Howie Centre
Born in Pembroke, Ontario on August 24th, 1970, Danielle passed away at her home in Howie Centre, on Friday, November 12, 2021. Danielle was surrounded by her family who found comfort in knowing that she peacefully left this world to join her father, Daniel and beloved pup, Bailey. Her family knows Danielle is now a guardian angel looking down on us all with a smile on her face.
Danielle will be forever loved and missed by her husband, Bill, her soul mate, best friend, and partner in crime. She was immensely proud of her son, Jahred Smith, who learned how to be the best parent through her example. Her other children, William and Cailey ‘Miss K’ were grateful to have Danielle in their lives. Her grandson, Edrick was a bright light for Danielle, and she loved watching him grow, play and explore over the past ten months. Dani is also survived by her mother, Elva and her six sisters, Wanda (Rob) McWhirter, Marilyn (Doug) Tait, Janice (Paul) Bedard, Nancy (Leo) Helstein, Michele (Mike) Biesenthal, all from the Pembroke/Petawawa area, and Lisa Brauen (Ottawa); father-in-law, Bert; sisters and brothers-in-law; as well as several aunts, uncles, many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
Aside from her father, Danielle was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Emile and Ann Hoffman; paternal grandparents, Walter, Lily and Annie Brauen; mother-in-law, Ollie and her brother-in-law, Joël Gaudette.
Danielle loved animals and always had dogs and cats as part of her family. She studied to be a veterinarian technician at St. Lawrence College of Applied Arts and Technology and worked at various veterinary clinics in both Ontario and Nova Scotia. Danielle was an avid student and practitioner of holistic medicines and was very much connected to her spiritual side, which remained an important passion in her life. Danielle changed her career path and studied to be a child and youth worker at Island Career Academy, which allowed her to work in various roles for the NS provincial government including supervising visitations for child and youth welfare, counselling at-risk youth, and facilitating outdoor adventure programs for youth. Danielle will be missed by her many friends and members of the community whose lives she has positively touched throughout the years.
Danielle enjoyed time spent in nature and took time to pick berries on her walks, watch sunsets, hike in the woods, explore waterfalls, canoe/kayak lakes and rivers, and camp under the stars. When not going for drives with Bill, listening to her country music, another favorite pastime was sitting around her fire pit in the backyard and hosting family gatherings.
At Danielle’s request, there will be no visitation or formal service. Instead, friends and family are asked to spend time in nature and be grateful for the feel of the sun on their face and the wind in their hair. In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Danielle may be made to the Cape Breton Branch SPCA or the Two Rivers Wildlife Park.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of McNEIL Danielle ‘Dani’ Ruth Brauen 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia