Obituary for Edith Danna (Broadhurst)
DANNA, Edith (nee Broadhurst)
1931-2021
With profound sorrow, the family of Edith Amelia (née Broadhurst) Danna share the sad news of her death, in the early morning hours of May 21, 2021, at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington, Ontario. Edie was predeceased by her beloved husband, Frank A. Danna (July 1978). She was also predeceased by her mother, Jeanne Hancox Everett (2000), and by her stepfather, Harry Everett (2006). Edith will be mourned and remembered forever by her loving children, Mychael (Aparna Bhargava), Elizabeth, Jeffrey (Brenda), Jennifer (Rick Newton), and by her adored grandchildren: Arjun and Keshav Danna, Frank, Hugh and Arden Danna, and Jessica and Jordan Newton (Shane Vandevalk).
Edie was born in Winnipeg Manitoba, on November 18, 1931 into an unconventional household of politically engaged and active thinkers and suffragettes. She met her husband, Frank, through their choral and musical interests in school in Winnipeg and they were married in 1955. Their move to Burlington Ontario in 1958 brought their young family to a growing new community in which Edie thrived. She was a teacher, and later an Educational Assistant, with the Halton School Board. Edith spent her adult life in Burlington connected to Port Nelson United Church, in multiple capacities: in their choir, with the UCW, and by contributing her remarkable sewing talents in items made for home and apparel. Edie was a talented gardener, and loved her pets. She read broadly and shared her love of learning, and opinions gleaned from reading, with her children, grandchildren, and all whom she knew.
Edie loved to travel with her young family. On one occasion, with her late husband, they provided chaperoning for the Ontario Youth Concert Band 1971 European tour. In later years, as Edie's children grew up, two of whom moved to California, she would often travel to see them, and with them, as her children had 'Grandma' accompany them as a resident travel-history-research assistant, and a loving child-care provider. Edie knew much about the varied places to which she was honoured to travel: Italy to India, Pompeii to St. Paul's: if you wished to learn of arcane history or of lesser-celebrated participants in global events, recent or past, Edith could either provide you with the information, or refer one to preferred resource material.
Edie's life was rich in experiences and in unfailing attention to correspondence, whether by phone, visit, or in writing. She maintained her friendships through this difficult year and continued to share anecdotes, opinions, and memories up until her last weeks. She was a blessing in the lives of many, and her numerous intellectual and creative gifts will live on in her legacy to her children and grandchildren, to her church, and to friends. The tenacity of Edie's approach to learning, and the way in which she savoured newfound knowledge, or new experiences, informs the way those who loved her best will continue to live, and learn, and grow old.
In Edie's final year, she lived at The Village of Tansley Woods, and the family thanks all of those who contributed to their mother's comfort, there. In our mother's final weeks, she received medical and compassionate care at Joseph Brant for which we offer profound gratitude to the extraordinary kindness of the physicians, nurses, and staff.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Edith Danna's name to Port Nelson United Church/ PNUC (options for online giving may be seen on the Port Nelson home page, portnelson.ca or etransfer to office@portnelson.ca, or by cheque mailed to the church office.) Due to current provincial COVID restrictions and guidelines, there will be no service now. Later in the year, a Memorial Service of Life and Remembrance for Edith Danna will be held at Port Nelson United Church, Burlington, Ontario. (Smith's Funeral Home is responsible for final arrangements).
1931-2021
With profound sorrow, the family of Edith Amelia (née Broadhurst) Danna share the sad news of her death, in the early morning hours of May 21, 2021, at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington, Ontario. Edie was predeceased by her beloved husband, Frank A. Danna (July 1978). She was also predeceased by her mother, Jeanne Hancox Everett (2000), and by her stepfather, Harry Everett (2006). Edith will be mourned and remembered forever by her loving children, Mychael (Aparna Bhargava), Elizabeth, Jeffrey (Brenda), Jennifer (Rick Newton), and by her adored grandchildren: Arjun and Keshav Danna, Frank, Hugh and Arden Danna, and Jessica and Jordan Newton (Shane Vandevalk).
Edie was born in Winnipeg Manitoba, on November 18, 1931 into an unconventional household of politically engaged and active thinkers and suffragettes. She met her husband, Frank, through their choral and musical interests in school in Winnipeg and they were married in 1955. Their move to Burlington Ontario in 1958 brought their young family to a growing new community in which Edie thrived. She was a teacher, and later an Educational Assistant, with the Halton School Board. Edith spent her adult life in Burlington connected to Port Nelson United Church, in multiple capacities: in their choir, with the UCW, and by contributing her remarkable sewing talents in items made for home and apparel. Edie was a talented gardener, and loved her pets. She read broadly and shared her love of learning, and opinions gleaned from reading, with her children, grandchildren, and all whom she knew.
Edie loved to travel with her young family. On one occasion, with her late husband, they provided chaperoning for the Ontario Youth Concert Band 1971 European tour. In later years, as Edie's children grew up, two of whom moved to California, she would often travel to see them, and with them, as her children had 'Grandma' accompany them as a resident travel-history-research assistant, and a loving child-care provider. Edie knew much about the varied places to which she was honoured to travel: Italy to India, Pompeii to St. Paul's: if you wished to learn of arcane history or of lesser-celebrated participants in global events, recent or past, Edith could either provide you with the information, or refer one to preferred resource material.
Edie's life was rich in experiences and in unfailing attention to correspondence, whether by phone, visit, or in writing. She maintained her friendships through this difficult year and continued to share anecdotes, opinions, and memories up until her last weeks. She was a blessing in the lives of many, and her numerous intellectual and creative gifts will live on in her legacy to her children and grandchildren, to her church, and to friends. The tenacity of Edie's approach to learning, and the way in which she savoured newfound knowledge, or new experiences, informs the way those who loved her best will continue to live, and learn, and grow old.
In Edie's final year, she lived at The Village of Tansley Woods, and the family thanks all of those who contributed to their mother's comfort, there. In our mother's final weeks, she received medical and compassionate care at Joseph Brant for which we offer profound gratitude to the extraordinary kindness of the physicians, nurses, and staff.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Edith Danna's name to Port Nelson United Church/ PNUC (options for online giving may be seen on the Port Nelson home page, portnelson.ca or etransfer to office@portnelson.ca, or by cheque mailed to the church office.) Due to current provincial COVID restrictions and guidelines, there will be no service now. Later in the year, a Memorial Service of Life and Remembrance for Edith Danna will be held at Port Nelson United Church, Burlington, Ontario. (Smith's Funeral Home is responsible for final arrangements).