Irma Brainard Obituary

Irma Jean (McWhorter) Brainard was born May 2, 1938 in Cleveland, Ohio, the first of three children of Frances Burnell and Gertrude Norma McWhorter. She died May 7, 2023 at Croasdaile Village Retirement Community in Durham, NC where she had recently celebrated her 85th birthday. Jean graduated from Mayfield High School in 1956 where she performed as a majorette in the band. After high school she started to work for a female osteopathic physician. Being from a family of modest means, Jean did not expect to attend college. However, this physician offered to loan her the funds. Jean subsequently graduated from Kent State University in 1961 with a degree in social work and was sure to pay back all the money she owed to the woman who made this possible. Later that year she married Frank Elbridge Brainard who walked lovingly by her side. Jean met Frank during her freshman year at Kent State. They shared a deep-rooted love of Christ which they maintained during their 60-year marriage through daily prayer, meditation and reflection. Jean exhibited faithful support as Frank pursued pastoral ministry in the United Methodist Church while becoming a mother to Heidi and Wesley. Later she and Frank worked side by side to complete and then manage a senior citizens apartment housing project in Niles, Ohio launched in 1974 by nine area churches that continues to serve the local community today. Jean's life was devoted to her professional social work, family and Christian practice. Jean advanced her career by completing a Master's Degree in social work in 1981 at the University of Pittsburgh. Her expertise was serving the older adult population through mental health and grief counseling until she retired at age 70. As a cancer survivor, she supported fundraising events and led a cancer support group in her retirement. She provided support to her husband who experienced Alzheimer's disease before his death by continuing their routine of daily prayer, playing Skip-Bo and regular pool exercise. She visited him frequently when he needed nursing care. She was particularly good at making and keeping friends with her genuine desire to understand and embrace people. After she and Frank moved to North Carolina from Ohio in 2011, she stayed in touch by telephone with many long-time friends while making precious new friends in her new neighborhood. During the final three and a half years of her life, she embraced the staff and residents of the Croasdaile Village Retirement Community. Jean exhibited deep love for her children by encouraging them to pursue their talents and callings, Heidi Kay White (and husband Leonard White) of Durham, NC and F. Wesley Brainard (and wife Nancy Brainard) of Royal Palm Beach, FL. Jean imparted her passion for older adults to her daughter Heidi, a geriatrician and professor of geriatric medicine at Duke University School of Medicine. Despite her disdain for air travel, she gladly visited her son in Paris as he studied mime with Marcel Marceau. Jean loved and took a keen interest in the lives of her four grandchildren: Hannah Joy Van Vleet (and husband David Van Vleet), Jonathan Brainard White, David Josiah Brainard and Benjamin Daniel Brainard. She recently embraced her great-granddaughter Madeleine Kay Van Vleet, born January 26, 2023. Jean is survived her children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter as well as her younger brother Frank McWhorter (and wife Carol). Her husband and younger sister Mary Canfield (and husband Wally Canfield) preceded her in death. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to one's local church or the church of family and friends. So many churches are struggling financially following the pandemic. Gifts of this kind will honor Jean's compassion for the local church to provide sanctuary for the expression of Christian faith and love. Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service on May 13, 2023 at 11 AM in Few Chapel at Croasdaile Village Retirement Community, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Durham, NC 27705. A zoom link will be available for those unable to attend in person.