Donald Walter (PhD) Hepburn

November 29, 1930 – December 15, 2018

Don Hepburn passed away peacefully at home on December 15, 2018 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

He was pre-deceased by his sister Joyce, his sister Jean Brown, his daughter Cathy McPhail and son Robert.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joan and sons Gordon (Elsie) of Granville Ferry, Nova Scotia, Bruce (Edith) of Lethbridge, and Neil of Edmonton, together with numerous nieces and nephews.

A life-long educator, Don taught school in Edmonton, and in Ft. Simpson and Inuvik, N.W.T. before returning south. As Supervisor for Special Education for Alberta Education, Don’s work pioneered many of the supports now available to Alberta children with special educational needs. He also taught special education at the Red Deer College and the University of Alberta.

Upon his retirement, Don became an active volunteer for the Central Alberta Historical Society. Don was highly motivated by social justice issues and put his energies into Friends of Medicare, the Council of Canadians, numerous church committees and activities. Most notably, he was involved in reconciliation efforts fostered by Sunnybrook United Church and helped found the Remembering the Children Society. In 2003, the Red Deer Rotary Clubs named Don as Citizen the Year. In 2018, Don received an honorary Doctorate of Sacred Letters from St. Stephen’s College for his work with the Remembering the Children Society. Don Hepburn was a quiet, scholarly, gentle man who accomplished much. We will miss him greatly.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

A celebration of life is planned for some time in the new year.

Mom (Jean Brown) - Obituary

D. Jean BROWN (nee Hepburn)

BROWN, D. Jean (nee Hepburn) Passed away peacefully with her loving husband by her side, on December 6, 2016 at Ian Anderson House, in her 90th year. Jean, beloved wife of Ron Brown for 61 wonderful years. Dear mother of Doug (Carolyn), Gerry (Deb), Arlene (John), Glen (Brenda) and David (Diane). Cherished nana of Trevor, Steven, Sarah, Lindsay, Amy, Nathan, Olivia, Kevin, Matthew, Ian, Chris, Jason, Elinor and Zoe. Loving sister of Don (Joan) Hepburn of Red Deer, Alberta. Predeceased by her elder sister Joyce. Jean was an active member of St. Paul's United Church for 47 years. She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by family, friends and all who knew her. A memorial service to celebrate Jean's life will be held on Monday, December 12, 2016 at St. Paul's United Church, 454 Rebecca Street, Oakville at 11 a.m. In Jean's memory donations may be made to St. Paul's United Church Memorial Fund or Ian Anderson House, Oakville. You may sign our guestbook at www.koprivataylor.com.

Category: Obituaries & Death Notices

Newspaper(s): Oakville Beaver

Location: Oakville

Guestbook for D. Jean Brown (nee Hepburn)

( November 18, 1927 - December 06, 2016 )

Jim voth July 29, 2017

Ron Just heard about Jean's passing. Our deepest sympathies to you. I know how you treasured her, and set an example for many with your devotion to her.

Janice McKeown (nee Sweeting) December 22, 2016

Sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.

Karen Waite December 14, 2016

Dear Arlene and family, Very sorry to hear about your mother's passing. She was a fine woman, she was very kind to me during our high school years together and I know she will be missed. Thinking about you, Karen (Schwartzendruber) Waite

Mary-Ann and Jim Berridge December 13, 2016

All our love and thoughts for the Brown family. Jean was such a wonderful person.

Jan Russel December 10, 2016

Ron, I want to express my deepest sympathy to you and your family on your loss. I know that there is little I can say to console you but please know that my thoughts are with you and your family. I will carry with me the fond thoughts I have of visiting Jean at your home. She was always a gracious and kind host. Warm Regards, Jan Russel

Nancy Wickett December 09, 2016

Dear Ron and family, Jean will be missed by so many people. She made friends easily and was often ready to set-up a games table. Love, Nancy

Carol & Mark Fulton December 09, 2016

Dear Arlene Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beloved Mom. She is at peace now in the arms of the Angels. God Bless you and your family. Love, Carol & Mark Fulton

Rev. Charlie Hogg & Rev. Heather Gilmour December 08, 2016

Dear Ron. It seems like only yesterday I chatted, for so brief a time, with you and your lovely partner in life Jean. It was when you recognized me in the foyer of the new O.T.M.H. I had no idea at that time how very sick Jean was. I came home with an excitement at having renewed our relationship!!! Jean and you were major figures in shaping my journey towards ordination whilst I was the assistant at St. Paul's. We will always cherish the memory of our time with you and Jean as Heather still makes Jean's 7up jellied salad when we have guests for dinner; each and every time they leave with the recipe.. You see, Ron, Jean is still very active in memory and her gifts will go on beyond anything that we could ever imagine. You have been married to a one of a kind woman who carved her own pathway into the hearts of all who knew her. With our profound love to you and all of your family. Heather and Charlie

Bell Technical Solutions London December 08, 2016

To Arlene and family, Deepest condolences for your loss. We are all thinking about you. BTS London

Betty Henderson and the KIDS December 08, 2016

Ron and family you all are in our prayers and thoughts Jean was a beautiful lady and will be missed by many We have very fond memories of Jean especially Betty-Ann and I when we visited your home in September 2010 You all have an angel watching over u now and u will call her MOM God Bless everyone

Anna December 08, 2016

Arlene, Dad & Family. I am sincerely sorry for the loss of your Mother/Wife, Sending you all Prayers of Comfort with all my Heart, Anna

Rev. Bill Sparling December 07, 2016

Hello Ron: What a huge loss it is for you to lose such a great partner for so many years. The two of you have been terrific as a team and wherever you have gone, have been a power couple, offering fun and leadership in your gracious manner. Our support and prayers go out to you and to your family. Jean was great! Sorry to miss Jean's service Monday, as I will be with Jane's appointment with her Chemo Physician at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto. Our very best to you.

