Maureen Brackley (née Carroll), administrative secretary in York’s Office of the Registrar, died of cancer on Monday, May 22, 2006, at the Humber River Regional Hospital (Finch Site).
Left: An early photograph of Maureen Brackley
Mrs. Brackley was an integral part of the fabric of York University. She began her career in 1967 working for York Personnel Services as a senior clerk. She worked in various departments across campus including the Department of Psychology and the School of Social Work in the Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies, Information Services, Office of the Dean of Atkinson, Office of the Master, Atkinson, and the Department of Music, Faculty of Fine Arts, before settling down in the Office of the Registrar in 1996 where she remained until shortly before her death.
Known for her crazy hats, great sense of humour, love of books and cats, Mrs. Brackley assisted all managers within the Registrar’s Office as well as being a resource to the entire staff.
“She could predict the weather forecast by putting her finger up to the wind and advising her friends that there was another storm brewing,” said her colleague, Sherry Lewkowicz. “She touched the hearts of all who met her and will be sadly missed by all of her friends and colleagues at York University.”
A funeral service will be held for Mrs. Brackley today at the DeMarco Funeral Home at 3725 Keele Street. Visitation will take place from 11am to 12pm with a service from 12 to 12:30pm. The family will be serving coffee and tea immediately following the service.
Mrs. Brackley leaves her two children, Kevin and Karen, along with family, friends and colleagues in Canada and Scotland.
A Maureen Brackley Fund has been set up at the York University Foundation. Proceeds from the fund will be used to benefit students at York University. Anyone who wishes to make a donation can make their cheque payable to the York University Foundation, and in the memo section of the cheque, note that the donation is for the Maureen Brackley Fund.
Tax receipts will be generated for donations of $10 and above. Cash donations are also acceptable. A card will be sent to Mrs. Brackley’s next-of-kin for every donation.