Karen, An individual who will not be forgotten.

Karen asked me several times to write her eulogy. Unfortunately, I live too far away to be at her Memorial Service. I will be there in spirit. Here is some of the material I would have included.

Here goes it Karen.



1. There has never been, nor will there ever be another just like her.

2. I don't know anyone who embraced motherhood with more enthusiasm.

3. Karen loved being pregnant.

4. With husband Bill she produced four, unique, talented human beings in five years. ( Ok, there was one set of twins. )

5. Her children, were always at the hub of the neighbourhood.

6. Karen's mother, with a voice that was seldom restrained, was a frequent fixture on Karen's front lawn.

7. Karen loved family and it was lucky she did. She was part of an active brood of siblings.

8. Karen loved all kids, especially the children she spent so much time with at a school/hospital for multi-handicapped children.

9. I don't think there was a kid who didn't love Karen.

10. I don't think there was a child she couldn't bring a smile to the face.

11. I don't think there is a limit to the number of babies, Karen wanted to have. The family would NOT have been of the Dugger mode.

!2. Karen's strength didn't lie in organization and housework skills.

13. There is nobody I would rather have on my team for a grand celebration.

14. Karen was a strong supporter of The Royal Family. One year to her surprise she found herself a member of The Monarchist League of Canada.

15. The membership came with a fine pair of white gloves.

16. She loved pushing her children throughout the neighbourhood in their fine British perambulator.

17. For many years it remained empty and disconsolate on her front porch.

!8. I don't know whether she loved The Canadian National Exhibition or Christmas the best.

19. At one point, she insisted she wanted her ashes spread on The Ex grounds.

20. Some christmas ornaments stayed up from one Christmas to another.

21. The neighbourhood Christmas Carol Party was legend.

22. One year Rudolph the Reindeer arrived with treats for the kids. I don't think Emily ever got over it.

23. Karen filled her children's lives with music.

24. Music remains an important part of their lives.

25. Karen liked teaching Sunday School.

26. She was a little under confident of her theology, but her class made mighty fine crafts.

27. She was a favourite.

28. For much of her life the YMCA Camp Pinecrest was the centre of her universe.

29. She was very adept at all camp activities.

30. One memorable time she chose to impress a young gentleman friend, that she was impervious to the ravages of poison ivy. She rubbed the leaves all over herself. Unfortunately, her immunity was limited. For some time her life was very uncomfortable.

31. To the delight of many, Bill's hands broke out shortly after in a poison ivy like rash.

32. Karen was a proud graduate of Lawrence Park Collegiate.

33. She wore her LPCI blazer for many, many, many years after graduation.

34. Karen was very pleased when her vocational aptitude tests suggested she would make a fine carousel operator.

35. There was never a house with more stray socks than Karen's.

36. Karen was a member in good standing of The Kashe Lake Literary Society. This had nothing to do with books, but was a yearly gathering of neighbourhood friends at our President, Joyce's cottage.

37. The centre of interest was good food, some wine and much merriment.

38. The last meeting was held was held in Harbourville N.S., some years ago.

39. Throughout Karen's life there were more than a few significant challenges.

40. Karen met her challenges with courage and humour.

41. Years ago, Karen was diagnosed with a very rare form of Pancreatic Cancer. She lived a long, rich time after the diagnoses, with much medical intervention.

42. Thankfully, Karen enjoyed almost all things medical.

43. Karen loved dogs. Bandit was a favourite.

45. When my father was dieing, Karen brought her kids home from her cottage for several days so my kids would have kids to play with.

46. Karen was up for almost anything. She kept a container of ladybugs and a praying mantis in her frig, a surprise for my mother, an organic gardener, on Mother's Day. Unfortunately, her kids opened the lid and her frig was filled with hundreds of ladybugs.

47. When I was out and my invalid father did not answer the phone. Not having a key, she sent her smallest boy through the milk door to check on him.

48.She was a great sports fan.  Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgoooooooooooooooooes.

49. Most years her kids were in the Santa Clause Parade, an event that meant getting up very, very early.

50. Her young daughter invited the teachers to lunch. In a flurry of faux tidying, her friends helped fill the small room by the back door, from floor to ceiling with stray things, then closed the door. Allison brought the teachers to the back door.

51. Karen loved toys. It wasn't long after the twins were out of diapers, she began putting things away for grandchildren.

52. Karen became a grandma after I left the neighbourhood. I hope she was fully appreciated by her grandchildren.

53. Thanks Karen for leaving so many wonderful memories.

                  Travelling Mercies.

First Nations Truth and Reconciliation Report

June 2, 2015 am


It is a time to listen and absorb. The story belongs to all Canadians, and all of us are a part of the story. But, now is the time to listen to the voices of the First Nations people whose lives and living remain bound in ways, that were not theirs and not of their choosing.

Silence was demanded of them. Right now. the least we can do is listen with open hearts. In time, we may be able to  find the paths through listening and striving to understand, that can lead us to reconciliation.

The truth is hard to hear. Imagine how much the truth is to bare.