Donald Teuma-Castelletti
SHAWVILLE April 29, 2018
Gathered in St. Paul’s Anglican Church, it was a picture-perfect send-off for one long-time, dedicated spiritual leader in her community. Her congregation, gathered in close together with hands placed on her and each other, as they shared one last blessing.
That was the scene at the end of the Venerable Mavis Brownlee’s final service on Sunday afternoon in Shawville, as she heads off into retirement after serving nine years in the community.
“I’m just very thankful for each and every parish, and our leadership here in Shawville, in Holy Trinity Radford, in St. Paul’s and now in the greater parish, up to Danford Lake and Otter Lake, Renfrew,” said Brownlee, following the service. “I mean, this has been a real gift to me. To be able to, just before I retire, see this blossoming and coming together, with the incredible team that we have now. I couldn’t leave at a better time.”

With the Sunday morning mass pushed back till two in the afternoon, Bishop John Chapman joined the Anglicans for the bittersweet service. While the Bishop admitted he would rather have Brownlee serve with them for some time yet, he put all jokes aside in highlighting her role with the Area Church of Renfrew-Pontiac.
The Bishop, like the congregants, were proud to have Brownlee lead and live within the community and built the afternoon’s sermon around her work, likening her tireless efforts in serving to those of Lazarus’ sister, Martha of Bethany.
Soon after, hands were placed for the blessing and the service concluded, with everyone eager to head to the Parish Hall for the after-party.
Filling the hall, guests enjoyed a full potluck meal of many dishes, plus a wide variety of desserts to follow.
Once plates had been filled a couple of times, thank-you speeches and kind words were shared from the public. Rev. Tim Kehoe acted as MC for the afternoon, as Shawville Mayor Sandra Murray and MRC Pontiac Warden Jane Toller kicked off the dedications.
After more heartfelt tributes and gifts were presented, Brownlee took to the stage to thank everyone for their words, plus share a few tender moments from her career.
So, what does retirement look like for Brownlee? It turns out, things couldn’t be much sweeter – or sour, depending upon your taste.
“We have an established vineyard we’ve been working at,” said Brownlee. “We have 500 grape vines and that’s just enough for us, [my husband] Graeme [Brownlee] and I.”
As well, folks can still expect to see much of her in the area, as the winery is not that far from Shawville.
“We’ll be moving into the house, just out on Calumet Road West,” she continued.
Of course, leaving a career that she’s loved so dearly will be hard. However, the memories made from her nine years of service to the area will not be lost, and one scene in particular from Sunday’s service will be sure to stick with her for all her days.
“It’s all been so emotional for me, it’s bittersweet, you know. I think, when everyone laid hands on us, to bless us, was the most powerful,” said Brownlee. “I really appreciate that, Graeme does, too. We’re bowled over by the amount of love and support that we’ve received.”