Obituary of Jean Margaret Brodie

With heavy hearts, our family announces Jean’s passing on March 19 at Sprucedale Care Centre after a brief illness at 99 years of age.

Daughter of George and Sarah (Phelan) Noble, Jean spent her earliest years on a farm in Gordon Township, Manitoulin Island. In 1946, she married Glenn Campbell Brodie, her loving husband of forty-nine years, and moved to Melbourne Ontario where together they raised four daughters, and launched several successful businesses, including a feed store, grain elevator, and egg farm. Like so many of her generation who survived the Great Depression and World War II, Jean believed in hard work, honesty, and community. She was a tireless community volunteer, who was recognized by the province for her many decades of service to, among others, the Women’s Institute, the United Church, the Melbourne Library, and the Melbourne Quilters.

Jean will be remembered as a caring neighbour and friend who was always there to lend a hand, but also for her playfulness, and sharp wit. She touched many lives across several generations in the Melbourne community, often in quiet and heartfelt ways. In her later years, this community reciprocated with countless everyday kindnesses, from a ride to an event to clearing snow, enabling her to live independently in her home until her mid-90s when she moved to Sprucedale Care Centre in Strathroy. On recent birthdays, she was genuinely touched and amazed by the outpouring of birthday greetings that she received from present and former members of the Melbourne community. The family is especially grateful to Mom’s long-time and caring neighbours, Judy, and Harry.

Manitoulin Island, however, was core to Jean’s very being and she eagerly awaited returning there every summer with Glenn who was a relentless fisherman. Manitoulin was where Jean restored her spirit, watched her clan frolic in the lake, treated friends and family to superb fish dinners, and every evening watched “the most beautiful sunset in the world.”

Glenn passed away in 1995. Jean also was predeceased by her siblings and their spouses, Grant (Dorothy) Noble, James Noble, Noreen (Eric) Brown and Marion (Jim) Beange, by a generation of treasured friends and relatives both in Melbourne and on Manitoulin Island, and by her cherished pal at Sprucedale, Gerry. She is survived by her four daughters, Patricia (Lee), Gwen (Tom), Janine (Malinda), and Mary (Michael), eight grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and dear nephews and nieces. We have been blessed to have Jean in our lives for so many years. She lived her long and meaningful life with strength, dignity, generosity, and humour. Jean was one of a kind, and we will miss her dearly.

The family expresses its deep appreciation to the health professionals, and staff at Sprucedale for the incredible care and friendship they provided Mom in the past four years amidst a challenging pandemic, and, especially in her last days.

There will be a Graveside Service at Cook's Cemetery, Mount Brydges, on Saturday, June 24th, 2023 at 11:00 am. 

A celebration of Jean Noble Brodie’s remarkable life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 510, Melbourne, on Saturday, June 24th, 2023 from 12 noon to 3 pm. 

Donations to the Melbourne Library, or Family Council Sprucedale Care Centre (for Resident Activities) gratefully acknowledged.

Arrangements entrusted to Elliott-Madill Funeral Home Ltd. www.elliottmadill.com