Obituary of Elsa Brush

BRUSH, Elsa Louise (Papke) February 14, 1919 – December 25, 2013 Born on Valentine's Day, passed away unexpectedly on Christmas Day in the arms of her daughter Sandy. Beloved wife of the late Ralph “Tim” Brush (1972). Beloved mother of Sandy Gilchrist, Windsor, Nancy Baumgartner (Dan Faus), Harrow, Mary (Doug) McKeen, Orangeville, Ralph (Cindy) Brush, Harrow, and Gord Brush, Windsor. Cherished Oma of John (Meika) Gilchrist, Scott Gilchrist, Jeff Gilchrist, Erik Baumgartner, Elly (Darren) Takaki, Mark Baumgartner, Meghan (Josh) McGuire, Alison McKeen (Richard Smith), Colin McKeen, Stephen Brush, Erin Brush, Tim Brush and Matthew Brush, as well as the 11 great-grandchildren she adored. Dear sister of Martha Whipple and Hilda Klassen, and the late Margaret Ulch and the late Rudy Papke. Dear sister-in-law of Bernice Papke and Vivian Brush. Will be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews and friends. Elsa's outstanding passion was her love and care for her family, followed by her love of flowers, plants, birds and animals. Her beautiful gardens, her oil paintings and her many prize-winning entries in the Harrow Fair were testaments to her artistic nature, along with her beautiful singing voice. She retired in 1984 after 20 years in the lab at Grace Hospital, and enjoyed her many friendships there. Thanks to her caregivers Janet and Delaina from St. Elizabeth's, and special thanks to daughter Sandy, son Gord and grandsons Scott and Jeff for their outstanding care the past several years. Elsa was born in a German Mennonite village in the Ukraine, and as a child, fled from Russia with her family to escape oppression and war. She was always grateful to her adopted home of Canada for the freedom to worship and build a life. Life-long member of Harrow Mennonite Church, always very dear to her. Resting at Gerald A. Smith Funeral Home 197 King St. W. Harrow. Visiting Sunday December 29, 2013 from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Monday December 30, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Harrow Mennonite Church 3167 Walker Rd. Harrow. Interment at Colchester Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) or Harrow Mennonite Church. You may send your online condolences to www.geraldasmith.ca Sunday December 29, 2013, 2-5 & 7-9 p.m. at Gerald A. Smith Funeral Home Click for Map and Directions Monday December 30, 2013 at Harrow Mennonite Church 3167 Walker Rd. Harrow, ON N0R 1G0 Click for Map and Directions