Obituary of Patricia (Pat) Margaret GOUGH-BRAUSSE

August 3, 1941 - Edmonton, Alberta
May 5, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Patricia Margaret Gough-Brausse (nee James) of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at the age of 79. Pat is survived by her children, Brent (Kristine) and Jennifer (Brad); her three grandchildren, Sara, Erin, and Kira; as well as her much loved fur-grandbabies, Stella and Lucy.

Pat was born on August 3, 1941 in Edmonton, AB, to Patrick Scanlon James and Iris May Williams and was raised near Jasper Avenue. She inherited a strong sense of cultural identity from her immigrant parents of Welsh descent. Through a passion for dance at a very young age, she formed a lifelong bond with her best friend June.  Upon graduating High School, Patricia married Gary Gough and eventually settled in what was then the northern outskirts of Edmonton, surrounded by a close-knit network of friends and family as neighbors. The family relocated to Calgary in the early 1980s, where she made new friends easily. Patricia’s second marriage to Albert Brausse in the 1990s took her out of the city to experience rural farm-living near Mossleigh, AB. After Albert’s passing, Pat returned to the familiar neighborhood of Palliser in Southwest Calgary. Patricia then downsized to a condo complex in Evergreen where she formed lasting friendships with neighbors.

Pat loved to laugh. She enjoyed the company of family and friends, going for coffee or a meal, taking in a movie, and a good round of cards.  She also enjoyed the musical stylings of Tom Jones and was a fervent Elvis fan. A voracious reader of historical fiction, Pat always had a book on the go. Beyond her own immediate family, she had a larger circle of “inherited” children and grandchildren, the friends of her own children, and the children of her friends and co-workers.  She also valued her relationship with the extended families of her son and daughter. Pat loved to travel, and she accompanied family or friends on many overseas adventures and cruises. She made a perfect travel companion as someone who was highly sociable, laughed easily, seldom complained, and was always respectful of others’ cultures and customs. The optimism and the strength that carried her through life were traits admired by all that knew her. She was always willing to take on a challenge, join a cause, or help a friend.

After several years of battling cancer, during which time Pat continued to live an independent and fulfilled life, she entered Hospice on November 30, 2020. The family are ever grateful for the excellent care Pat received from the Tom Baker Cancer Center, the Foothills Hospital, and the truly exceptional professionals at Hospice. In her final months, Pat was given the support and kindness that crowns a life characterized by the same selfless compassion that she showed to others. The family is appreciative of all the thoughts, prayers, and expressions of love that were sent by friends and family to mom while in Hospice.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Please share and view condolences, memories and photos, on this page.

In the form of flowers, food, cards, text-messages, and photos in lieu of physical visits, at a time when we were asked to remain physically distanced; your gestures were gratefully received by Pat. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Rosedale Hospice #1245 – 70 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2X8 Telephone: (403) 284 –5195.   https://www.hospicecalgary.ca/donate

In living memory of Patricia Gough-Brausse, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.