Obituary of Lee Bryant

A livestream and recording of the service is available by clicking here

Shirley Mary Edith “Lee” Bryant passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2023, in Kitchener, Ontario.

Lee Bryant was the cherished chosen daughter of John and Marscena Helen Bryant, born in Toronto, Ontario on January 21, 1930. She was predeceased by her parents, and her two brothers, Arthur Bryant, M.D., and Kenneth Bryant. She is survived by her niece Barbara-Ann Bryant-Anstie, nephews Kenneth and David, and many faithful friends that she would call family.

Lee was an author, teacher, speaker, counsellor, lover of Siamese cats, and a faithful friend. She published two books – Come Fill the Cup and The Magic Bottle – the first a riveting account of her struggle with alcoholism and the power of Christ that saved her, the second recounting the struggles of women with alcoholism. Lee studied portrait art and imaginative drawing at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, then earned a Bachelor of Theology degree at Toronto Bible College (now Tyndale University). When she moved to Kitchener, she completed a B.A. in modern and cultural history at the University of Waterloo. Her career over the decades included working in studios and pubs in Toronto, tour guide at Union Station in Toronto, counselling at the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago, IL, and working with girls under age 16 at the juvenile court in Toronto. From the publication of Come Fill the Cup in 1970, Lee had many speaking engagements and lectures. After the publication of The Magic Bottle in 1978, she moved to Kitchener and provided counselling through Waterloo’s Alcohol Recovery House. In 1998 she began teaching history and world religions at Conestoga College with a special emphasis on the role of women. On King Street in Waterloo, the door to her home that she shared with Betty Gardner was always open to share a cup of tea and conversation.

Special thanks to the staff of peopleCare AR Goudie for their tender care of Lee over the past several years.

Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Thursday, January 19th from 10 am – 10:45 am. The funeral service will follow in the chapel of the funeral home at 11:00 am.  A livestream and recording of the service will be made available on Lee’s tribute page at www.erbgood.com. A reception will follow the service, with the burial at 2 pm at Mount View Cemetery in Cambridge, Ontario.

Condolences for the family and donations to The Scott Mission or a charity of your choice may be arranged at www.erbgood.com.