My mother is missed a lot already but it is great to know she is in Heaven with Dad!
See below for tribute from the Pleasant Manor Radiant Care Memorial Service! (below the program cards below.
Tribute by my niece Kim Salierno for the grandchildren:
Memories of Grandma Lilian from her Grandchildren
Sesame snaps, apples, cod liver oil capsules, sugar free, extremely tart
Vitamin C tablets, the occasional spoonful of molasses and goat’s milk.
Now that your mouth is watering, I’ll let you know that these were the typical
snacks that we enjoyed, learned to enjoy, (or at least pretended to) at Grandpa
and Grandma Pedley’s house. There were no typical, kid approved snacks like
chocolate or potato chips to be found on Prideaux Street, not even at Hallowe’en.
Brent remembers always being very un-excited to trick or treat at Grandma’s for
Halloween because he knew that every year, instead of chocolates or licorice we'd
be getting sesame snaps or apples. Brent does however, remember getting the
occasional treat of a spoonful of molasses, which he loved.
Vitamin C tablets, the occasional spoonful of molasses and goat’s milk.
Now that your mouth is watering, I’ll let you know that these were the typical
snacks that we enjoyed, learned to enjoy, (or at least pretended to) at Grandpa
and Grandma Pedley’s house. There were no typical, kid approved snacks like
chocolate or potato chips to be found on Prideaux Street, not even at Hallowe’en.
Brent remembers always being very un-excited to trick or treat at Grandma’s for
Halloween because he knew that every year, instead of chocolates or licorice we'd
be getting sesame snaps or apples. Brent does however, remember getting the
occasional treat of a spoonful of molasses, which he loved.
Chris describes Grandma as was way ahead of the curve when it came to a
healthy diet. She was very particular about what to eat...the catch phrases today
are organic and farm to table. Grandma Lillian had a plentiful garden of vegetables
and fruit and may have single-handedly kept the health food store on Queen Street
in business. Perhaps this diet regimen which also included eating several small
meals rather than 3 larger ones contributed to her longevity, making it past the
century mark. Even though we wouldn’t describe grandma as overly affectionate,
Brent says that one way that her love for her grandkids certainly shone through
was by ensuring we ate healthy under her watch.
healthy diet. She was very particular about what to eat...the catch phrases today
are organic and farm to table. Grandma Lillian had a plentiful garden of vegetables
and fruit and may have single-handedly kept the health food store on Queen Street
in business. Perhaps this diet regimen which also included eating several small
meals rather than 3 larger ones contributed to her longevity, making it past the
century mark. Even though we wouldn’t describe grandma as overly affectionate,
Brent says that one way that her love for her grandkids certainly shone through
was by ensuring we ate healthy under her watch.
Chris remembers serving her pizza for the first time (he believes she was in her
70's then) when she exclaimed "Oh my, that's good!" Yes grandma, most of the
world agrees! Grandma was always very appreciative and complimentary of the
chef during the meals that we enjoyed together as a family. This was not always
the case however. I can recall several instances where she would remind us at
the dinner table that she tried to forewarn my dad before they were married about
my mother’s limited cooking skills. Over the years however, Grandma made sure
to point out that this was clearly no longer the case. She seemed to take great
delight in our family dinners together, regularly remarking on how wonderful the
meal was. As you can imagine, dinners at the Wiens' house are typically not quiet,
in fact the opposite is usually true....but if the volume level ever did dip down for
any amount of time or the topics of conversation didn’t peak her interest,
Grandma always found interest in music, humming a tune, or spontaneously
breaking out into song, singing "alouette" or other French-Canadian children's
songs or fingerplays. In the recent past, when Grandma wasn’t feeling all that well
or didn’t have much pep (as she would call it), she would tell my mom, “Sylv,
today I don’t even have a song in my heart.” This is when we knew when she
really was down and out as music was a part of my Grandma’s heart-beat, her
natural daily rhythm, I would say it was part of the fabric of her being.
70's then) when she exclaimed "Oh my, that's good!" Yes grandma, most of the
world agrees! Grandma was always very appreciative and complimentary of the
chef during the meals that we enjoyed together as a family. This was not always
the case however. I can recall several instances where she would remind us at
the dinner table that she tried to forewarn my dad before they were married about
my mother’s limited cooking skills. Over the years however, Grandma made sure
to point out that this was clearly no longer the case. She seemed to take great
delight in our family dinners together, regularly remarking on how wonderful the
meal was. As you can imagine, dinners at the Wiens' house are typically not quiet,
in fact the opposite is usually true....but if the volume level ever did dip down for
any amount of time or the topics of conversation didn’t peak her interest,
Grandma always found interest in music, humming a tune, or spontaneously
breaking out into song, singing "alouette" or other French-Canadian children's
songs or fingerplays. In the recent past, when Grandma wasn’t feeling all that well
or didn’t have much pep (as she would call it), she would tell my mom, “Sylv,
today I don’t even have a song in my heart.” This is when we knew when she
really was down and out as music was a part of my Grandma’s heart-beat, her
natural daily rhythm, I would say it was part of the fabric of her being.
