Obituary of Jean Brennan

Not all superheroes wear special clothes and leap from tall buildings. Some are four foot ten and go quietly through life, performing the small miracles that make life special for those in their circle. On December 12, 2022, Jean (Rorison) Brennan, our small but mighty mother, finished her long and eventful life with the calm dignity that were the trademarks of her personality.

Small in stature, Jean had the endurance and strength of a giant. "Tough as a boiled owl" (Mom's expression, not ours) Jean grew up during the Depression years. She honed her parenting skills by helping her mother raise eight younger siblings (which included a set of impish twins). Jean married our dad, Harry, in 1953 and together they raised six sons and a daughter, living first on Irish Mountain and then for many years in Hopewell. Siblings and children alike would tell you that Jean ruled with a firm and loving hand and could settle any dispute with a piercing look. Mom created a welcoming home that revolved around the kitchen table where an extra youngster or two could often be found. In later years, Mom and Dad had many great excursions around Nova Scotia as bird watchers and wildflower enthusiasts. Fellow birders soon learned that Mom knew just as much about wildlife as our dad did. Mom enjoyed the new friendships that came with their hobby; once again she had people to gather at her table, sharing food and stories. Mom's other hobbies were reading (she'd laugh herself silly while reading Stuart McLean stories), growing houseplants (no one could resuscitate a seemingly dead plant like our mom), listening to music and walking. A special source of joy for Mom in these last few years was meeting her four great-grandsons who live locally - they triggered lots of happy memories for her.

Jean is survived by her children, Anthony, Calgary, Alta.; Kevin, Kamloops, Alta.; Shannon (Gayle), Lac du Bonet, Manitoba/ Mesa, Arizona; Danny, Kamloops, B.C.; Tim (Carolyn), Pictou Landing; Susan (Stewart), Hardwood Hill; Calvin (Charlene), Grayling, Michigan; brothers, Peter (Judy) and Wilfred (Marg); sisters-in-law, Wilda Rorison and Loise Brennan; grandchildren, Adam, Riley, Miranda and Harrison; seven great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews; special friend, Jeannie McGee.

She was predeceased by her parents, David and Mary (Lanceleve) Rorison; husband, Harry Brennan; siblings, Mary Catherine, Felix, Bobby, Walter, Lena, Victor and Catherine Mary; daughter-in-law, Mim.

The family will meet visitors from 1:30 p.m. until the funeral service at 2 p.m., Thursday, December 15 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home Chapel, New Glasgow with Rev. Charles McPherson officiating. Internment at the MacLean Cemetery on Elgin Road will take place in the spring of 2023.

Donations in Jean's memory may be made to Nova Scotia Nature Trust or a charity of your choice.

Family flowers only, but if you like cut flowers as much as our mom did, treat yourself or someone else to a nice bouquet and share your own memories of this lovely little lady.

Lovingly submitted by Jean’s family.