Janet Brackenbury

March 28, 1928 Alexandria, Egypt - June 6, 2023 Shawnigan Lake BC

With sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of our Mum on Tuesday June 6, at age 95. She is survived by her three sons, Hugh (Julie), Mike, John, numerous nieces, and nephews, and predeceased by her husband Hugh in 1993. She was the last of her generation being predeceased by her parents and all siblings and in-laws.

Janet was born in Alexandria, Egypt, where her father was fulfilling a military posting. The family soon relocated to Quarry Point (Whiskey Point) in Mill Bay. Janet grew up with her siblings Paddy, Jack, Antisell, and Mary, in the same house she would later go on to raise her own family. She was the kind of child that was up for anything. She was present and unafraid. Janet excelled at piano and tennis in her teens. Her ridiculous patience and relentless ground strokes drove opponents to madness, causing them to take chances and lose, generally. Her beloved brother Jack, her favourite opponent, was largely responsible for this. She was often out racing the hills on a loved horse.

After earning her degree and teaching certificate from Western University in London Ontario, she began her teaching career substituting in Vancouver. Later she taught at Cowichan High, George Bonner, the one room wood stove heated Sylvania schoolhouse in Cobble Hill and at Brentwood College. While at Cowichan High, she met a math teacher with a certain charm named Hugh Brackenbury. He wasted little time and they were married in July 1955 at St. Francis Xavier church in Mill Bay, where Janet was a long-time devoted parishioner. Along came the lucky boys Hugh, Mike and John, who were raised in a loving home with lots of room to roam. A family Winnebago trip every summer staying in $2 Provincial Park campsites, making memories, and instilling in the boys a love of BC, and other beautiful places. They were unforgettable times.

Janet spent her last 3 years at Acacia Ty Mawr in Shawnigan Lake, under the care of their compassionate, remarkable staff. Their grace and kindness were so appreciated, it could never be adequately expressed.

A life that touches others goes on forever. Janet’s eerie wisdom about people and things, and her authentic compassion drew students, especially at Brentwood College, a boarding school, to confide in her. Kids away from home, scared, lonely, intimidated, unsure, worried about family issues, whatever it was, they came to her. She seemed to know when to just listen and when to advise. It wasn’t only students, either. Without doubt Janet’s spirit lives on in the lives she’s touched, all over this earth.

Prayers offered on June 26, 2023 @ 7:00 PM St. Francis Xavier Church, Mill Bay BC.

Service on June 27, 2023 @ 12:00 St. Francis Xavier Church, Mill Bay BC.

In lieu of flowers please donate to a favourite charity or pass a kindness to another in her memory.