Tributes posted for Margaret Braun at new daycare

360 Developments Group, friends, and families honoured Margaret Braun Friday, dedicating the 360 West daycare in her name. (Chris Abbott Photo)

Chris Abbott, Post Correspondent

Friday, August 29 was an emotional day for 360 Developments Group, their friends, their families and the community as the 360 West daycare facility was dedicated in Margaret Braun’s name.

Some brought pre-printed stories and photos to post on the interior walls of the not-yet-finished daycare, some came with their memories and wrote directly on the walls to honour Braun, who passed away on July 26.

‘Forever in our hearts.’

‘Always loved, never forgotten.’

‘Love you forever!! My bestie.’

‘You’ve gone too soon. The world is not the same without you. We love you.’

Candles were lit, music played, and people gathered to share memories.

“We just wanted everyone to feel welcome, feel safe, having discussions, sharing memories and stories,” said Cedric Tomico, from 360 Developments Group, who organized the 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. dedication.

“We had a bit of a private time, just with family and really close friends before the public arrived. Then it was just open to anybody.

Braun was an owner, one of six 360 Developments Group shareholders in Tillsonburg, along with her husband Peter, Cedric and Trish Tomico, and Frank and Margaret Voth.

“She was just an absolutely beautiful, selfless, kind soul,” said Tomico. “I think probably one of her most unique gifts was that she could make any child, at any time, just feel extremely loved and precious. Like they were the most important in the room. I know her own four children were pretty much her whole life, but she had the ability to do this with any child. I saw it with my own kids, and many other kids.”

When 360 Developments Group first announced the daycare, Tomico said it was a special moment for the group, especially Braun.

“She was extremely excited by it,” said Tomico. “Just very, very proud of that vision we had come up with to do this. This has been a vision since we broke ground on the development (2021), it’s always been a thought that we put a daycare facility here.”

It might have been a place she hoped to work at in some capacity, said Tomico.

On the walls were messages not just from family and friends, but also the community, including trades people working with 360 Developments who knew the family and who’s lives were touched by Margaret.

“Everybody,” said Tomico. “Just everybody.”

They included Bible verses, stories, memories, and tributes which will continue to live on at the daycare, said Tomico, allowing that gift she had “that was truly a Gift from God” to permeate the walls, and although not seen, inspire and encourage children through generations.

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The daycare building potentially could be completed by the end of the year, although it’s official opening is still unknown.

“It’s moving along pretty good,” said Tomico. “We’re doing what we can.”

chris@granthaven.com