WHITEWATER REGION (Lapasse) — It is with love and sorrow that we share this tribute to our Mother, a complex, fierce, and loving woman. She was larger than life and followed her own path in this world.
Mom’s life started in a small village on the shores of the Ottawa River. She loved her family and had a special bond with her Lacroix Grandparents. She spent as much time there as possible without moving in, sometimes ignoring bear warnings to walk the long way from the village to their farm on the Bromley Line! Those treasured memories were very dear to her during her last few years and she recounted so many tales it was sometimes hard to keep up. She loved them and they loved her.
Taking the train from Beachburg, she left home to finish High School at Notre Dame de Lourdes in Ottawa where she developed lasting friendships and nurtured her curiosity and love of learning. As soon as school was out however, she was off to Toronto to marry our Dad in a quiet, and secret ceremony. Their love would survive many hurdles after their return to the Ottawa Valley. It didn’t take long for the family to grow to the six of us (Darquise, Rosemary, Charlene, Ricky, Sheryl and Julie). Her family was complete and she was busy.
We lived in a few homes growing up: LaPasse, Ottawa, Perretton, and full circle back to Mom and Dad’s last home together in LaPasse. Wherever we lived, Mom transformed each place into a cozy and warm home. Mom is the only person we know who could bake bread, sew curtains and wallpaper a large country kitchen in one evening. Need a new outfit, a warm sweater or a new pair of mitts? No problem! Dresses sewn, sweaters and mitts complete, and ponchos crocheted. It was a magical time to find finished outfits on our beds. Needless to say, Dad was in charge of breakfast!
Mom was an accomplished seamstress, decorator, knitter extraordinaire, amazing cook, baker and canner, but she was always looking for more. Her quest for knowledge and a fulfilling career was satisfied when she returned to school at 47, and completed one of the last RNA programs offered through St. Vincent’s Hospital in Ottawa, finishing in the top five. She excelled and was so happy! She moved back to LaPasse and went on to nurse and retire with the Civic Hospital in Pembroke.
Mom was a survivor and a fighter and a doer. Whatever life threw at her, she still managed to be the best Gran to Stephen, Willie, Annie, Ben, Nicholas, Michael, Elizabeth, Daniel, Jessica, Brittaney, Sam, and, Noah. The common refrain from all of them was, “when are we going to Gran’s house?” All were greeted with loving, enthusiastic hugs and a plan to play and to find room in her bed for snuggles.
Throughout her life and in her various escapades, Mom developed long-lasting friendships. Her family was so important to her, as well as her deep connections with friends and colleagues. There was always room for “one more” at the table for any family dinners.
Mom lost her one big love when Dad died 11 years ago. Her grief was enormous. Dementia arrived several years later. It wasn’t easy, to see our strong, independent Mom get pulled from us, but she fought this tormentor with all her might and managed to stay funny, witty, and wicked. So many laughs were shared from her room and on the grounds at Marianhill. Treats from the local bakery always made things better.
Even on her last few days she managed to give one of the nurses the evil eye when she poked her with a needle. And we all said “there is the Anne, we know and love”. She kept everyone on their toes and brought out the best in people with her sage advice and her sense of humour. She carried the wisdom of her Grandmothers with her to the end.
We loved her so much and it is difficult to imagine the world without her. She made us who we are today! Her capacity for love, joy of knitting, and reading, her independence and her quest for knowledge, are her legacy.
Thank you from our family to the staff at Marianhill for their kindness and gentle manner in caring for Mom and providing her the best care she deserved in the last years of her life. Thank you to those who visited when she moved to Marianhill. Some came from far and wide to make sure that she felt loved. You blessed her life in a wonderful way. Finally, thank you to Jody for sitting with Mom during her final hours. Your support and kindness means the world to us, knowing that she was not alone in her final hours.
Mom, we will miss you but will carry your memory close to our heart to cherish forever. You can rest now, your work is done.
“A Mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.” — Unknown
