Margaret Bridget Bernadette Moss (Brede)
Slipped away from her earthly home as gently as she lived her life, on Saturday, April 7, 2018, surrounded by the love of family and friends. Born in Stranorlar, County Donegal, Ireland on May 28, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Denis and Mamie (Durnin) O’Flanagan. Brede was the brave, graceful, and strong heart of a large and boisterous family. The stalwart, loving wife, and dearest friend of Joseph Moss, whom she married on April 28, 1962. A selfless, patient, and forgiving mother, her death has broken the hearts of her husband and their eight children, Joseph, Ann Marie (Al Weber), Aideen (Michael Buckley), Rory (Ann Huff), Nirmala (Patrick Boucher), Clodagh (Michel Faigaux), Cyril (Meg Smith), and Aisling (Tony Stead). As Nana, Brede delighted in the presence of her eighteen grandchildren: Eilis, Niall, Rory, and Clodagh Weber; Ciarán, Caitríona, and Aidan Buckley; Viola and Sinéad Moss; Róisín, Saira, and Chandra Boucher; Daisuke and Mika Faigaux; Maeve and Joseph Moss; Lily and William Stead. Brede is survived by her brother, sister, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law in Ireland: Michael and Mary O’Flanagan, Kathleen and Seamus Byrne, Mary O’Flanagan, Sr. Helena Moss, Anna Marie and Olly Leavy, and Bridie Moss. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Brede was predeceased by brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Maura and Frank Cloonan, Patrick O’Flanagan, Denis O’Flanagan, Malachy and Pauline O’Flanagan, Regina and Hugh Britton, and James Moss; nephews, Raymond Cloonan, Thomas Britton, and Kieran Leavy; and beloved friend, Maggie McGrory. Brede lived in Stranorlar until her marriage when she and Joe moved to County Sligo, Ireland. While in Sligo, they owned and operated Hazelwood Gardens and welcomed four children. From there, with a sense of curiosity and adventure, Brede and Joe moved the family to work with the United Nations in Tanzania, Kenya, India, and Sri Lanka supporting agricultural development. They were blessed with two more children while in Sri Lanka before returning to Ireland and eventually settling in Canada, just south of Stratford on what has become Moss Berry Farm, where two more children arrived making the family complete. Brede and Joe raised their children while running a successful fruit and vegetable farm. After expanding their strawberry farm business to the Kitchener and Guelph area, Brede and Joe retired to Stratford. The strength of Brede and Joe’s commitment to each other and to hard work instilled a work ethic and tremendous family bond – a bond which continues today with all the spouses and grandchildren. Brede was the quiet one who held a very special spot in everyone’s heart and cared about “the little guy.” She dedicated her life to serving others and welcomed countless visitors into the home with incredible hospitality, creativity and wittiness. The family is grateful for their friends who have supported them over the years as Brede’s health started to decline. In particular, they would like to thank the care team who helped guide Brede and the family through her final journey: the STAR Family Health Team, staff at McCarthy Place and Cedarcroft Place retirement residences, staff at Medical Pharmacy at the Jennie Trout Centre, Kari-Lynn Gray from Seniors Mental Health, Dr. Marcela Bucur, nursing staff at Stratford General and South Huron Hospitals, the palliative nursing team, PSWs, OTs, PTs, and Fr. David Butler and Fr. Dick Bester. Tremendous gratitude lies with Dr. Sean Blaine whose patience, love, care and compassion for Brede was exceptional. The family also wishes to publicly acknowledge and thank Brede’s granddaughter, Eilis, a nurse who took a leave of absence to provide her Nana with the most dignified and loving care at home on the farm.
Visitation at the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford on Wednesday, April 11, from 4-8 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 96 Huron Street, Stratford on Thursday, April 12, at 11 a.m. Rev. Fr. David Butler – celebrant. Interment in Avondale Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Stratford Perth Rotary Hospice and St. Joseph’s Restoration Fund through the funeral home. 519.271.7411. www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Margaret Brede Moss 2018.source
Death notice for the town of: Stratford, Province: Ontario