Jane and Bill Sparling December 07, 2016

Hello Ron: What a huge loss it is for you to lose such a great partner for so many years. The two of you have been terrific as a team and wherever you have gone, have been a power couple, offering fun and leadership in your gracious manner. Our support and prayers go out to you and to your family. Jean was great! Sorry to miss Jean's service Monday, as I will be with Jane's appointment with her Chemo Physician at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto. Our very best to you.

Barb Clancy December 07, 2016

Dear Arlene, John, Trevor and Lindsay, So sorry to hear of your Mom and Grandma passing away. I had the pleasure of meeting her several times and I remember her as a wonderful, kind and cheerful person. I know she will be missed. My thoughts are with you. Barb

Deb Brown December 07, 2016

So many beautiful memories, with a caring, beautiful lady. You are loved.

Stephen Arcand December 07, 2016

The Arcand family will always have wonderful memories of Jean and our involvement at St. Paul's.

Harry & Claujine Garifallidis December 07, 2016

Our most heartfelt condolences to our good friend Ron and family. We consider ourselves blessed to have been among those effected by her inspiring, caring, nurturing and loving nature. Jean's departure to be with the Lord creates a void in the world of those she leaves behind. She will be greatly missed...

Ches and Marg Hornibrook December 07, 2016

Our sympathy to Ron and family. Jean will be greatly missed in the congregation and by her family.

Another Beautiful Obituary

With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of NAME in the early hours of _____ at ____ hospital, after a short illness at (hospital).

Re-united with the love of his life from age ___, (name) who predeceased him in ___. They shared many wonderful years together enjoying the company of their family and many friends. ____ and ____ especially enjoyed their yearly trip to ____. He was very happy to return to ____ in the last couple of years with his daughter (name) and her family to rekindle those fond memories.

Beloved father of (name) and (name), and (name). Proud grandfather of (name). Cherished great-grandfather of (name). Loving brother of (names). He will be sadly missed by his many nieces and nephews.

NAME was a loyal, longtime employee of ___ for ___ years. He was highly regarded by his colleagues and those who worked with him. NAME was especially proud of the contributions that he made to help advance the ____ process, including receiving the *** award in (year) from the (association). He retired in (year) as (position) in (department). NAME was an avid golfer and was a member of (golf club) for almost 50 years. He enjoyed many annual trips with his son (name) to (place) to golf and then to the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia to see the best players in the world play a game that he was never quite able to master but continued to try to improve on until his late 80's.

NAME was a very wise but humble man who always thought of others before himself. His positive outlook on life served him well until the very end. His wonderful legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

When I come to the end of the road, and the sun is set for me,

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room, why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not too much and not with your head held low.

Remember the joy and laughter we shared, and lovingly let me go.

A Beautiful Obituary

Surround and celebrated by her family as she took her last proud breath to Vera Lynn's I'll Be Seeing You, -- (nee --) left us on [date] at [location] in [town].

A force of life, love of family and laughter, -- was in her -- year, living the final -- happily in her home of -- years with her adoring husband of -- years

She will always be held proudly and preciously in the hearts of her -- sons and daughter and their families; .... [names]

-- was a writer, a painter, a dancer and carried memories of her beloved town of -- and her favourite -- with her every day.

She came to -- during the incredible decade of --, was working at -- when -- happened. She loved dancing with the airmen. It was at one of those that she me her husband, --. The excitement and pride that permeated -- during the decades of -- never left her, leading her family to believe that her first stop would be with -- at a dance at the Royal connaught.

Our mother was fun and loved to entertain and revelled in making everyone laugh. She was singing, teasing and flirting with her doctor, the great staff at Victoria House, to the moment when she began her final journey Tuesday afternoon.

The family hopes Dr. --, the staff of -- Hospital, the staff of -- her faithful friends and particularly the staff of --for ensuring she could stay in her home, with her cat Maggie, all these years, realize how truly grateful and honoured the family is that they all played such an essential role in our mother's life.

In lieu of flowers, our mother asked only that anyone reading this and remember her do something special today to show your family how much you love them.

And, go to a Ticat game in 2017.

Houstons

Bob, Mary-Ann, Sandy, Neil

Some of my Brown Cousins in BC

This was posted on Facebook a few days ago, Christmas 2017.

Left to right: Janice (Montforton), Karen, Bill, Kirk, Bob, Kim (Guthrie)

Here's an older photo to compare!

Back row: ? (uncle Mac's sister?), Grampa Brown, Aunt Lorraine, Dad (Ron), Gramma Brown, Janice, Bill, Keith, Auntie Dot, Bob Houston, Uncle Bob.
Middle Row: Gramma Houston, Arlene, Doug, Mom (Jean), Gerry, Karen.
Front row (kneeling): Glen, David (Wil), Kim