- In her 80's Mom would remind us that she was ready to "go" because she was well past her "due date".
- She would say, "Don't feel bad when because I have had a good run and I can't kick"
- In their more mobile days, we enjoyed taking Mom and Aunt Mary out for lunch-- it never failed that when their very full plates were placed in front of them, they would both comment that it was way too much food, and that they would never be able to eat all of it! It also never failed that their plates were so clean they almost didn't need washing.
- After Mom moved to Arborview, (a Wellness Suite in Pleasant Manor) and received regular baths, the PSW's (Personal Social Workers) informed me that Mom, always a teacher, would try to teach them the names of the body parts in French.
- During one of my visits, Mom and I were "trapped"in the hall outside of the chapel with a few other residents. She decided that would be a good time to break into a lusty rendition of the French National Anthem. Fortunately the residents with whom we were trapped, were used to odd behaviour, and didn't seem to mind.
- As Mom aged, she occasionally lamented the changes that were happening. On one ocasion , she stated , "My hearing's getting worse every day. So is my eyesight. I'd better die soon, or I'll be a terrible nuisance!" Just one example of how Mom so often put the needs of others before her own.
Memories of Grandma Lilian from her Grandchildren
-Presented by Kim Salierno, our niece (Charles & Ellen)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.***
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??”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
Thank you Kim!
And "Thank you God for the great parents who taught us eternal values as well as earthly ones." We miss them so much but part of them will always be in our memories and in our lives.
-Charles G Pedley, 2019
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