BRU - The sudden passing of Mabel Bru age 93, of North Battleford, Sk. occurred on July 4, 2013. She was born to Howard & Marie-Louise LaClare on August 22, 1919 in Edam, Saskatchewan. Mabel married Joseph Bru on September 22, 1941. They lived on a farm in the Jackfish area where they raised their 10 children. She loved to tend to her huge gardens which produced many vegetables for freezing and canning to provide for her large family. Mabel was also known for spending many, many hours berry picking which resulted in saskatoon and bumbleberry pies that were scrumptiously enjoyed by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; not to mention all the delicious cakes, donuts, cookies, buns and cinnamon buns - they were the best! One of her favorite winter pastimes was knitting. Many of her children were proud to model her famous Cowichan sweaters and in her later years her grandchildren and great grandchildren were recipients of her slippers, mittens, toques and blankets! In her early fifties, Mabel took up the game of golf which she and Joseph thoroughly enjoyed going into their retirement years. When their son took over the farm in 1971 they moved into North Battleford. After the passing of her husband in 1998, Mabel remained at Tara Condominium until May of 2012 when she moved into Harwood Manor. Although her time at the Manor was short, she made many new friends and renewed old acquaintances. She also appreciated the staff who provided her with excellent care. Left to cherish Mabel's memory are her children: Clem (Jerry) McGrath, North Battleford, Sk.; Bernadette (Elvin) Nelson, Saskatoon, Sk.; Claude (Jacqueline) Bru, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Bernard (Diane) Bru, Martinson's Beach, Sk.; Louise (Roger) deMontarnal, North Battleford, Sk.; Jackie (Gordon) Hagen, Swift Current, Sk.; Gisele (Bernard) Blais, Delorme's Beach, Sk.; Henri (Linda) Bru, Calgary, AB.; Irene (Doug) Osborn Saskatoon, Sk.; son-in-law, Gary Colbow, Yorkton, Sk.; 21 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; sisters, Pauline Cadrin, Phyllis Deschamps, Marie (Jules) Liebaert; sisters-in-law, Betty LaClare, Cecile LaClare, Henriette Bru. Mabel was predeceased by her loving husband, Joseph, her daughter, Madeleine Colbow, her granddaughter-in-law, Lisa Macdonald-Bru; her parents, Howard and Marie - Louise LaClare; her brothers, Leopold, Gilbert, Walter and Clarence LaClare. Prayers were said on Sunday, July 7, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. from St. Andre's Roman Catholic Church with Jean Pawlus presiding, Charles & Anne Baillargeon and Linda Levesque providing the music. Funeral Mass was held on July 8, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. from St. Leon Roman Catholic Church with Reverend Father Gerard Legaspi as celebrant. The music ministry was provided by Camarilla Choir. Honorary pallbearers were her newly formed family at Harwood Manor, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Pallbearers were Kim McGrath, Greg Nelson, Guy Bru, Michael Bru, Blair deMontarnal and Dustin Bru. Interment was in St. Leon's Cemetery, Jackfish, Sk. Arrangements were entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium, North Battleford, Sk. Memorial donations may be made to the ALS Society of Saskatchewan, 90 C Cavendish Street, Regina, Sk. S4N 5G7, or a charity of choice. Cards of Thanks The family of the late Mabel Bru would like to thank their many relatives and friends for the donations and kind support during their loss. A special thanks to Trevor Watts for his compassion and guidance, to Jean Pawlus for presiding at the vigil service, Charles & Anne Baillargeon, Linda Levesque and the Camarilla Choir for providing music for the services and to St. Leon ladies for providing the lunch. To Father Gerard, a big thank you for his compassionate words and for providing our Mom with spiritual support during the past few years. We would also like to thank the staff at the Harwood Manor for the great care they provided to our Mom during her time with them. She will be sadly missed.
