Honourable Brenda Mary Robertson (nee Tubb)
1929-2020
With deep sorrow, we share the news of Brenda Mary
Robertson’s (nee Tubb) passing on the evening of September
23, 2020, at her home in Monarch Hall in Riverview, New
Brunswick.
Born on May 23, 1929, Brenda is predeceased by her husband
Wilmont “Willie” Robertson, brother Ron Tubb and sister
Thelma Hepple. She leaves to mourn children Douglas
(Katherine) Robertson, Moncton, NB; Leslie (Ken Wood), Winnipeg, MB;
and Tracy (Ross) Langley, Halifax, NS; as well as grandchildren
Cameron, Toronto, ON; Ellen (Bruno) Cohen, Halifax, NS; Mary (Marc
Thomson) Langley, Toronto, ON; Christopher (Victoria Rochon),
Oakville, ON; David Langley, Halifax, NS; and Wil Robertson, Moncton,
NB.
To truly appreciate Brenda’s uncompromising
determination, one must reflect on her formative years that were
shaped by her parents and their modest beginnings. Brenda
was a first-generation Canadian, born in Mount Hebron (Sus), and
grew up during the post-war era on the family farm. One of three
brothers orphaned and living on the streets of Birmingham, England,
James Tubb arrived at Pier 21 at the tender age of 9. He and
his brothers traveled to Middlemore in Saint John where they were
dispersed to work on farms in the surrounding area in exchange for
room and board. Farm work brought James to Alberta where he
enlisted with the 10th Artillery Division of
the Canadian Army and spent 4 years fighting for “his
country” in battles in the French theatre. He would
marry his nursemaid, Clara, who crossed the Atlantic Ocean with him
and settled on a tract of land awarded to him by the Canadian
government in honour of his service. Together they built a
homestead with farming operations that would require the help of
farmhands, including their children.
Brenda was the youngest of three children who were encouraged
to complete their education and pursue employment opportunities
outside of farming. Brenda graduated from Sus High School
in 1946. The class valedictorian was also a standout on the
debate team, baseball team, and her passion, basketball.
Brenda’s skill for basketball continued during her studies
at Mount Allison University where she completed her Bachelor of
Sciences degree in Home Economics in 1950, graduating Magna Cum
Laude.
Following what Brenda referred to as “a brief
stint” at teaching at Saint John High School that was just long
enough to confirm that the education system stifled her, she started
selling fine china and silverware. It was during this time
that she met and married her partner in life and business,
Wil. They married in 1955, started a family, and decided to
bring their business to Riverview. Despite her
nation-leading sales, Brenda was denied a sales office because she was
a female – so her husband Wil applied, and together they ran
one of the most successful sales offices in the country.
Brenda became active in the local chapter of the Progressive
Conservative Women’s Association during the 1960s, including
a period as their president. It was they who encouraged
Brenda to consider seeking the nomination for what was then the County
of Albert provincial riding. The riding would later become that of
Riverview, where she would serve as their first MLA. Before that, in
1967 she became the first female Member of the Legislative Assembly of
New Brunswick (MLA) and would be re-elected four more times until her
appointment to the Senate in 1984. Brenda became the first
female cabinet minister in 1970, serving in Richard
Hatfield’s government starting in 1970 as Minister of Youth
and later included portfolios such as Social Services and
Health. She did not shy away from undertaking challenging
tasks with great responsibility in her various portfolio’s,
including changing the name of the department of welfare to the
department of social services so that the breadth of support provided
by the department would be better reflected; not to mention lessen the
stigma of the department’s clients. However,
Brenda was most proud of the ExtraMural Program which she and her
devoted Deputy Minister Bill Morissey researched, developed, and
implemented. The program inspired healthcare reform across
the country and indeed the globe, and it remains a hallmark of
healthcare delivery today. In addition to her actions in government,
Brenda was a mentor throughout her life for numerous Premiers,
Senators, Members of Parliament, MLAs, Deputy Ministers, Executive
Assistants, and countless civil servants past and
present.
Prime Minister Brian Mulroney called Brenda to the senate in
1984 where she carried her wealth of knowledge and experience to the
national stage, for the betterment of all Canadians, particularly
regarding health and social services. She worked tirelessly until her
retirement at the age of 75 in 2004. Upon the occasion of her last
sitting in the Senate of Canada, Senators rose to honour Brenda
Robertson. The Hon. Noël A. Kinsella said this of Brenda in
tribute:
“Clearly, this senator is a role model – a
role model, yes, for women to participate in public affairs, but also
a role model for all who wish to excel in service to
society.”
Throughout her life and career, Brenda fought for the things
she believed in and cared about, doing so in a way that led others to
join her. Her leadership, achievements, passion, loyalty, and
commitment were honoured during and after her lengthy career in the
public sphere. In 1973, she was given an Honorary Doctorate of Humane
Letters from Mount Saint Vincent University. Following this, she was
awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977. In 1983,
l’Université de Moncton gave her an Honorary
Doctorate of Social Sciences. Brenda received the key to the Town of
Riverview as well. She received the Order of New Brunswick in 2004 and
was later bestowed with the Order of Canada in 2008. Brenda Robertson
was a true inspiration and trailblazer and leaves a legacy for not
only those who knew her, but for her community, province, and
country.
There will be no visitation and a private service will be
held for the family. A celebration of life will be planned at a later
date. Donations in Brenda’s memory may be made to the
Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation for the Angel Fund helping
breast cancer patients, the early fundraising for which she served as
honourary chair.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Honourable Brenda Mary Robertson nee Tubb 19292020..
Death notice for the town of: Riverview, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick