Greta Elizabeth Brady

September 7, 1942 - July 27, 2017

Brady, Greta Elizabeth (Mills) passed away peacefully at age 74 in Carpenter Hospice in Burlington, Ontario, on July 27th, 2017. Born on her family's dairy farm in Drum, Ireland, Greta left home at 17 to train as a nurse in Belfast. While working as a midwife and flight nurse in Glasgow, she fell in love with Desmond, and followed him to Canada to become his wife. They moved back to Scotland but later returned to Burlington, where they raised their daughters Shirley, Diane, and Elise. In her three decades as a nurse at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, Greta was known for her compassion, kindness, wit, and belief in treating everyone with dignity. Patients would often say that Greta made them feel safe. After retiring from Joseph Brant, she spent another five years nursing at Notre Dame Convent in Waterdown. As a mother, Greta was a model of unconditional love and support. All she ever asked of her daughters was that they be curious, independent, and true to themselves. She adored her grandchildren—Elliott, Natalie, Connor, Isabel, Ruby, and Alex—and loved her sons-in-law Andrew, Barry, and Michael. Her sisters, Ruby McCaw and Harriet Johnston, were her best friends. Her beloved brother Herbie died in 2000. Greta was always up and doing, whether it was decorating, gardening, volunteering, learning sign language, or traveling. Her zest for life didn’t stop three years ago when she was diagnosed with cancer. We will always be grateful for the support from CCAC, the JBMH Cancer Clinic, Carpenter Hospice, Dr. Lori Chalklin, dear friends, and family. Greta didn’t want a funeral and instead asked that her ashes be scattered in places that were dear to her. She loved New York City, where her daughters live, especially walking through Central Park. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome contributions to adopt a memorial bench in her honor. centralparknyc.org/Brady