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Obituary of Mrs. Heather Bruce
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HEATHER BRUCE
JUNE 13, 1928 – MARCH 8, 2023
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Heather Bruce passed away peacefully at the age of 94 after a long and well-lived life. She was predeceased by her husband James Bruce (2016), infant son Douglas Bruce (1955), brother Bruce Goodfellow (1982), sisters in law Shirley Goodfellow/Donnelly (2023) and Marian Snider (2002) and brothers in law Vivan Baikie (2011) and Ralph Snider (1980). She was a wonderful mother to Carolyn Magee (Philip), Gerald Bruce (Linda), Allan Bruce, and Nancy Cooper (Steve). She is lovingly remembered by her sister Robin Goodfellow-Baikie. Heather was a proud grandmother to Robert Bruce (Anna), Andy Bruce, Eric Magee, Gregory Magee and Jessica Cooper. She was great grandmother to Elizabeth and Isabella Bruce.
Heather grew up in the Town of Mount Royal, part of a close-knit family within a friendly neighbourhood. After graduating from Montreal High School, she completed a secretarial course at O’Sullivan College. She was hired by the McColl-Frontenac Oil Company (later to become Texaco Canada). There she met Jim Bruce, a recently graduated chemical engineer from Vancouver. Heather and Jim married in 1953. In 1958 they purchased their first house, a new bungalow in St. Lambert, on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River across from Montreal. In 1971 Heather, Jim and their 4 children moved across town to a larger home. They lived in St. Lambert until 1980, when Jim’s career took him to Texaco’s now-relocated head office in Scarborough, Ontario. Heather and Jim purchased a house in Agincourt. They formed a lasting friendship with their new next-door neighbours, John and Edith Chantler. They often got together and could wave to each other from their direct facing kitchen windows! Jim passed in 2016. In 2017 Heather moved into the Shepherd Village complex, which she had long identified as the “only” place she wanted to live when it was time to leave her house. She spoke often about how happy she was there. She loved the food and the many activities available to residents. From Shepherd Village, Heather maintained her involvement with her church and friends until she was no longer able.
Music was an important part of Heather’s life. In the late 1940’s she auditioned for the Montreal West Operatic Society (MWOS), which focused on the production of Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas. Of the 10 individuals who auditioned that day, Heather was delighted to be one of 4 who were invited to join the society. In reflecting back on that time, she commented that she “knew” she would be successful. Many years later, Jim also became involved, helping with backstage production, front of the house and assuming the role as president. Heather and Jim both remained members of MWOS until the 1980 move to Agincourt.
Heather sang in church choirs for most of her life. She was a long-time member of the St. Lambert United Church choir. Two weeks after moving to Agincourt Heather was a member of the Knox United Church Choir. She liked to tell people that she would have been in the Knox choir the first week after arriving, but she had a cold and thought she should wait a week. As the years went by, Heather took pride in becoming one of the longest serving and oldest members of the choir. Although she wasn’t able to continue singing in her final years, there is no doubt she still considered herself a member of the Knox Choir.
Heather took up classical guitar when the newly founded (1974) Preville Fine Arts Centre provided an opportunity to take private lessons and join ensembles. She played in the Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra, which was once featured on a CBC broadcast. In Agincourt, Heather continued to play guitar with new teachers, friends and groups. To fit in with her new friends she decided to expand her sound with a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar.
Heather was proud of her Church involvement. She was a member of St. Lambert United Church for over 20 years. After the family moved to Agincourt in 1980, John and Edith suggested she and Jim consider joining Knox United. They did! And were both actively involved with the church until their respective passings. In addition to singing in the choir, Heather was an elder, a member of the UCW and served on the Worship Committee. She took her work seriously. As an elder she would go out of her way to assist those members to whom she was assigned. Several church members described Heather as “always pleasant,” “full of life” and “able to see the good side of things.”
With Jim’s encouragement, Heather took up golf in her 40’s. She began playing at the St. Lambert Golf Club, a 9-hole public course known affectionately as “The Rockpile.” When Jim was transferred, part of his new job package at Texaco was a subsidy to join a private golf club. He became a member of York Downs Golf and Country Club. Heather joined a few years later. Heather loved this club and served a term as president of the ladies’ division. She and Jim enjoyed many rounds of golf, meals and celebrations at the club. It seems fitting that York Downs closed its doors for good just as Heather was no longer able to continue golfing.
In addition to playing golf, Heather was a marshal at the Canadian Open (held primarily at Glen Abbey) for several years. You could catch glimpses of her on the televised event if you knew where to look (the 16th hole bridge).
Heather was a wonderful stay-at-home mother to her 4 children. As adults, her children came to appreciate the family dinners and lighthearted conversation that was a part of daily life. A big bonus with the Agincourt house was the swimming pool. Heather and Jim’s children and, later, grandchildren loved to visit in the summer and enjoy a dip. This was often followed by a family BBQ, with the adults enjoying a refreshing poolside beverage! Both Heather and Jim loved cooling off in the pool after a round of golf.
Heather was an expert with the devices of her time. For example, she could set up her knitting machine and program the family VCR with ease. We don’t know that Jim ever completely mastered the VCR! But then, he didn’t really need to as Heather was there.
When Jim began to decline in his 80’s, Heather was able to keep him at home and help manage his care. She would drive him to his day program and help him write a few sentences in the daily journal he kept for close to 50 years. Eventually, she took over writing the journal. One evening a week, Heather would arrange for a friend or neighbour to sit with Jim so that she could attend choir practice! It is a testament to Heather that Jim remained at home until only a few months before his passing.
Heather and Jim enjoyed some travelling after Jim retired. Places they visited included China, Greece, Russia, and Norway to name a few. On a more adventurous note, Heather and Jim, then later Heather on her own, visited Heather’s sister Robin in North West River, Labrador. Heather adapted to “going out in the boat to the cabin” plus sang a duet with another soloist in the North West River United Church. Heather and Jim had planned to take an Alaskan cruise but were not able to do so. Heather decided that she and Robin would go on this cruise. This was Heather’s final vacation trip. It was a wonderful opportunity for her and Robin to spend time together, meet interesting people, and enjoy some spectacular sights!
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Knox United Church in Agincourt, ON.
Heather and Jim will both be laid to rest in Montreal in May.
2023
Death notice for the town of: SCARBOROUGH, Province: Ontario
death notice Heather
Bruce 2023
obituaries notice Heather
Bruce 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Heather
Bruce 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
