Obituary of Mary (née Riley) Brockman

April 23, 1946 – May 23, 2020 Mary passed away at her home on Saturday, May 23rd in North London. Fondly remembered as Mary Elizabeth to her siblings and extended family, Mary was raised in St. Marys, Ontario on Lot 13, Con. 11 of Downie Township. Daughter of Jim and Monica Riley; she is survived by her brother Jim (Judy) Riley, of St. Marys and sister Susan Haves, of London. Also remembered by Ron Haves. She was predeceased by sisters Anne Riley (1948) and Carol McCabe (2015). She grew up on a multi-generational family farm with a close-knit extended family. Those relationships were the fabric of her childhood, and the continued connections and memories were a joy of adulthood. Mary loved to share the stories of the Riley, Bell, Dunn, and Teahen families of R.R. #7 with her own children. Mary’s calling in life was based on the service of helping others in the field of healthcare. Mary attended St. Marys District and Collegiate Institute. She graduated from the St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Kitchener in 1968 and spent almost 40 years working in various fields of nursing. She began her career in the Operating Room and Emergency Department of St. Mary’s Memorial Hospital in St. Marys, and then worked at University Hospital in London. Her fondest work was community nursing, and she found her place in palliative care with the Victorian Order of Nurses. Mary treasured the long-term, more personal connections that she forged with her patients. She finished her career as a Compliance Advisor in long-term care, with the Ministry of Health. Mary was married in 1968 to Joseph Brockman and had four children, living in North London. She is survived by three of her children, Shannon Brockman, of Anchorage, Alaska, Katherine Brockman and Brandon Brockman, both of London, Ontario. She is also remembered by Andrew Elsberg, Larry Jones and Jae Hee Lee. Mary was predeceased and is now reunited with her son Michael (1973) who died shortly after birth, a loss that was heavy on her heart. Her marriage ended in 1979 before divorce and single parenting was commonplace. She is most admired by her children for the loving environment she created with limited resources, while still working full time. She honoured her three children’s different personalities and gave all three license to be themselves. Mary thrived in the early morning hours of each day, where her kids could convince her to take them fishing, give them rides to rowing or running practices, or find a quiet moment sitting with her, listening to the birds singing in the backyard on Estevan Road. Mary was a favourite aunt and godmother to many nieces and nephews. Her playful spirit, and legendary tendency to ‘bend the rules’ with the children in her life leaves the family with an abundance of fun memories. Mary cherished any opportunity to spend time with her five surviving grandchildren: Fred Jones, Riley Jones, Aven Elsberg, Quinzee Elsberg, and Evelyn Brockman. Whether in the London area or on a trip to Alaska, she truly enjoyed sitting in a lawn chair, observing and absorbing her grandkids’ energy, individual interests and personalities. Quilting and playing euchre and bridge were activities that Mary enjoyed with friends and neighbours, providing an opportunity for her to socialize, which she cherished. She loved time at the Pinery with the Riley clan, having a drink with her sisters and brother, watching the younger generations camp and play at the beach. Her kids and grandkids will miss her pot roast and warm coffee cakes, and her love and weakness for jube jubes. In the last few years, she spoke passionately about her volunteer time with St. Joseph’s Hospice and the families that she met there. Her laughter, her smile and her bright blue eyes will be fondly missed. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Mary are asked to consider St. Joseph’s Hospice, London.