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Joanne Preece uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
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Joanne Preece posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Reflections on Erna
As Brigitte said in Erna’s obituary, “whomever she met, she touched their lives with kindness, love and sincerity”. The nursing staff in the Palliative Care Unit at Sunnybrook Hospital (where Erna spent her last 3 months) said they seldom had patients like her, that she remained kind and considerate with them right through the painful and difficult final days. In the days before and after her death, many, many people spoke of her in a very similar way. Her kindness was as natural to her as breathing. The day before she died, as she drifted in and out of consciousness, she told me how much she liked my sweater and how much it suited me. Who does that?
As I thought about her, and what I wanted to say in tribute, I reflected on her kindness, her love, her positivity and thought about where they came from. What was it that gave her the willingness, the ability and the strength to consistently be this way? Ultimately, I decided it was gratitude. Erna was one of the most appreciative people I have ever met. She found joy in the smallest of things and this informed her life. And, she constantly expressed that delight.
A few weeks before she died, she said to us, “Don't be sad. I’ve lived a good, long life. The staff here is wonderful and they are all taking good care of me. I am surrounded by family that love me”. She finished with, “I am the luckiest woman on earth”, and it was absolutely clear that she meant it.
In the time that I spent with her, in those final months, I watched as she enjoyed a meal, swayed to the music at the daily concerts, delighted in the birds or squirrels she watched in the garden… None of this was easy for her. The effort of eating left her so tired she would need to nap afterwards. Before the concert there was the ordeal of getting dressed, out of bed, into the wheelchair and hooked up to portable oxygen. As we wheeled her through the garden, or sat with her by a window to watch the birds at a feeder, her conversation would go from lucid to incomprehensible as she became increasingly tired. (That’s when we knew it was time to take her back to her room.) But day after day, she made the effort. She was appreciative of every small joy that life gave her and took pleasure in sharing her joy with others.
She did not have an easy life. She was a refugee during the 2nd World War. She was an immigrant to Canada after the war, arriving to join her husband, Anton, with a small child (Brigitte) and next to nothing. While raising Brigitte and Herb, alongside her husband, she physically built a home; she farmed; she helped him in business after business, in place after place. When she was in her 60s they separated. For much of her life, it was not easy. I suspect that this was the bedrock for her deep appreciation of even the smallest of pleasures, and the source of her understanding that a little kindness goes a long way.
I realized as I thought about her that her true gift to me was a deep understanding of gratitude and how deeply it can inform our behavior and shape our lives. While this quality had always been there in Erna, it was as I sat with her, reflected as she slept, suffered with her in those difficult final months that it became clear to me how gratitude had graced her life and positively affected the lives of those around her.
I have been very fortunate to have had Erna in my life and am deeply thankful for my times with her and for the gifts she has given me, so naturally and unassumingly.
Joanne Preece
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Michelle Wasyluk posted a condolence
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Brigitte, I am so sorry to hear about your mom's passing. What an incredible life she had, and thank you for sharing that with us. I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
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Josephine Stellini posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
I had the pleasure to meet Mrs. Erna back 1990 - She was the best teacher I ever had.
She was a great, Fantastic, amazing woman that was able to bring knowledge and happiness together.
Even do i did not see her often I still miss her. May prayer will be with you
josephine Stellini
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Henriette & Ray posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Dear Brigitte, Herb, Joanne, Evan,
We are very sorry to hear about your mom's passing.
Your tribute for your mom is beautiful. What an amazing life she has lived.
Thinking of you,
our deepest condolences.
love Henriette & Ray
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Andrea Kreutzer posted a condolence
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Brigitte, Herbie and family,
My heart is heavy for you on hearing this news. A big, lingering hug to both of you.
Your Mom's joy and love of life will be surely missed but will ramain forever in your memories. I can only picture her smiling. What a great spirit with unbreaking fortitude !
Keep dancing Erna !
Andrea and Dan
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Vanda Henry posted a symbolic gesture
Saturday, January 28, 2017
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To my very good friend Brigitte, in memory of her wonderful mother Erna. I met Erna in person once or twice at her house, she was the most soft spoken person and kind that I ever met. I'm sure most people agree with me. She will be missed but not forgotten and one day we will see her again in Gods time in this wonderful place called paradise.
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Paul, Diane, Krista & Michelle Gadd posted a condolence
Friday, January 27, 2017
We are all sorry for your loss.
With time the tears will turn to smiles whenever you think of her.
Things you've done together or what she has said, advice she has given you or just great memories.
She will forever live in your hearts.
The Gadd Family
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Diane Bernard posted a condolence
Thursday, January 26, 2017
My deepest sympathy Brigitte and family.
Whenever my dearest friend Brigitte left town on vacation, I would make a point of calling Erna. She would talk to me for hours telling me about the old days. I have never met her in person but her voice mirrored her sweet sweet personality. She will be remembered. May strength and good memories be with you.
Diane Bernard
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The family of Erna Erika Jahn uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 22, 2017
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Sunday, January 22, 2017
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The family of Erna Erika Jahn uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 22, 2017
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Sunday, January 22, 2017
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Sunday, January 22, 2017
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Sunday, January 22, 2017
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The family of Erna Erika Jahn uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 22, 2017
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Sunday, January 22, 2017
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Sunday, January 22, 2017
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Sunday, January 22, 2017
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Sunday, January 22, 2017
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Sunday, January 22, 2017
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Sunday, January 22, 2017
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The family of Erna Erika Jahn uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 22, 2017
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Nathan, Ellen, & Staff of eco posted a symbolic gesture
Saturday, January 21, 2017
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To the Jahn Family -
May you find comfort in this Memorial Webpage designed in memory of Erna as you begin to share in stories, photos, and sentiments here.
Sincerely,
Nathan, Ellen, & Staff of eco
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The family of Erna Erika Jahn uploaded a photo
Saturday, January 21, 2017
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