SPONAGLE, Sadie 'Johnena' (Hawley) - Passed away on Friday, June 12, 2020.
Johnena was born August 22,1940 to the late Annie Isabel (nee MacKinnon) & Benedict Hawley.
She was predeceased by her siblings, Thelma, Donald Alex, Joe and Angus.
Her surviving siblings are Evelyn (Angus), Bennie (Anne), Clara (Gerard), Doug (Neallee).
Johnena is survived by her loving children, Thelma Marie (Wayne), Daniel, Floyd (Wendy), Maureen (Glenn), Angus Joseph (Stacey) and her husband Daniel Sponagle.
Johnena was blessed to have 9 grandchildren whom she doted on and loved fiercely. Leo (Laura), Christopher, Dawn, Courtney, Curtis (Steph), Erin, Katie, Reece, Mitchell. And 6 Great Grandchildren who were the light of her life – Riley, Kieran, Sheridan, Leigha, Allie, and Bennett.
Johnena moved to Toronto in 1965, but her heart remained home in Cape Breton. The minute school was out she packed up the car and headed down east for the summer with all her kids in tow- even bringing a few other kids as well. She worked hard all her life taking care of others. She instilled in her children the values of honesty, hard work, but above all else, being kind to everyone, always giving to others.
Her sense of humour was no laughing matter. You didn’t want to be on the other side of it. Capers are known for requiring a victim for the joke, but it is all in good fun. All of her many nieces and nephews loved her like a mother and she treated them like one of her own. They would all attest to her love for life, spunk and mischievous personality.
She would give you the shirt off her back – if you said you liked her shirt, she would take it off and the next time she saw you, she would give it to you. Our precious Mom, Sister, Aunt and Nanny was blessed with so many positive talents she used to help others in need. Her love for cooking for crowds of people included all family, friends and neighbours. There was always an over abundance of delicious food especially her famous cheesecake. After all were fed, she liked to “skip out on doing the dishes.” Her recipes will never be known because they were right off the top of her head! Johnena was in her happy zone when everyone was fed. When she wasn’t making sure everyone was fed you could find her at the bingo hall, playing cards or knitting dishcloths for everyone. If the music was playing, Johnena was on the dance floor. Shoes were not a priority for her and she was frequently found bare foot..inside and outside.
As Alzheimer’s stole Johnena’s memories, we were grateful that it never stole her sense of humour and she always seemed to know that she was surrounded by love.
You will never find a freer spirit. A more loving and caring, generous and comforting, all round blessing and grace like Johnena. All of us who knew her were better for it.
The world was a better place because of Johnena.
She will be missed. God bless you Mom.
“Wherever A Beautiful Soul Has Been, There Is A Trail Of Beautiful Memories.”
Celebration of Life will be held at a later date due to Covid.
Mom suffered from Alzheimer’s and received unbelievable care at her LTC home, Bloomington Cove.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that you make donations specifically to the Nursing Staff and PSW Staff. All contacts for donations can be made through the family.
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