Brigitte Crane (nee Primavesi)

June 22, 1928 – June 07, 2023

It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of Brigitte (Primavesi) Crane, just 2 weeks shy of her 95th birthday.  Brigitte, pre-deceased by her husband of 57 years, Colin, is survived by her daughters, Christina (David), Angela (Julie) and Susan (Michael).  She is the very proud grandmother of Gillian, Gemma and family dog, Piper. She is also survived by her twin brother Kajetan, half-siblings (Gotz, Claudia, and Eva) and pre-deceased by her mother (Elisabeth), father (Otto) and brothers (Robert and Thomas).

Born in Vienna Austria, as a young woman she left her home to find opportunity in England, studying and working as a nurse.  There, she met her future husband on a double date and married in 1958.  Shortly thereafter, she and Colin travelled to Montreal, Canada where her mother and brothers had recently immigrated, intending to stay only for a year.  Settling in, they stayed for twenty, during which time they had three children.  In 1979, Colin's employer transferred them to Yokohama.  Brigitte, who was initially resistant to the move, fell in love with Japan.  Returning to Canada in 1983, and settling in Oakville, she had the good fortune to travel extensively, including many return trips to Austria where she reconnected with the family she had left years before.

Brigitte (also known affectionately as "Prim" by her British family) was charming, intelligent, inquisitive, strong-willed, and had a sharp sense of humour.  Having no patience for dawdling around, she moved fast and drove faster, regularly coming home to woefully present her latest speeding ticket.

Brigitte lived in Oakville for nearly forty years, raising her daughters, travelling, gardening, and playing mahjong and bridge.  While her deteriorating eyesight forced an early retirement from card playing, her bridge friendships lasted a lifetime.  She will be missed by all but especially by her beloved granddaughters.  They had the privilege of spending many hours under her care, sharing their stories while she always listened with full attention.  They gave her great joy.

Brigitte's family would like to thank her palliative care team of nurses and PSW's, with special gratitude to Anna (NP), Mylyne, Simone and Nancy, for their outstanding care and making it possible for her to remain in her home as her health declined.

A celebration of life with family and friends is to be organized for a date later in the summer.

Please consider a donation in Brigitte's name to Acclaim Health or the World Wildlife Foundation Canada in lieu of flowers.