It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Madeleine Cormier-Brzezinski, age 71. She passed away at May Court Hospice in Ottawa on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, after a courageous battle against cancer.
She had the soul of an artist and expressed her talents in many ways. Known in Ottawa as the owner of Chapeaux de Madeleine, she was a hatmaker to the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Governor General of Canada and their entourage, many diplomats, brides and brides’ mothers. Her fedoras graced the heads of gentlemen, ladies and musicians.
She discovered her voice as a jazz singer and recorded with her musical group.
She was predeceased by her husband, Allan Brzezinski, and by her parents, Juliette Aubut and Joseph Cormier. She leaves behind her sisters Michelle (Alain Berthiaume), Suzanne (Jean Trudel), her niece Sophie Trudel (François Vaillancourt), many cousins and friends, as well as Frank Sukhoo, her business partner.
The family would like to express their profound gratitude to the palliative care team who gave her dignity to the end.
A celebration of her life will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025 at Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre), located at 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa. The family will receive condolences from 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the May Court Hospice in Ottawa would be greatly appreciated.
Digital Guestbook
France Picard-Couturier
Rose-Marie et Mario St-Pierre
Sincères condoléances Suzanne et Michelle.
Colette Patenaude
Mes sincères condoléances à toute la famille. Mes pensées vous accompagnent en cette période difficile. xox
Raymond Aubut
Michèle, Suzanne , Alain, Jean et Sophie je suis avec vous dans mes pensées et mes prières. Mes condoléances sincères.
Danielle Chamberland
Belle cousine,je me rappelle de ta bonne humeur de ton beau sourire,tu as toujours eue notre admiration dans notre famille.Nous étions fière de ton parcours.Tu resteras la Tite Madeleine de notre enfance.Toutes mes sympathies à vous deux Michelle et Suzanne.Toutes mes prières vous accompagnent.
Luce Audet et André Trudel
Nous offrons nos sincères condoléances à toute la famille.
Doreen Keogh
My very good friend
Doreen Keogh
Madeleine was such a bright light in my life. She was immensely talented, always surprising me with her creativity and skill. She was fun to be around and I will forever treasure the countless memories we made together from the trips and everyday adventures. Her friendship was a true gift and her spirit right to the end was and inspiration. She will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Chère Madeleine. Dire que nous buvions un verre de vin ensemble L'an passé dans mon gazebo. La vie n'est que de passage mais une chose est certaine c'est que toi, tu en a profité au maximum. L'artiste en toi a crée des choses qui ont réflété la belle âme que tu étais à l'intérieur. Repose en paix ma belle amie mais surtout veille sur ceux qui t'ont tant aimé.