Parcourez la nécrologie de Monique Brown December 13 1950

August 13 2024 résidant dans la province Ontario pour le détail des funérailles.
Monique Brown Obituary
Monique Brown (nee Chouinard) (December 13th, 1950 – August 13th, 2024) was born in Quebec City, fifteen minutes before her twin brother Guy, who arrived much to their mother’s surprise. Monique came into the world the same way she left it, holding her brother’s hand surrounded by the love and joy of her family. Monique concluded her story with all the love, joy, strength, dignity, and grace for which she was so well known. Monique is survived by her two loving daughters Jacqueline Furtner and Dr. Natalie Kivell, her two cherished son-in-law’s Simon Furtner and Kurt Kivell, her two adoring grandchildren Josephine (Joey) Furtner, and Audrey Kivell, and her two brothers Guy and Jacques (Robert Guenette) Chouinard. She is predeceased by her mother Mariette Chouinard (nee Bienvenu), her father Lt. General Jacques Chouinard, and her husband Dr. Lee Brown.
Growing up and as a young adult, Monique lived in many places with her family following military postings for her father, including Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Camp Valcartier, Rivers Manitoba, and three different postings overseas in Germany in Werl (in 1955 and 1965) and Lahr in 1970. During her stint in Lahr she met, fell in love with, and married the then military dentist Dr. Lee Brown. Monique and Lee, (known to many of their oldest friends as Nikki and Charlie) married August 18th,1973 and spent their first four years of marriage living in the Black Forest region of Germany, skiing in the Austrian alps, and flying their Cessna all over Europe for adventure after adventure. When they moved back to Canada Monique and Lee moved to London, ON for Lee to complete his Orthodontics program. Monique worked to support Lee through his schooling and once complete they moved to Owen Sound in 1978 and purchased the Owen Sound Dental Clinic, where Lee opened an orthodontics practice and Monique kept the practice and their lives running smoothly. They chose Owen Sound for their forever home, laid down their roots, built a beautiful community, and raised their two daughters.
Monique was always up for an adventure, and not only that, she would be prepared to feed everyone and anyone who joined them on those adventures. Monique was an avid skier, golfer, and boater and remained open to new adventures and experiences including this past Fall when she traveled to South Africa and surrounding countries with friends. She managed to convince many of her fellow travelers to zip line across Victoria Falls even though her health wouldn’t allow her that particular adventure. She has paraglided, gone heli–skiing, snorkeled in the great barrier reef, co-piloted Lee’s Cessna where the two of them were known to fly upside down and twirl through the sky chasing adrenaline and making memories.
Monique, at her core, was joyful. Joy oozed out of her pores. You could see it in her twinkling blue eyes, feel it in her contagious laughter, and find yourself craving her smile that would light up any room. You couldn’t help but feel loved and happy when in her presence. She had a way of making you feel special, feel heard and seen. She had an openness that created safe spaces for us all to be ourselves, and to be unconditionally loved and supported in the journey of figuring out who that is. This safe space might have been a hug on a hard day, or inviting you to stay or live with us as she welcomed you into our family. Her daughters could always tell when she was on the phone with one of her brothers, because there was a special layer of joy and laughter she saved only for them – one where she would laugh so hard she would be crying and no one but them could understand the words she was saying through the laughter. Monique made friends everywhere she went. If you’ve met her, laughed with her, then she considers you a friend. Many, even those who may not know her name, have likely found themselves smiling, or having a better day after standing next to her in a grocery line, in an elevator, or passing her on the street. She sought out ways to connect with people. And it didn’t seem to matter if that someone was family, or someone she would never see again – she shared her joy with you.
We come from a small but mighty family. So, when moving to Owen Sound as a new place, she built us a huge chosen family creating opportunities for love and lifelong kinship, weaving a tapestry of friends who became aunts, uncles, and cousins to her children and now grandchildren. The only thing she loved more than being a mom (to her two girls and to all of her chosen children) was being a Nana. Her two grandchildren were equally showered with her love. She instilled in them her love of life and her joy in creative expression – in cooking, baking, in making art, and in her love of music. A sure way to get Monique to smile would be singing her favourite songs with the girls while dancing around the kitchen together. Monique was ‘mom’ and now ‘nana’ to many and she has stayed connected with so many of people as they grew into adulthood where she continued to celebrate and support their achievements. It would be a perfectly normal day for her to walk into a busy room and have a dozen people greet her with “hi mom!”.
Monique loved cooking and hosting gatherings and celebrations. Preparing food was her way of bringing comfort, showing love, and holding space for the people around her. She was known for her parties and it would not phase her to make homemade appetizers and desserts for the dozens (or more!) that would descend on her home. This love for cooking and love for building community drove much of her volunteering and community engagement. In one of the many ways she ‘made things happen’ she co-founded the breakfast club at Victoria Public School here in Owen sound in the mid 90’s and dutifully made food for the children of school every morning for years.
Monique had a strong sense of justice and was determined to leave the world better than she found it, a lesson she shared with her children and community through her everyday actions, resistances, and generous heart. With a great understanding of her privilege, she would enthusiastically, without hesitation, help anyone in need. To Monique, helping others wasn’t a choice, it was fundamental to who she was and this continued throughout her life, and will live on through her daughters in whom she instilled the importance of helping others.
Monique will be deeply missed by so many. As a matriarch, the life of the party, the glue, our compass, and our safe place for hugs, snuggles, and comfort food. Her absence will leave a lasting impact on our family and on the Owen Sound community.
A Memorial Visitation for Monique will be held at Brian E. Wood Funeral Home, 250 14th St. W., Owen Sound, 519-376-7492, on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 from 1-3 and 5-7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers Monique would have appreciated her family and friends ongoing contributions to our community with your time, love, or where possible, monetary contributions. Donations to Safe ‘N Sound Grey Bruce, Grey Bruce Hospice – Chapman House, or any place, person, or family that you see can use a little heart and a little sprinkle of Monique’s love will keep her ripples of goodness alive. Online condolences can be sent to Monique’s family by visiting her memorial at www.woodfuneralhome.ca.
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December 13 1950

August 13 2024

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Décès pour la Ville:Owen Sound, Province: Ontario

avis deces Monique Brown December 13 1950

August 13 2024

nécrologie Monique Brown December 13 1950

August 13 2024

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