With heartfelt sadness we announce the passing of Nessa Bedward Sherwood (Blossom) on April 15, 2022 at age 87, peacefully with family at her side. Beloved wife of Edwin Sherwood, devoted mother of Marvin (Annik), Dane (Suzanne), Albert (Catherine), and John (Lisa). Cherished grandmother to Maya (Luke), Antoine (Brittany), Justin (Jodi), Mathew (Cristina), Paul (Laura), and Zxandria. A guiding light to her seven great grandchildren Fiona, Zack, Emma, Charlie, Nate, Theo and Camille.
She is predeceased by her parents Estelle and Herbert Brown (Pops), and her siblings Herbert Brown Jr. and Velma Phillips. She will be dearly missed by her siblings Carmen Hajdu (Imire) and Winston Brown (Vera), her many nieces, nephews, cousins and treasured friends. We are blessed and thankful for her time with us and the immeasurable ways in which she impacted the lives of those she touched.
Nessa was born in Kingston, Jamaica and immigrated to Canada with her family in 1954. Her Family established deep roots in the community, and along with other family members co-founded Browns Cleaners, a well established dry cleaning business that was sold to the existing owners in 1978. Brown’s developed a good reputation for dry cleaning and dress making in the city, and also became a meeting place for the Afro-Caribbean community while they were owners.
Nessa had an accomplished nursing career at the Ottawa Hospital over 20 years, followed by private nursing with the Ottawa Community Nursing Registry for 20 years. Sensitivity to the needs of others served her well professionally and personally. She was an excellent listener with a calming influence in difficult situations, giving wise counsel. Her relationships were deep and she was blessed with a wide circle of friends. Nessa had a wonderful sense of humour and a curious and adventurous spirit. Her generosity of spirit was reflected not only in her dealings with family and friends, but also in her contribution to the community.
She had a very creative soul. An accomplished writer of adult and children’s books, a recorded singer/songwriter and an avid gardener.
Nessa served as a volunteer for several charitable and non-profit organizations: The Elizabeth Fry Society, The Diabetes Association of Canada, Planned Parenthood, The YM/YWCA, Grannies for Africa, Funding for the African Caribbean Health Network, and support for the AIDS Community of Ottawa. She was a finalist for the Y-Ottawa Citizen Community Volunteers - Women of Distinction Award in 2009.
We extend heartfelt appreciation to the nurses and doctors at the Queensway Carleton Hospital and the Palliative Team for their compassionate care of Nessa, which allowed her to remain at home, close to the flower garden that gave her such comfort. Special thank you to Dr. Awan, Dr. Swami, Dr. Spacek, Dr. Bright, Dr. Douglas, Dr. Hacker, Holly Avington (Homecare Coordinator at Home and Community Services Champlain).
A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, May 10th at 9:00 am at the Sacred Space at Beechwood Cemetery (280 Beechwood Ave.), the family will receive condolences from 9 a.m. until time of the service. Nessa asked that guest not wear black. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation 737 Parkdale Avenue,1st Floor, Box 610 Ottawa ON K1Y 1J8.
Digital Guestbook
Darlene Clapham
Heni Nadel
I met Nessa when, for many years, we were both volunteers with Planned Parenthood Ottawa. In fact the last time I saw her was a year or so before the pandemic when we both showed up at the PPO annual general meeting. Please accept my condolences. Nessa was a caring, sharing and lovely person. May her memory be a blessing.
Arpad (Ari) Abonyi/Ann Ericsson
Dear Bedward Families:
Please accept our deepest condolences, and pass them on to your loving and unique family. You have so much to look back on. Ms. Bedward-Sherwood was a very instrumental person a principled, caring and very close knit family. This just shows the special person she was. She was always positive and happy when we saw her. You can cherish all this and celebrate her many achievements.
With Deepest Sympathies,
Ari & Ann
ORINTHIA GILGEOURS-MARS
It is my belief that Aunt Blossom life was a true reflection of this unknown poet.
I’d Like to Think by unknown
I’d like to think when life is done
that I had filled a needed post,
that here and there I’d paid my fare
with more than idle talk and boast;
that I had taken gifts divine,
the breath of life and manhood fine
and tried to use them now and then
in service for my fellow man
Jennifer Scotland
Auntie Blossom was a beautiful soul. She was such a loving, caring and funny person. May her soul be in Eternal Rest.
Violet Kelly/Charles Vernon Johnston
Nesa(Blossom) you will be missed.
Samantha McPherson
I am honoured to call this amazing woman my Aunt. Aunty Blossom was and will continue to be a source of Joy, love and inspiration for me and the many, many lives that she touched, we will miss you dearly . Rest in peace our queen
Elizabeth Brown and Joshua Fell
With great sadness, we remember or lovely Aunt Bloss and all her gifts. A genuine and caring Aunt with a heart of gold. Sending our deepest sympathy to Edwin and all our cousins and extended family. We wish we could be there to be with you and send our love over the miles. We are so proud to say she was our Aunt who had the best of human spirit with a positive nature and insightful wisdom. xoxo Elizabeth and Josh
Albert and family. My deepest condolences during this most difficult time. I enjoyed listening to the audio segment and reading/learning about your mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May she rest in peace. Darlene Clapham.