MOUNTENAY, Aileen Marion - (November 10, 1923 - November 16, 2021)
Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at Lakeridge Health Oshawa, in her 99th year.
Predeceased by her sons John (Jack) and Ted.
Loving mother to Linda Butcher (Phillip) and Carol Kloosterman (Charles).
Cherished grandmother to Cindy, Karen (Pete), Alicia (Albert), Joy (Nick), Phillip, Robbie, and Kurtis and great-grandmother to Billy (April), Lindsay, Damian, Nicholas, Alexandra, and Olivia and great-great-grandmother to Chase, Summer and Sophia.
She will be missed by her dear friend Madeline.
Grandma was born November 10, 1923 in Peterborough to Frank and Marie Elliott. Her family moved to Carrying Place where she enjoyed her childhood with her siblings, Bob, Les and Bernice.
As children they played along the canal bank, had the occasional flight in their father's plane and later enjoyed evenings of cards and music with their neighbouring friends, sometimes arriving by sleigh on winter nights.
By grade school Grandma was already a proficient embroiderer, cross stitcher, knitter and crocheter and continued to enjoy these crafts throughout her life.
Her love of handiwork led her to a career as a professional seamstress. She became a very accomplished drapery maker, holding jobs in this position with Cherney's Furniture and later at Solina's Draperies in Oshawa. She also had her own home business, Columbus Draperies, for many years.
Grandma passed her summers with her husband, Harry and family at Benoir Lake where her sister, Bernice also had a cottage. There she loved to fish, boat and swim and shared these pastimes with her kids and grandchildren.
Grandma was a lifelong learner, over the years taking classes in creative writing, oil painting, wood carving and folk art. She also enjoyed the fun and friendship that she found in her darts and bowling leagues. Her trophies prove that her twinkling eyes and disarming smile were a cover for her more competitive streak, simmering below the surface. She also was an avid gardener and an enthusiastic Blue Jays fan.
Grandma was the matriarch to five generations, each new baby always receiving some homemade heirloom made by Grandma’s own loving hands.
She presided over every holiday dinner with a prayer of gratitude (no doubt this gratitude contributed to her longevity) and until very recently, she made the Christmas pudding at Christmastime. She beat the older kids regularly at Scrabble and Cribbage, but always patiently helping the younger ones count their cards and place their tiles.
Grandma gave back to her community for decades, as a member of the Columbus United Church UCW, and also by volunteering for the Women's Auxiliary at the Royal Canadian Legion.
She was devoted to her family and friends, managing to call us all regularly, celebrating our successes and helping to carry our burdens. We each mattered so very much to her. Her love and guidance throughout our lives has made us a very close-knit and grateful family.
Grandma's family would like to thank the team of PSW’s at her home, the Sunrise Senior’s Centre in Oshawa.
Their compassion, friendship and love for Grandma comforted her and her family for all her years there, especially her later years, where they kept her safe from COVID and provided loving companionship when it was difficult for family to visit. Aileen called them her ‘Angels’, and we do too.
Thank you, also to the wonderful staff of Lakeridge Health ,Palliative Care.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 21st from 2-5 p.m. at the ARMSTRONG FUNERAL HOME (124 King St. E., Oshawa). A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, November 22, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. in the Chapel. Interment Thornton Cemetery.
All attendees must be double vaccinated and will be required to show proof of vaccination and identification. Masks are mandatory. Registration for contact tracing is required.
Please register at ARMSTRONG FUNERAL HOME or by calling 905-433-4711.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Covenant House.
Online condolences may be left at armstrongfh.ca .
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