Sally Copeland Brent (nee Beckett)

Sally Copeland Brent (nee Beckett) passed away peacefully at her home on June 1, 2021 at the age of 91. Sally married her loving and devoted husband Henry in 1953, and 68 years later they were still holding hands every day.

Sally was a wonderful mother to her six children, Hollis (Linda), Peggy, Michael (Janice), Doug (Averil), Tim (Helen) and Lisa (Hugh). She was a fantastic grandmother to her fourteen amazing grandchildren, David (Crystal), Jonathan (Kim), Tyler (Megan), Lindsay, Katie, Alison, Carolyn, Shannon (Brendan), Heather, Andie, Christine, Natalie, Kelly, and Eric. Sally was great-grandmother to Robert, Bella, and newly-born Kenzo. She was also a doting “mother” to her beloved dog, Amber.

Family was everything to Sally, and her passion for her kids and their offspring pervaded everything she did. Family Sunday night dinners were a tradition throughout her life, and no holiday ever passed without some form of family gathering or celebration. The family farm in Holland Landing played a central role her whole life, spending summers living there, surrounded by kids and puppies, playing tennis and swimming, and hosting good friends. Sally was feisty, strong-willed and 100% committed to fighting for what she believed in!

She could find humor in almost every situation, was quick to laugh, made friends easily, and wore her heart on her sleeve. Her volunteer work exemplified her selflessness and the passion she had for making other peoples’ lives better. She was especially devoted to those who needed help; she threw her heart into babies of all kinds: grandchildren, Great Pyrenees puppies and even baby raccoons!

Beyond family, Sally had a passion for travelling, often with good friends Barb and Gerry Paris and Phil and Anne Morton, and also loved many short getaways to the Atlantis Hotel where she was the luckiest person on Earth at the gaming tables. For many decades Friday night Chinese dinners with long-standing close friends were among the highlights of her week.

Sally was able to find a way to enjoy family, life, and love to the fullest, and she instilled that in all who knew her. There are not many better legacies that one could leave behind.

A Celebration of Sally’s wonderful life will be held when COVID restrictions permit. Please stand by for future details.

In lieu of flowers, donations to support dementia research through the UHN Foundation (416-603-5300) would be appreciated by the family.