Obituary of Sister Arleen Brawley

Sister Arleen Brawley, daughter of the late Frank and Helen (Morgan) Brawley, died peacefully at Ruth Ross Residence in Saint John, NB on Sunday, January 13, 2019. Born in Saint John on February 26, 1942, she graduated from St. Vincent’s High School and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Ottawa. Arleen was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing and became the Assistant Director of Nursing at St. Joseph’s (1970-72). She entered the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception on September 8, 1972 and was Director of Nursing at Holy Family Hospital in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (1974-75) as well as Assistant Executive Director of the Catholic Health Association in Saskatoon (1991-93). In Edmonton, following studies at Newman Theological College, Sr. Arleen served as Registrar at the College for one year. Sister was a member of the Parish team at St. Matthew Parish from 1982-1985, serving in Parish Pastoral Health. She also served as Director| of Initial Formation in Edmonton from 1985-1989. She continued this ministry when she returned to Saint John in St. John the Baptist and Stella Maris Parishes. Arleen was Coordinator of the Sisters of Charity Associates for several years and many came to call her their friend. She was well known and loved for her compassion and dedication to recovery from addiction, especially with women seeking recovery. In 2006, she received her Masters in Addiction Studies from the Hazelden Institute in Minnesota and her International Alcohol and Drug Counsellor Certificate. She was co-founder and Executive Director of Sophia Recovery Centre for Women in Saint John, NB (2008-14). She was also a member of the Sisters of Charity Leadership Team from 2014-2018. Arleen received the Order of New Brunswick in 2015 for her dedication and empowerment in the addiction field. She was well-known in the province and other places where she facilitated workshops and retreats. She was a woman who lived her life with conviction, compassion, faithfulness and humour "one day at a time" and will be dearly missed by the countless people whose lives she touched. She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Helen (Morgan) and her brother, Frank. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (506-634-7424). Visitation will take place at Carmel Chapel - Ruth Ross Residence, 105 Burpee Avenue, Saint John, NB on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm, with Evening Vigil Prayer taking place at 7:00 pm at Carmel Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from Carmel Chapel on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 10:00 am. Interment will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to Sophia Recovery Centre for Women or St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation. Online condolences may be placed at www.BrenansFH.com.