mother, Cecilia Heil and siblings Debbie (Bryan), Bruce (Annelie), Georgette (Steve), Denise (Bill), Lori, Laura and Allan as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. She is predeceased by her father Gilbert McLay and step-father Stan Heil, brothers Glenn McLay and Randolph McLay.
Brenda was born in Dryden, Ontario on September 22, 1958 to Cecilia Heil and Gilbert McLay. She attended St. Joseph’s School and the Dryden High School where she was a cheerleader and crowned freshie princess. Brenda started volunteering as a Candy Striper at the Dryden Hospital at 16 years old in 1974.
Brenda being the very caring and compassionate person she was, decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps becoming a Registered Practical Nurse at the Dryden Regional Health Centre in 1979. Brenda worked in various departments of the hospital throughout her 44 year career, but remained in the CSR department since 2001. Brenda loved her job, her coworkers and made strong connections within the DRHC community. Brenda was planning to retire in January 2024.
Brenda welcomed daughters, Denise in 1980 and Melissa in 1983 with her former spouse Richard Szachury. Although this relationship wasn’t permanent, they along with their families remained close even after Richards’s passing in 2016 and Brenda will always reign as the “favourite” daughter-in-law.
Brenda had an incredible relationship with her girls and they enjoyed many activities together such as karate, beach volleyball and baseball. The trio spent many nights practicing katas and sparring in the high school gym with the Dryden Isshin-Ryu Karate Club. Brenda achieved her 4th degree black belt and volunteered her time teaching karate to youth in the community for many years. Brenda will always be remembered throughout her martial arts days as being a dedicated, spirited and sometimes mischievous student and teacher.
Brenda met the love of her life, Darryl in 2001. After a short courtship and her irresistible cooking skills, Darryl popped the question and the two were married on April 20, 2002. Brenda and Darryl spent the last 22 years together creating a loving home, spending time with family, friends and doting over their grandchildren. Brenda’s grandchildren were her pride and joy and you would always see her cheering them on at the rink, baseball diamonds, soccer field or gymnasium courtside. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and watching them in whatever activity they were involved in. The kids loved their visits and sleepovers at grandma’s house as she would spoil them rotten and they always got to eat any treat they wanted from her candy drawer.
Brenda was someone who loved to help those in need, a trusted loyal friend, loving spouse, mother and grandmother. Her kind heart, fun loving spirit, smiling face and infectious laugh will be greatly missed and cherished in the hearts of all who knew her.
We are sincerely grateful to the many friends who have given us support and comfort during this time of loss. Thank you to all the staff at DRHC who made sure Brenda was comfortable and the family was taken care of during their stay. Thank you to Barb Gibbins in the kitchen for preparing the snacks and refreshments that kept us going. Special thank you to Dr. Goulet, Sarah Degagne, Sonia Lambert, Sarah Wanio, Bev Norman and Savanah Kuzemchuk who took such loving care of Brenda not only as their patient, but also their co-worker and dear friend. Thank you to Crystal Rollins for organizing her honour walk and to all the staff that attended in support. Finally, to Brenda’s trusted sidekick Ina for arranging all the video birthday messages for her 65th and to “her boys” for not listening to her and coming over with birthday cake anyway!
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at The Centre. Interment will take place at a later date at the Dryden Cemetery.
The family invites friends and family to please join us via zoom link if unable to attend.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89021329914?pwd=y4apBtiKn18qcAu76jrZbQ49X5Pkh7.1
If so desired, donations may be made to the Dryden Regional Health Centre Palliative Care Department, PO Box 3003, Dryden, ON, P8N 2X6
Arrangements entrusted to Dryden Community Funeral Home
249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON, P8N 2X3
