It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Madeleine Cormier-Brzezinski, age 71. She passed away at May Court Hospice in Ottawa on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, after a courageous battle against cancer.
She had the soul of an artist and expressed her talents in many ways. Known in Ottawa as the owner of Chapeaux de Madeleine, she was a hatmaker to the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Governor General of Canada and their entourage, many diplomats, brides and brides’ mothers. Her fedoras graced the heads of gentlemen, ladies and musicians.
She discovered her voice as a jazz singer and recorded with her musical group.
She was predeceased by her husband, Allan Brzezinski, and by her parents, Juliette Aubut and Joseph Cormier. She leaves behind her sisters Michelle (Alain Berthiaume), Suzanne (Jean Trudel), her niece Sophie Trudel (François Vaillancourt), many cousins and friends, as well as Frank Sukhoo, her business partner.
The family would like to express their profound gratitude to the palliative care team who gave her dignity to the end.
A celebration of her life will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025 at Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre), located at 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa. The family will receive condolences from 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the May Court Hospice in Ottawa would be greatly appreciated.
Digital Guestbook
Ginette Fréchette et Pierre Cormier
Brigitte Doreen Picard
Madeleine, ma belle cousine, j'ai le cœur gros. Tu m'as donné des bons conseils. Merci. J'aurais aimé visiter plus souvent.
Pauline et Normand Landry
Michelle Susanne et famille, on vous souhaite nos plus sincères condoléances. J’ai beaucoup de beaux souvenirs de cette petite cousine de la rue Bellevue . On ne l’oubliera pas surtout avec son Summer Time.💞
Brigitte Picard
Love you Madeleine
Mickey Massaad
My sincere condolences to family!
Sincères condoléances à toute votre famille. Nous serons en virtuel avec vous cet après-midi! 🌹xx