Speaking of fabric, I can recall feeling fascinated by my grandmother’s loom which
seemed to fill an entire room in their Prideaux Street home. In addition to weaving,
grandma enjoyed other traditional textile arts such as knitting and needlepoint.
She often carried with her, a bag filled with balls of yarn and knitting needles and
was happy to involve us in a few rows too from time to time. We grandchildren
have been the recipients of custom knitted hats, mittens and socks over the years.
Our walls were adorned with quite a few works of needlepoint as well that
Grandma spent countless hours creating. I truly admire these skills.
seemed to fill an entire room in their Prideaux Street home. In addition to weaving,
grandma enjoyed other traditional textile arts such as knitting and needlepoint.
She often carried with her, a bag filled with balls of yarn and knitting needles and
was happy to involve us in a few rows too from time to time. We grandchildren
have been the recipients of custom knitted hats, mittens and socks over the years.
Our walls were adorned with quite a few works of needlepoint as well that
Grandma spent countless hours creating. I truly admire these skills.
Grandma and Grandpa’s home on Prideaux Street holds so many fond memories
for me such as taking naps on their front porch while being lulled to sleep by the
sound of the wind chimes and exploring with wonderment their attic filled with
treasures, each one the potential spark for a tall tale to be imagined and items
that helped to tell Grandma and Grandpa’s life stories.***
for me such as taking naps on their front porch while being lulled to sleep by the
sound of the wind chimes and exploring with wonderment their attic filled with
treasures, each one the potential spark for a tall tale to be imagined and items
that helped to tell Grandma and Grandpa’s life stories.***
Brent describes Grandma as the original environmentalist, long before
environmentalism was even a word. When Brent and dad would go to cut the
lawn and rake leaves, they would put the clippings and leaves into her compost
pile for her vegetable garden. Except she had 2 compost piles: 1 was "clean
compost" that she could use for the vegetables, and the other which was
"dirty compost" consisting of leaves or grass clippings that came from near the
road, which could have been contained with gas or oil. That was not to be used
for something that might end up in our bodies.
environmentalism was even a word. When Brent and dad would go to cut the
lawn and rake leaves, they would put the clippings and leaves into her compost
pile for her vegetable garden. Except she had 2 compost piles: 1 was "clean
compost" that she could use for the vegetables, and the other which was
"dirty compost" consisting of leaves or grass clippings that came from near the
road, which could have been contained with gas or oil. That was not to be used
for something that might end up in our bodies.
Grandma’s lifestyle of natural living and minimizing environmental damage also
included a rain barrel which collected water for washing her hair and watering the
gardens and very often walking instead of driving. My mother has accused me of
being like Grandma Lilian in my efforts to choose natural products for cleaning
and skin care. I consider this high praise. Brent has determined that Grandma
definitely left the earth with what in modern times we would call a negative carbon
footprint, which she explicitly stated was for the future generations. He also
attributes his love of nature to Grandma for which he is eternally grateful.
included a rain barrel which collected water for washing her hair and watering the
gardens and very often walking instead of driving. My mother has accused me of
being like Grandma Lilian in my efforts to choose natural products for cleaning
and skin care. I consider this high praise. Brent has determined that Grandma
definitely left the earth with what in modern times we would call a negative carbon
footprint, which she explicitly stated was for the future generations. He also
attributes his love of nature to Grandma for which he is eternally grateful.
She loved to play cards and board games and was a fierce competitor (I’m not
sure about you Uncle Charles, but this trait seems to have been passed on to
your sister). Grandma was a member of a bridge club that would meet once a
week. Chris recalls getting destroyed in a game of scrabble once that they played
on her porch. In his words, “She torched me!...although were those all, really
words??” He took her word for it but still thinks some of grandma’s choices were
a little suspicious. Grandma took great pleasure in her winnings even when her
competitors were youngsters, gloating while at the same time attempting to cheer
us up. Chinese Checkers and Backgammon were a few other favourites. Losing
was never fun, but we now appreciate these opportunities which instilled in us
perseverance, resilience, competitiveness, planning and problem-solving skills.
Board games and card games are still family favourites for all of us and we have
our grandmother to thank for this.
sure about you Uncle Charles, but this trait seems to have been passed on to
your sister). Grandma was a member of a bridge club that would meet once a
week. Chris recalls getting destroyed in a game of scrabble once that they played
on her porch. In his words, “She torched me!...although were those all, really
words??” He took her word for it but still thinks some of grandma’s choices were
a little suspicious. Grandma took great pleasure in her winnings even when her
competitors were youngsters, gloating while at the same time attempting to cheer
us up. Chinese Checkers and Backgammon were a few other favourites. Losing
was never fun, but we now appreciate these opportunities which instilled in us
perseverance, resilience, competitiveness, planning and problem-solving skills.
