Beverley Jane (B.J.) Brown

Beverley Jane Brown passed away peacefully in hospital on February 24, 2026.

B.J., or “Beautiful Jewel,” as she would say with a mischievous grin when asked about her initials, leaves behind Craig, her husband of nearly 60 years, her daughter Sarah, her brother Rob (Colleen), her Lac Bernard family, her “Arnprior girls,” and many other beloved friends and family.

Born in Halifax to Dr. Herb Giberson and Flora (MacDonald), she grew up in Arnprior and returned to the Maritimes to attend Mount Allison University. At Mount A she met Craig—in the smoking room, a story she often told with a twinkle in her eye.

B.J. completed her 30-year career in the federal public service in 1998. Serving as executive assistant to several senior ministers, she was widely respected for her judgment, discretion, and steady guidance. Known affectionately as “Mother Brown,” she was the colleague others turned to for perspective and wise, non-judgmental counsel.

Life together was an adventure for B.J. and Craig. They raised Sarah, owned many well-loved dogs, travelled to more than 40 countries, lived a year abroad in Australia, built their family cottage at Lac Bernard, and wintered for many years in Siesta Key—B.J. liked to say she was born too far from the sun.

The cottage at Lac Bernard became their sanctuary. B.J. poured her heart into that place—from stripping logs to coaxing her gardens to life. A proud treehugger long before it was fashionable, she practised organic gardening and reminded her family that nature rarely needed rearranging.

Relaxing days at the cottage included barbecued meals on the deck, the familiar rattle of Boggle cubes, paddling her canoe with Craig and a dog wedged between them, and late-summer swims in the lake. Evenings brought slow boat cruises and long dinners with friends and family, accompanied by fine wine, good music, and spirited games of cards.

Music was a constant. She played her piano and guitars with enthusiasm, and was known to lead singalongs wherever she went. She loved to dance, often the first and last on the floor (whether or not Craig stayed the course).

B.J. noticed everything—a shift in tone, a look on a face. She could sense what was wrong before a word was spoken and had a way of making people feel seen and valued. As anyone who ever made a grammatical or fashion misstep around B.J. soon found out, she was refreshingly honest and direct, guided by a clear sense of right and wrong.

For Sarah, that conviction was a gift. Her mom was both a fierce champion and a soft place to land. B.J. modelled integrity, compassion, and courage to stand up for what is right—values that shaped the woman Sarah became.

We will forever miss her warm, welcoming smile, her wry humour, and most of all her unwavering love.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations in B.J.’s memory may be made to the Humane Society, WaterAid, or an environmental charity of your choice.