Ginette Bocage-Brown

After a brave battle with cancer, Ginette Bocage-Brown passed away peacefully on September 8th, 2024, surrounded by family and friends.  Ginette was born March 4th, 1944, in Roberval, QC, to parents Bernardin Beaucage and Carmel Roux.  She leaves behind Leighton, her husband of 53 years, her two sons Patrick (Rachel) and Ian (Aimy) and her five beloved grandchildren Jake, Jason, Emmett, Evelyn and Elise.  She was pre-deceased by sisters Rejeanne, Lizette and Louise and survived by siblings Normand (Celine), Michelle (Jacques), Francine (Michel) and Diane (Denis) and 13 nieces and nephews. 

After completing university and teacher training, Ginette began her professional career in Roberval.  In 1965, she accepted the challenge of moving to Peterborough to help develop and implement a new French language training program.  This proved so successful that she was recruited to help implement a similar program for the Canadian Military elementary schools in Germany.  Four years in Germany allowed her to travel extensively throughout Europe and cemented her passion for travel which she would continue to enjoy for the rest of her life.

Upon returning to Ottawa in 1970, she accepted a teaching job on the Rockcliffe airbase at Vincent Massey School.   There, she met Leighton to whom she was married on July 3rd, 1971. They later had two sons, Patrick (1976) and Ian (1979). These two young and active boys caused Ginette to passionately refocus her attention on family matters.

She was committed to volunteering and selflessly giving her time to numerous organizations and community efforts, including Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV), Friendship Force, Elisabeth-Bruyère Health Center and Notre-Dame Cathedral, welcoming and helping new Canadians successfully transition to their new lives in Canada.   Her passion for travel brough her to many memorable places throughout the world where she created lasting friendships.  Of her many travels, highlights included several trips to Germany, Belgium, Holland, Japan, Mexico, Italy and to her favourite destination, the city of Rome.  Her later years found her enjoying her favourite activities of gardening, cottage time enjoying nature and precious moments with her grandchildren.  Ginette cherished and maintained personal relationships with many lifelong friends.  

Visitation will take place on Monday, September 23rd in the Sacred Space at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, from 12:30PM. A Celebration of Life ceremony will begin at 2PM and will be followed by a reception.  

We would like to thank the devoted and caring staff at Maison de L'Est hospice for the exceptional care she received in her final days. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society in memory of Ginette would be appreciated.