eulogy

good-bye Inge


Eulogy
My Friend, I first met you, you were 12 and I was 10. That was in Admont in Austria with Frau Seidel. I was told how smart you are, and what a wonderful young lady. We just looked at each other, we were shy and skinny.

The second time we met it was in Canada. We both were married had children, you lived in Camp Borden, I lived in Toronto. Frau Seidel got us together again. What a reunion. You invited us, we met our Families, and you cooked Dinner. Everything went well, until you found out my Herbert was a Chef. Just the thought, you nearly lost it. But we had an excellent Dinner.

We had good years together, Des started to go back to school, and look what he achieved. The Cottage years started in Muskoka on Pine Lake. The Friendship between the children, the amount of swimming, the visitors from England and Germany, it was an open house. It was good for all of us, since none of us had relatives living here in Canada.

Then came the big move to Edmonton. It was good for you, the right thing to do. From “slinging Hash “to Administration in The University and Des as well.
I missed you very much, but we all moved on. Thank you for your Friendship, I just wish you would not have suffered that much.

Love Barbara
 
contributions from other fans
 

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.

Stephanie Boulton, Granddaughter


 

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!

Nephew Andreas, Conny, Alina and Lea


 

Inge and I meet in Austria, Inge was 12, I was 10. That was the first time we saw each other. A lot of moving around, when I got the phone call from Camp Borden. We are in Canada now too. It was wonderful to have Des and Inge so close. And then we had a cottage on Pine Lake, next thing they got a cottage as well. Fun, children had a good time so did we. Playing cards, listening to stories, and swimming, a lot of it. Sad, they moved to Edmonton, but we stayed in touch. One absolute fantastic week we spend in New York. Inge came with a Friend from Edmonton; I came with a Friend from Toronto and my Sister came from Vienna. So of course, it was to the Opera and Theaters. What a trip.

I will never forget you and Des; you were my Friends.

Love Barbara and Family, Friends


 

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.

Eva-Marie Kroller, Former colleague


 

I remember playing board games and cards with my mom because she had so much fun with it, every time. I will always remember the Inge who sat cross from me in Mensch Arger Dich Nich, leaning in, smile a mile wide, shaking the dice like maracas, plotting her victories. She played no-holds-barred triominos, hearts, kanasta and 500. She could play many games in a row and she liked to win, which she often did. She was pure spunk and it was easy to get caught in her enthusiasm and also to trounce her every once in a long while

Dear Inge, I am so pleased you finally have peace

Karin Brown, Daughter


 

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.

Brian and Pamela Boulton, Son-in-law and step daughter


 

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 Lammermoor,” 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.

Rita Donovan, Former colleague


 

Farewell Inge.  It was always a pleasure to spend time with you and Des in our many and various residences at home and abroad, over 60 years, and to have had enjoyable longer holidays together with Rosalie, in Cyprus, after we had all retired.-  I never fail to smile when I pass the villa at Riverside you occupied after it had been upgraded in a comfortable, but very fanciful style, which you described as "early bordello" causing much hilarity. I am glad too that you were with us when R and I bought our land, and later that day watched the sun go down as we showed you our hillside orchard plot with stunning views of both sea and the mountain range. Our sitting room view now.

Inge was everything Karin describes in her email, but really so much more!  She was a brave lady who suffered much longer than just the last five years. Success had come at a cost, and she paid it, becoming a counsellor as a result at the hospital cancer unit.

60 years of happy memories, lively conversations about anything and everything, and much hilarity at times, gone, as Karin said, with a sigh. I will miss Inge, as I still miss Des, my brother.

My thanks to Julie Hushagen and Kirsten who made speaking with Inge possible, when Inge was no longer able to initiate calls herself, and in so doing, made her life richer.

Charmaine Brown, Sister-in-law


 

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.

Julie Gorbahn , Friend


 

I feel fortunate to have met Karin and through her, Inge and Des. The three of them added a great deal to my life and I have many happy memories because of them.

Kathy Chiles, Friend


Barbara
 

 

oh so Inge
witticisms and aphorisms of Inge's beloved Jane Austen

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