Board games and card games are still family favourites for all of us and we have
our grandmother to thank for this.
Chris remembers how Grandma was a great caretaker for her blind husband,
Grandpa Wes...always helping him first before helping herself. The love she had
for her husband was always on display and she worked hard to do the extra things
that came with having a blind partner. Don't get me wrong though, Grandpa Wes
could handle himself and more (playing musical instruments and even building
with tools), he was amazing...but things like giving him a tour of his dinner plate
(potatoes are at 2:00 and ham is at 9:00 for example) and navigation, announcing
when steps were coming, taking his coat and hat and putting them away for him
...all the little things, Grandma was always there for him.
Grandpa Wes...always helping him first before helping herself. The love she had
for her husband was always on display and she worked hard to do the extra things
that came with having a blind partner. Don't get me wrong though, Grandpa Wes
could handle himself and more (playing musical instruments and even building
with tools), he was amazing...but things like giving him a tour of his dinner plate
(potatoes are at 2:00 and ham is at 9:00 for example) and navigation, announcing
when steps were coming, taking his coat and hat and putting them away for him
...all the little things, Grandma was always there for him.
Above all, my brothers and I agree that our fondest memories with grandma
involved music. We would often receive gifts like harmonicas or recorders for
Christmas which most certainly thrilled our parents because what parents aren’t
overjoyed for their 3 young kids to all receive noisemakers at the same time? Who
could forget the Newark Folk Singers’ band practices in our living room with
Grandpa, mom, and Aunt Joanne singing and playing guitar and Grandma and
Aunt Ella on backing vocals? A really special moment for me was performing with
their folk band at Simcoe Park for the NOTL Bicentennial celebration. Watching
and listening to mom, some of her closest friends and our grandparents practice
and perform was always a highlight for us. I can safely say that Chris, Brent’s,
mine and my cousins’, Ann and Rebecca’s love of music has most definitely been
shaped by the Pedleys.
involved music. We would often receive gifts like harmonicas or recorders for
Christmas which most certainly thrilled our parents because what parents aren’t
overjoyed for their 3 young kids to all receive noisemakers at the same time? Who
could forget the Newark Folk Singers’ band practices in our living room with
Grandpa, mom, and Aunt Joanne singing and playing guitar and Grandma and
Aunt Ella on backing vocals? A really special moment for me was performing with
their folk band at Simcoe Park for the NOTL Bicentennial celebration. Watching
and listening to mom, some of her closest friends and our grandparents practice
and perform was always a highlight for us. I can safely say that Chris, Brent’s,
mine and my cousins’, Ann and Rebecca’s love of music has most definitely been
shaped by the Pedleys.
My cousin Rebecca, her husband, Scott and their sons, Ian, McGregor and Nathan
live in Delevan, New York and my other cousin, Ann, her husband Jon and their
sons Nathaniel and Andrew are not able to join us today. They wanted me to
share a special memory that they had with Grandma Lillian last year.
live in Delevan, New York and my other cousin, Ann, her husband Jon and their
sons Nathaniel and Andrew are not able to join us today. They wanted me to
share a special memory that they had with Grandma Lillian last year.
Rebecca describes their last visit with grandma as a holy experience. These are
her sentiments.
her sentiments.
”We're so thankful for it. She sang and prayed a blessing over all of us that we had
never heard before. It is a memory we will never forget. We are both mourning
and rejoicing with you at Grandma's passing into glory. Grandma Lillian was a
hero to me. She is missed already, but I'm so very thankful to picture her dancing
in heaven.”
never heard before. It is a memory we will never forget. We are both mourning
and rejoicing with you at Grandma's passing into glory. Grandma Lillian was a
hero to me. She is missed already, but I'm so very thankful to picture her dancing
in heaven.”
Thank you Kim!
Rocky Mountain High Trip !!!
Mom & Dad never had much money but were careful with it. So when Dad passed away and especially when Mom moved to Pleasant Manor in Virgil, we wanted to help her spend it on things that she would have never done alone. So I kept asking her every once in a while what she would like to do next with the money from selling her house in Niagara on the Lake.
She replied that she had always wanted to ride on the domed sight-seeing train that went through the Rocky Mountains.
So I arranged the trip and she absolutely loved it. It turned out that was the last trip for her and macular degeneration was setting in and she would have never been able to view the beautiful views, some of which are shown below.
The train goes from Edmonton to Vancouver and we made it in just about 23 hours, many of which of course when we were sleeping. But the Via Rail train had set up the trip so that the best views could be seen before dark on the first day of the trip. If I get a chance I may include the slideshow using these photos and including John Denver's song "Rocky Mountain High" :)
This is in the West Edmonton mall where Mom and my wife Ellen posed with a rather stiff permanent resident :)
It was a wonderful trip. Mom loved it and of course so did we.
Now from heaven, she can see again!
Of course we flew home :)
-C G Pedley 2019
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