I only just met Mary last year when we had the sad misfortune to lose Beate Rapien.  I was so impressed with her independence and sharp vitality.  She was a delight to talk to and I'm glad I had the chance to meet her.  She will be very much missed.  My sincere condolences to the Brunner and Rapien families.

I want to extend my sympathy to Mary's family.  I taught with her early in my career. I enjoyed talking to her when I saw her at events that I attended at St. Giles over the years.  Mary always had time to chat even if I ran into her in the grocery store.

Miss Brunner was my Grade 7 and 8 Home Economics teacher at G.L.Armstrong school in 1958/59. She taught me how to sew a mint green apron and royal blue bloomers for gym and also how to make some culinary delights!  She was a member of the Hamilton Home Economics Association as was my mother. Recently, on May 14, 2012,  my mother and I saw Mary at a VON reception. We both spoke to her and admired her pretty pink suit which she was wearing and which she had made herself. She told us she was still driving for Meals-on-Wheels. (My mother and Mary are the same age.) She looked very pretty and fit and so we were quite surprised to read of her passing. Our sympathy is extended to her family at this time. 
Margaret and Mary Jane Farrar  Mount Hope, ON

My sincere sympathy to the family of 'Miss Brunner'.  She was my Home-Economics teacher during my time at George L. Armstrong School in late 1950's.  Her detailed instructions in sewing class encouraged the sewing I  continue to do to this day.  Under her watchful eye, I made my first apron, skirt and pot-holder.....ripping out lines of stitching if they were not up to standard.  This taught me always to do my best.
 I also learned from her that you dust 'after' you vacuum.  
And I never forgotthe delicious'Lemon Snow' we made in her class....and have never been able to quite dulicate it since.
She left me with wonderful memories from the past which I will always cherish and be grateful for. 

Charlotte (Feswick) Miller

"One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings" -Carl Jung

Our sincere condolences to Mary's family from her friends and former colleagues of  the Hamilton-Wentworth Branch of the Retired Women Teachers of Ontario.

My condolences to Mary`s family.I first met Mary in 1964 when I was an exchange teacher from England. She was so kind and helpful in teaching us Canadian ways. Over the years, since I became a Canadian, our paths have crossed in many areas particularly at events at St. Giles where she will be greatly missed.We always shared a funny story.I will be out of town this weekend and am sorry not to be at the memorial service.

Pat Barton

We extend our sympathies to Miss Brunner's family.  At the same time, we feel compelled to tell our story of how, as our Home Economics teacher at Highview Public School in Hamilton, she affected our lives:   Miss Brunner taught us how to iron, to sew and to cross stitch with serious discipline during the late 1960's and early 1970's. We didn't want to learn this stuff as these were the days of women's rights, Carnaby Street and Yardley City Slicker lipsticks and we wanted to grow to be cool women with choices for careers more than stay-at-home housewives that she was grooming us for. 
What we didn't realize is her long-standing impact on our everyday lives!  I think she somehow inspired me to sew for years after - always reminding myself of her strict  instructions as I made my fancy disco outfits. In a sense, she was probably the inspiration for our hand-made unique bridesmaids' gowns in 1977! To this day, I hear her distinctive voice as I remind my husband or kids to wash the glasses first, then the cutlery and then the plates.  She is one teacher who made a memorable mark on our lives and I do hope that she came to know her strong influence over time.  Rest in Peace, Miss Brunner.

OBITUARY

Mary Louise Brunner

September 9, 1920 – July 9, 2012

Marlatt Funeral Home & Cremation Centre

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