Barbara Jean BROUSE (née Taylor)
On February 23, 2005, at
age 73, of a massive heart attack after many months struggling against various
challenges to her health. She fought with all her strength to complete her
life's work, seeking to finish and publish her memoirs of her traumatic
childhood. Born in India, schooled in Ireland and at Bishop Strachan School and
University of Toronto (Victoria College), she was later a copy editor for
Simpson's department store and a creative force in the advertising company she
ran with her husband. In the seventies, she took up a second career as romance
novelist (Harlequin, Silhouette) and, with more than a dozen titles (under the
pen name of Abra Taylor) she supported her family. Her essence was unconditional
love and generosity. She will be profoundly missed by her children Andrew of
Montreal (currently studying in the U.K.), Gillian (Paul Richer) of Ottawa,
Susan (David Warner) of Vancouver, and Terance (Andrea Ball) of Maple. She was a
beloved ''mema'' to Danielle Ball and Stephanie Brouse, to Charlotte and Cléo
Richer and to Kyle Warner. ~