OSBORNE, Gloria Delores Osborne ("G", "GG", "Glo"), Died with family at her side, on September 12, 2021, at the age of 83.
Beloved mother of Wayne, grandmother of Vanessa, Wayne Jr., Jeremy, Julian and Sean, and great-grandmother of 7, Gloria was a kind and loving soul who lead a truly extraordinary life.
Born October 10, 1937 in St. Lucia and moving as an infant to Barbados, she became a proud calypso loving Bajan. Her nursing career began in England and later flourished here in Toronto.
Nursing was her passion and she devoted her life to helping people achieve their best quality of life possible.
In 1985, mum founded a successful nursing agency of professional caregivers. Her proudest career accomplishment, was the achievement of national accreditation granted to Exclusive Care Services by Accreditation Canada.
Retiring after 40-plus years working at the "best hospital in Canada", Toronto General Hospital, Mum remained active, contributing to government committees, providing consultations in the private sector and of course the governance of her business.
One child only. I was her life, if you met her, you knew that.
Strangers in the elevator, cashiers at Tim Hortons, clerks in the produce section or the security guards in her building somehow knew all about me and were eager to tell me what a wonderful person she is.
The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to mum. She loved to cook and entertain. She would define her culinary skills "as a pinch of this and a dash of that", all the while unleashing those delicious tantalizing aromas that promised a sensory feast yet to come.
She loved animals.
"Anyone who would deliberately harm an animal should do time, period.", still rings out so clearly. Mum's pleasant personality was truly contagious to everyone she met. A very charitable, and compassionate woman with a wonderful sense of humour. She had an uncanny ability to understand and extend soothing comfort to those in the midst of turmoil. With so many friends, its clear she touched many lives.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, for one hour in mum's company meant a lifelong friend.
In her honour and in lieu of flowers, please make a charitable donation to a charity of your choice.
A celebration of life to follow.
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