Inge Brown
A toast to Inge
Good bye
Most of you know, but some still may not, that Inge sighed deeply and left this world on May 8, 2020. She was 84. She was married to Des from 1962 to 2018.
You may remember her sashaying down the echoing halls of the English department in a smart suit, her 3” Amalfis tapping on the shiny stone, nails perfectly polished in oxblood red - like she owned place - and Des was fond of saying that she did, or ran it, anyway. You might recall her long legs crossed elegantly to the left, her never-out-of-place hair, deep, thoughtful grey eyes and lovely smile, maybe also the cheeky one.
You may remember her raising a glass of chilled German white at her dinner table, or yours, over many a fine repast, toasting the company of friends and family and the precious times of all our lives… Graduations, birthdays, weddings, Christmases and new jobs… Beating cancer, traveling home to Germany and to great adventures around the globe, welcoming cherished friends from long ago and far away as well as beloved colleagues and neighbours.
Possibly by late summer the faculty club will have permission for people to gather and celebrate Inge’s life in the style befitting her, but until then please raise a glass...
… to a life well lived with all those adventures, travels, achievements, celebrations and all the days of laughter and hardship, loss and victory, as well as cake and whipped cream... Sahne bitte
But let us also recognize her herculean effort and the bravery it took to endure the pain and tragedies of the last five years of her existence. And let us be grateful that she was afforded a measure of grace... unexpected pleasures in her last year visited upon her by Deutsch companion Kirsten. And you can clink glasses knowing too that now Inge is safe. She is finally free.
Please, let us toast Inge together, apart, where-ever you are on May 29, 2020 at 8pm. And if you are so inclined, add your toasts, reminiscences and comments to Inge's virtual toast at https://www.trinityfuneralhome.ca/inge-brown
Also, please pass this invitation to anyone you know who was fond of Inge.
In lieu of donations please lobby your local politician (or Inge's: MLA Lori Sigurdson) for better treatment of the valuable humans who have no choice but to live in nursing homes, longterm care facilities, and the like.
We have many fond memories of Inge and enjoyed our frequent visits over the last 40+ years.
Our condolences to all the rest of Inge’s family and her many friends.
I have many cherished memories of both Inge and Des especially the time I lived with you during my nursing training. Inge, you were there for me and my children. A couple of months ago, I enjoyed hearing you sing with music from our phone. Love, Luke and Julie. We would be pleased to hear of a memorial.
Inge was, like Des, something special for me and my family. The mutual visits were very exciting, warm and inspiring. Inge’s many stories about her life captivated us very much. I learned more about my family from her than through anyone else. Especially the long evenings with candlelight and good wine (or beer) and conversations about past and future will always stay in our memories. Alina and Lea hung on her lips as if tied up – just like me.
Fortunately the long and hard years have now come to a gracious end. We will always remember Inge and Des as a part of the family.
we miss you, Inge!
Granny, I have so many fond memories of playing cards with you, watching Jane Austen together and the bright colored clothing you gifted us. I loved the stories you told, the jokes you made and your German accent is forever etched in my memory.
I will miss you dearly, and I cherish those happy memories.
My sincere condolences on the passing of your dear Inge. I knew Inge Brown as “Mrs. Brown.” She presided over the front desk in the University of Alberta’s Department of Comparative Literature between 1973 when I arrived in Canada and 1978 when I left Edmonton to take up a position at the University of British Columbia. I remember her as charming, precise, circumspect, and outspoken – all qualities that were important to a newcomer who, in this case, came from Germany as she did. When things got too hectic in the department, her husband Des made a habit of greeting her with a Tom Collins at the door when she got home, she said. I still use some expressions that I trace back to her, and I will remember her fondly and often.
I have just learned of this sad news. Inge, “Mrs. Brown,” was my boss when I took a year off from graduate school to do secretarial work for the Dept. of Comparative Literature at the U of A. The consummate professional, she nonetheless had time, in between a hundred duties, to sit with the staff and have a quick coffee. She drank instant coffee at that time, back to back, like a chain smoker. I made many of those coffees and it is thanks to her that I developed and maintain a coffee habit. She spoke well of everyone, had wonderful stories to tell, introduced me to her beloved opera, “Lucia di Lammermmor,” and brightened many an ordinary day. It was clear, always, that she was devoted to her family, and I am sure she is deeply missed. Tschuss, Frau Brown. Bis morgen.
Inge Brown, Mrs. Brown, was indeed a formidable woman! Very sad news. We cannot help remembering her daughter’s demise, and her grandchild’s fate. Tschuss, Frau Brown.