I knew Mom was strong but only recently did I discover just how infinite. Mom was fiercely protective of her children, her family was everything to her. Mom was always upbeat and had a sway in her step. Music was a constant as was Sunday football and dinner -everyone welcome. As a child I remember thinking how lucky I was to have my home, my Dad, my Mom. Mom never stopped or appeared fatigued.

In addition to raising 5 children of her own, she also fostered children. We usually had 1 or 2 babies living with us. Mom did it all. I would come home after-school and find the living room furniture all rearranged. Another time her hair was banana yellow, a dye job gone wrong. Mom would whistle and smoke as she prepared to re-dye her hair. Mom always had our backs and anyone else’s if need be. If you threatened her kids, you would hear about it.

We spent a lot of time with our Nan growing up. She helped to make us the people who we are today and we will forever be grateful for the time we shared with her. As kids, Nan spent many days with us while our parents were at work. Our lunches were never short of laughs, stuffed crust pizzas or Baskin Robins Ice Cream cake. We will forever try to perfect her french toast recipe. Our nan put her family before everything and would do anything to protect them. We were her everything. She was ours too.

11 Grandkids and Nan had a special relationship with each one of us. She knew us better than we knew ourselves some days. She could predict what we were going to say before we even said it. It’s hard to imagine not being able to call her to talk about something we might be going through. She always knew the right things to say to make us feel better. Our nan believed in trusting your gut and doing what you feel is right, standing up for yourself and being yourself. Lessons we will refer to for the rest of our lives.

Along with the many lessons Nan taught us, she also had quite the vocabulary. Some of her many sayings, or as we like to call them, “Nan’isms” included: “Don’t say what, say pardon me” “Bugger off” “Put your lips together and blow” “Let’s blow this popsicle stand”

Some of our favourite memories include: -playing crib with Nan and Grandpa Dave -sleepovers-having to wake them up because they slept in so late -playing in her closet with her shoes - walks to the park by her house with Choco - going for candy runs at her apartment on Victoria Park and eating her Werther’s candies - ice cube fights- we always thought we would get her, but she won every time These are memories we will cherish always.

Nanny was there for us from day one. Staying with our mom to help her in her new role as a mother and blossoming as a grandmother. Though we did not live close by she was still involved in our everyday life. We always looked forward to visiting her and Grandpa Dave but when we weren’t there in person we would beg to phone her. We took pride in every school project or craft, waiting until we could show it to her. Even the smallest accomplishment was recognized and we felt very encouraged and supported.

We have fond memories of walks to the “far park” and the daisy mart. Nanny may not have always spoiled herself but she took priority in spoiling her grandchildren. We will always remember and cherish our “Theodore stockings” that were specifically for Christmas day at Nanny and Grandpa Daves. Christmas days are probably our most fond memories, not only for the generosity Nanny and Grandpa Dave showed us with Scarborough Santas visits, but for the traditions we will continue to carry on.

As we grew older our phone calls to Nanny continued but we could be found talking privately in our rooms about more serious matters. Nanny was our biggest confidant ensuring us that we could talk to her about anything at all. We talked to her about trouble with friends, boys, jobs and even our parents. She was most certainly fair and we knew if she sided with our parents on a matter that she was right. These are the things we most valued in our Nanny. We all agree that she was and always will be our most favourtite person in the world.

Nanny made transitioning out of the home much easier for us as we went off to College and University. She followed up with us about our classes and grades and showed so much pride bragging to everyone she met about what each of her grandchildren were up to. To be honest, she was the model we all took after yielding two social workers and a registered nurse. She modeled the compassion for caring for people in her life as a Foster Mother and instilled the importance of the social services.

Much of our early adulthood was difficult for us as our Nanny and Grandpa moved out to Belleville and our visits were less often than we wanted. However, they thrived in Belleville and this brought us happiness. Nanny was known everywhere she went, walking in saying “Hi dear”, receiving top notch service as a result and always paying it forward. This is another influence we have taken on, making sure we are kind to everyone we meet.

Once they moved back to Scarborough, we started checking in on them and focusing our visits on making sure they were taken care of.Though our visits changed we still spent every free Saturday we had visiting Nanny in the nursing home. We switched roles, doting on her , worrying about her comfort and driving her crazy. Our Nanny remained witty and maintained her sense of humor, entertaining all of the staff. She remained strong making sure she did what she wanted on her own accord. She fought until the very end.

We love our Nanny more than we could ever express in words. Her optimism, confidence and strength lives on in us and we will continue to try and make her proud each day knowing she is watching over us. Our most powerful reminder that we will enjoy for years to come is the message in a song she used to play and sing to us. “Que Sera Sera, whatever will be will be.” We love you forever Nanny. With all our heart: Taryn, Amber and Shanna xoxo