Celebrating 95 Wonderful Years of Life

We discovered when we awakened on Saturday, January 25th, that Mother Nature was presenting us with some interesting challenges.  There had been 148 confirmations for the big party to celebrate Mom's special day, and when we learned of the extent of the snow storm, we wondered how many of those confirmed, would actually be able to make it safely to the little church in the City of Vaughan ("The City Above Toronto").

Rachel's husband Peter, had driven with three friends to Detroit on Friday, a lovely sunny day, to attend the Habs/Detroit hockey game Friday night.  Early Saturday morning they hit the highway to make it home in time for the 2 pm start of the party.  Mother Nature had other plans however, and they found themselves sitting for three hours near London, behind a jack-knifed tractor trailer.  Other potential attendees called to let me know that their roads were closed and others emailed or called to say they had the flu that had been striking so many this winter.  Jan had flown in from New Brunswick on Friday evening, as had her son Craig and his wife Mary, so they were safely in town.  Jan stayed with Mom overnight to try to keep her nerves in check.  Poor Jan got little sleep as the little mama strolled about her apartment, seemingly sleep-walking.  Rachel, Craig and I got to the church at 11:30 a.m. to help set up for the party, while Bob stayed home awaiting Peter's arrival.  Technology is an amazing invention isn't it?  Through those little bitty iPhones, we were all kept apprised of the situation near London and finally, knowing that Peter might make it to the church near the end of the celebrations, Bob came to join us and Peter's friend dropped Peter off before the event was wrapped up.

Wayne and Ev and their family made it through the blowing snow, as did so many others.  Estimates are that close to 140 people attended, because the word had spread to others who wished to celebrate.  If everyone had attended, there would have been around 200 people.  Isn't that a fabulous tribute to one who has lived such a long life?  There was more than enough food and an extra cake that was shared the next day with the residents of Valley Vista.  Mom was completely overwhelmed and happy to be honoured this way.  Rock on Mom!  We suspect that you have many more miles to travel before you leave this human experience.

Adorable Mom in her pretty outfit

Guests begin to arrive:  David and Betty.  David worked
summers on our farm and Betty grew up in the community.
That's Jan's son Craig on left.

Mom at age 20

Mom and Dad's wedding photo

Mom's dear friend  and Valley Vista table-mate,
Agnes and her daughter and my friend, Joyce

Gary Cooper - a fellow church member when we were kids

Great-grandaughter Alex

Rachel

Great-grandaughter Madison

Jan on right, with the church organist.  That's Sam (Alex and
Madison's brother on the right)

Wayne on right, with Mary (Craig's wife)

Mom's only remaining cousin Ruth, and Ruth's son David.
It had been many, many years since Mom and Ruth had
seen each other.

Our cousin Shirley (Dad's sister Jean's daughter).  Shirley's
sisters Donna (in Costa Rica) and Betty (snowed in in Owen Sound)
couldn't be there.

Kay - another of Mom's dear friends and table-mates at Valley Vista.
The other table-mate is Ruth, the lovely woman in the purple jacket behind them.

Cousin Jamie and his wife Sharon

Jodi - a friend from childhood, whose parents, Mary and Joe Lamb, were dear
friends of Mom and Dad

My good friend Margaret and husband Eric (we have travelled
far and wide with these two).  Margaret's parents Jimmy
and Mildred Auld were great friends of Mom and Dad, and
her aunt Edna is still with us at 100 years of age, closing
in on 101 this summer.

My step-daughter Kim with wonderful sons
Alex (left) and Shane

Betty Marwood

Helen and Shelley Hadwin

Catherine - one of the ministers at New Hope United, and a terrific source
of support
to Mom and our family

Grandson Kevin and his daughter Emily

Gus and Joan Kerry's.  Joan was a young child when
she began to spend vacations on the farm.  She learned to ride
horses and loved most of the experiences.  The barn smells?  Not
so much?????

Friends Connie and Tom

Mel - his wife Chris was there as well but I couldn't find one
to share

The cards pile up

We discovered Susanne several years ago, when we connected
with Seniors for Seniors.  This young woman, mother of 5 children,
takes Mom out every Wednesday and simply loves her to bits.  Mom
and we love Susanne as much!  What a treasure!

The beautiful Carmine and the lovely Ivan Joseph.
They are New Hope Church members and Carmine nursed
Dad at the King Lodge Nursing Home.  We knew Dad
was in good hands with Carmine

Carmine's daughter Pam and Pam's son and his girlfriend

Cousin Jim, his wife Debbie and their first grandaughter

Another friend from our youth - Carol

Tara's husband Tom, who is a photographer, took wonderful cameo
shots.

Jean Thomas - long time church member

Margaret McClure - neighbour of Mom's when
she lived in The Gables of Kleinburg

Bob with handsome cousin Kent

Marc, Reverend Catherine's husband, announces that a tribute
to Mom's life and service will be held in the sanctuary

Mary's parents

A few choir members sing to Mom

Jan's step-daughter Amanda, and her partner Danny

Wayne and Ev's son Brian, enjoying a fun moment with Grandma,
while our grandson Matt, gives his grandpops Bob, a cheeky look.

Tara smiling at her husband

A history in thread of the church and church members at Teston United,
the church where Mom and Dad met.

Friends from The Gables

Pauline from The Gables

Another Gables friend

David and Shirley Jones - former Sunday School friends from over 50 years ago.

Brian's wife Karen shares pics with Sam's girlfriend Emily

Ralph Cooper and Joy came to the party, even though he'd
had hip surgery five days prior.  Ralph and the rest of the "young people"
grew up together.

Former neighbour, Jim Orser

Cousin Elizabeth (left) with her sister in law Sharon

Ed and Mary from the Gables

Peter finally makes it!  That's him with the red bag.  After
the church cleanup, a group of us went to a restaurant across
the street.  Mom was fantastic, still filled with energy and
keen to continue the celebration.  What a wonderful celebration
for a great woman.  Thanks to everyone who helped, who came through
crazy conditions, and who paid tribute to Mom.  Only a few family members
were unable to make it:  Elliot (Jan's husband) due to work, Jill and Gabe (the
rest of Kevin's family) due to illness, Maggie and Ben, snowed-in in Burlington,
Shanelle (our eldest grandaughter) and Al due to apartment hunting,
and Sidney (our second eldest grandchild) and Tony who are adventuring in distant places

Outside - the sun shines!