Obituary of Gloria Jean Brown

Brown, Gloria Jean (nee Masney)

July 26, 1942 – January 16, 2024

With a powerful sense of tenacity and strength that even she didn’t know she possessed, Gloria, aka Nana B, passed away peacefully and most certainly on her own terms, in the early hours of January 16, 2024 surrounded by the love of her family. 

It brings us comfort knowing she is reunited with her parents Nicholas and Martha Masney and her infant sister Nancy.

Gloria's purpose in life can be summed up simply into two categories, her family and her students she taught as a Special Needs Educational Assistant at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School for over 30 years. She loved her students with her whole heart. In addition to her passion for teaching children with special needs, she also was a foster mom to several children with disabilities, ranging from respite care to full time care. Her special boy will always be Ryan, who we know will miss his ‘Ninnie’.

Gloria’s world revolved around her family, often sacrificing her own happiness to ensure we never went without. She was the proud and dedicated mother to Rusty Brown and Marianne Garcia. It is said, God’s greatest gift for surviving your own children is grandchildren, and this couldn’t hold more truth for her. She was more than a Nana, she was our safety, our home. From ensuring she never missed a dance recital or hockey game, to making sure we had an extra $5 to get lunch. She will be terribly missed by Cassandra (Kyle) Holmes, Dylan (Kasandra) DePaiva, Jada Garcia, Nicholas Garcia and Dallas Ambrose. Her greatest joy, by far, was the introduction of great grandchildren, Kyren and Hudson, who will miss giving nana his nose kisses before bed.

She will be remembered by her siblings, Nikki Anne (Frank) Ippolito, Michael (Vivieen) Masney and David Masney, as well as many nieces, nephews, co-workers and friends.

Friends and family are invited to a Viewing being held at Williams Funeral Services, 722 Ridge Rd. N., Ridgeway, on Saturday January 20, 2024 from 2-5 pm. Cremation to follow. A Celebration of Gloria’s Life will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2024 from 1-4 pm at the Columbus Club of Hamilton, 222 Queenston Rd., Hamilton. A private family interment at Bayview Mausoleum and Cemetery at a later time. If desired, donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to L’Arche Hamilton, a foundation dedicated to helping those with intellectual disabilities. Online condolences may be shared at www.williamsfuneralservices.ca