From: Guy and Lois Bouchard
Relation: Friends

We extend our deepest condolences to Brighid’s family and friends. Brighid was a hardworking volunteer at the Boscombe Community Center and a dear friend. Her willingness to help out in any capacity was very much appreciated. We so enjoyed her stories of Ireland and her sense of humour. Brighid was a lovely, generous person. She will be missed by all who knew her.

From: Dawn Symic
Relation: Freind & Fellow Progressian

My thoughts and prayers are with Brighid’s family at this difficult time. I was a close friend and fellow member of the Canadian Progress Club Marigolds. Brighid and I shared many warm, wonderful moments together. I deeply regret that we lost contact with each other.
Deepest Sympathy
Dawn Symic

From: Patrick Meagher (Ottawa, Canada)
Relation: friend

Today is Brighid’s birthday. I call her every year on her birthday. Last year was the first time I missed. We have seven young children and I forgot.

Brighid and I were neighbours for three years in Edmonton (1994-1996). She was my best friend. We shared a lot of laughs and stories and problems and she seemed to always know what to say. I loved her dearly. She was 20 years older than I. She was my big sister.

I called her tonight and a strange voice answered. I had a wrong number. I thought she had moved to Ireland. I googled her name and found this obituary.

I am really numbed by this news. If anyone can tell me what happened, please reply.

Brighid was one of the funniest people I ever met. But I always felt a little sad for her, after hearing the story of her life. She was a young woman living in Ireland and had just finished her first year of medicine. Then she had an operation on her ear that should have been straightforward. A nerve was accidentally cut that affected her face. She would never be able to smile on both sides of her mouth again. That one terrible moment changed everything. She dropped out school, never married.

Her history helped me to understand some of her struggles with the Catholic Church, as she felt God let her down. But she was a strong believer in God. Our conversations were always among the three of us: Me, Brighid and God. She had a deep faith. They didn’t always see eye-to-eye.
You took me in like the orphan I was when I first moved to Edmonton years ago. I lived across the street and often ran over to say hello and we would talk for hours. I am eternally grateful. May God bless you, Brighid McGarry.
pmeagher@live.ca