Charlotte Anne (Dunford) Brethour

BRETHOUR, Charlotte Anne (nee Dunford)  Charlotte Brethour, beloved wife of Bob, passed away peacefully at home on April 4th following a lengthy battle with ALS. Predeceased by her parents, Clayton and Vergie Dunford, Charlotte was the sister-in-law of Tim Brethour (Lucy) and Carol Stephens (Malcolm), loving Aunt to Janet Brethour, Deanna Stephens, and Michelle Brethour, and cousin to many in Canada and Australia.

Raised on a farm at Price’s Corners, Charlotte attended school in Marchmount and Orillia. Upon graduation from Park Street Collegiate, Charlotte’s working career was varied. Office work, Ladies Clothing Store Manager, Retail sales, and Travel Agent to name a few. Armed with an outgoing personality and a beautiful smile, Charlotte made friends easily and brightened the lives of all who knew her. She has touched many lives and will be sorely missed.

Charlotte and Bob began dating at 17 years of age in high school, and they were married at 20. They moved from Orillia to Barrie in 1985 and would have celebrated their 47th Wedding Anniversary in May. Charlotte and Bob loved to travel and visited many beautiful destinations over the years. Other interests included golf and choir. Charlotte was also a Lady Shriner for a number of years.

Charlotte was formally diagnosed with Bulbar ALS in August of 2019, although symptoms had appeared several years before. A cruel disease, Charlotte first lost the ability to speak and then the ability to swallow. As the disease progressed, she lost function in her neck and arms and finally her legs. Charlotte and Bob have attempted to raise awareness about ALS, and they participated in the Walk to End ALS (virtually) for the past two years. Although she will not be there at this year’s walk in June, Team Charlotte will be out in force.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Charlotte on Saturday, April 30th at the Masonic Temple, 99 Morrow Road, Barrie. Visitation from 2:00 pm until the service at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations to help find a cure for ALS and to provide equipment and support for those suffering from this horrible disease can be made using the following link: http://www.alsevents.ca/TeamCharlotteBrethour2022

On behalf of Charlotte, I cannot thank her health care team enough. ALS Canada, the ALS Clinic at Sunnybrook, our Palliative Care team, Hospice Simcoe, and the entire LHIN health care team have showed tremendous care and compassion. We thank you all very much.