Gladys Brown

Gladys Brown passed away peacefully, in the comfort of her home, on Friday June 14, 2024 at the age of 87. She is survived by her son Deane (Veon) and their children: Levi, Matthew (Faith) and their daughter Myla, Sarah (Derek), Joshua; her son Steve (Denise) and their children: Lucas, Logan, Lance and Sydney; and her daughter Judy. She will be sadly missed by her many family members and friends.

Gladys was born on May 14, 1937 to parents Charles and Victoria Seville in Lemon Hall, Jamaica. She started her career as a teacher in Jamaica. Eventually, Gladys' love of helping others took her to England to study nursing. It was there that she met Edgar Brown, and they married in the fall of 1964. Gladys and Edgar immigrated to Canada in 1965 and started a family shortly after settling in Toronto, Ontario. In Toronto, Gladys’ career in nursing took off as she worked at St. Joseph's Hospital (currently St. Joseph's Heath Centre ) and the Queen Street Mental Hospital (Currently, CAMH). Gladys and Edgar divorced in 1978 and she raised their three children on her own. 

Gladys worked hard to provide for her family, and nothing made her happier than having her family around. Family gatherings were always a hit with her world-famous fruit punch. Every birthday was celebrated with a cake made from scratch, and her children’s friends always looked forward to her homemade lasagna. 

While visiting England in the late 90’s, Gladys became reacquainted with a childhood friend Clarence Prince. They married on March 1, 1999. Sadly, in July 2017 Clarence passed away.

Gladys was very involved with her church, West Toronto Church of God, formerly Halton Street Church of God. She led Sunday school, sang in the church choir, and was the editor of the church magazine. In later years, she kept her hands busy crafting bookmarks to promote evangelism. 

Gladys was diagnosed with breast cancer and fought the disease for many years. Her faith in God helped her through her treatments. She went into remission and was cancer free until 2022. Gladys endured further treatments but eventually succumbed to her illness.

She will be forever loved by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, family, friends, and all who knew her.