Passed away peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her daughters. She was greeted with arms wide open by the Lord, her dearly beloved husband and her eldest son on April 24, 2018 in North Bay at the age of 93. Mom was born on April 12, 1925 at Shearstown, Newfoundland. She was the youngest of nine children. She was adopted by her aunt and uncle at the age of three as her mother was unwell. Shortly after they moved to Niagara Falls where she grew up and met her husband, Lister. They were married on April 27, 1943 and went on to have four sons and two daughters. She was a stay-at-home mom with many talents. Her days were full of chasing children, sewing clothes and baking buns. Later in life, she was employed for Home Care working with people of all ages including triplets and special needs. She retired early to look after her ailing husband.
Mom attended Fellowship Baptist church where she played the organ and entertained countless missionaries. Her love for the Lord was quite evident in the way she lived each day. Mom was as a role model to many and inspired others to love with all your heart, treat people kindly and forgive easily. She was a woman after God’s own heart and often quoted Scripture. Mom never spoke ill of anyone and only found the best in people. Her favourite Bible verse was 2 Timothy 4: 7, 8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
She will be sadly missed by her six children: Robert (deceased), David (Rachel), Sharon (Byron), Danny (Jeannie), Carol, Stephen (Carole). Her eight grandchildren: Michelle (David), Nicky (Arthur), Amanda (Scott), Charlotte, Emilie (Cole), Andrea (Scott), Ryan (Jenn), Erin (Shane) and eighteen great grandchildren (Emma, Brett, Grace, Isaac, George, Sam, Maxwell, Julia, Molly, Lindsey, Noah, Faith, Sterling, Gavin, Travis, Parker, Leah, Lydia) will miss her smile and caring words.
Special thanks to Community Care Access Centre, Cassellholme, VON nurses, Personal Support Workers and Pauline Paquette who lovingly cared for our mother.
The family will be receiving friends at Martyn Funeral Home on Thursday April 26 from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00PM. A special service will be held at Laurentian Wesleyan Church (529 McKay Ave) on Friday April 27 at 11:00AM. Please join us for lunch afterwards to celebrate her life and precious memories. Donations can be made to Community Care Partners and North Bay Alzheimer’s Society. Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints.”