REVEREND ELIZABETH JEAN BRUCE

1927 - 2022

BORN

1927

DIED

2022

ELIZABETH BRUCE Obituary

Name: Memorial service for REVEREND ELIZABETH JEAN BRUCE
Start: 2022-09-17T18:00:00.000Z
Location: Eglinton St. George's United Church

BRUCE, ELIZABETH REVEREND JEAN (nee EVANS) November 16, 1927 – July 13, 2022 Elizabeth Jean (Evans) Bruce was born in Toronto to Myrtle A. (Ferguson) Evans of Schomberg and G. Frederick Evans of Bradford. She was the eldest of four children and was predeceased by her brother, Douglas; and survived by William (Kitchener, ON) and Barbara (Ringwood, NJ). As a girl and young woman, she faithfully attended St. George's United Church on Lytton Avenue. Jean was devoted to the new United Church of Canada, which sought to overcome religious differences. She was always interested in the faiths of other people around the world. After completing a B.A. in psychology at the University of Toronto, she moved to Kingston to work with the YWCA in programs for women and children. Her love for and training in music was an essential part of her connection with others. She met Louis Douglas Bruce and they particularly enjoyed listening to classical music and dancing to jazz; in 1953, they married. As they moved with Doug's CIL postings to Cornwall, Edmonton and Brampton, she bore four sons, David, Michael, Steven and Peter. Through Mike and his partner, Liz Amos, she has two beloved grandchildren, Jack and Elana. After Doug's death in 1976, she worked at a variety of jobs, and with the sponsorship of Grace Church in Brampton, began to study theology. She was ordained as a United Church minister in 1984 and her first posting was to Fairlawn United Church, a few blocks away from her first childhood home. Eventually, she realized her truest calling in the more personal, one-on-one work of prison chaplaincy at the Metro-West Detention Centre, with outreach to many other prisons; particularly, the provincial prisons for women in Kitchener and Milton. Her work for restorative justice and societal reintegration of offenders continued beyond retirement for the duration of her life. Jean had many friends from all walks of life who treasured her good humour, modest humility, thoughtfulness, generosity, great integrity, courage, strong sense of justice and great grace in living her life in a way that always encouraged others. A Memorial Service and Celebration of her Life will be held at Eglinton St. George's United Church, 35 Lytton Blvd. (at Duplex Ave.), Toronto, on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. This will be live-streamed through the esgunited.org website. There will have been a private family interment of her ashes. In her preference to flowers, donations may be made to any one of Circles of Support and Accountability, Friends of Dismas, Church Council On Justice and Corrections, the Mission and Service Fund of ESG United Church or to UNICEF. Many thanks to the dedicated staff at Sunnybrook Hospital who cared for Mom through her last weeks. More about Jean may be seen at: myfarewelling.com/memorial/jean-bruce

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Published by Toronto Star on Aug. 6, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for ELIZABETH BRUCE

6 Entries

Leatrice Chan

August 18, 2022

I met Rev. Jean in the restorative justice community when I was studying clinical counseling at Tyndale Seminary. She made such a positive impression on me at a volunteer training session she spoke at that I can say she influenced my decision to join that wonderful community. Later, during my years with Circles of Support & Accountability, I was to meet her often. It was a privilege to learn from her as I felt I did at every encounter. A truly gracious and loving woman. I pray that knowing what a contribution she made to the lives of so many will comfort you, her family, in this time of mourning.

Eric Jaffary

August 9, 2022

Wishing our deepest sympathies to The Bruce boys and to Bill and Barb. We will see you on the 17th.

Eric Jaffary

August 9, 2022

I am so sorry to hear of Jean´s passing. She was a big part of the wonderful Evans family and next door neighbours for over 50 years at Lake of Bays. Jean taught my sister Nora and I how to literally jump in the lake. Giant steps for 6 year olds who wanted to swim with the big kids. She was also the minister at both of our weddings and a very close friend of my mother Ann. We will miss Jean a great deal and pass on our deepest sympathies to David, Mike, Stephen and Peter. We also wish to be remembered to Bill and Barb and hope you are able to find comfort in the memories of your older sister. She was a such a kind and thoughtful person and will be missed greatly.

Nora Jaffary

August 8, 2022

Jean was a very important figure to our entire family. She presided over two weddings and a funeral for us but more importantly, offered decades of of love, humour, and non-judgmental wisdom to many of us. Our deep sympathies to the Bruce, Evans, and Dimas families.

Judith Gava

August 7, 2022

My condolences to you all. Jean was my neighbour at 1 Cheritan over 20 years ago, when, true to her kind nature, she not only invited me to stay with her between moves, but also hosted a going away gathering for me!

Rev. Carol Ferguson

August 6, 2022

Rev. Jean was a very kind, patient and wise mentor to me when I did an internship under her guidance at Metro West Detention Centre. Blessings and love to this lovely lady and her family.

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results

Memorial Events
for ELIZABETH BRUCE

Sep

Memorial service

2:00 p.m.

Eglinton St. George's United Church

35 Lytton Blvd. (at Duplex Ave.), Toronto, ON