Memories of Ethel Joan Severn

In memory of

Ethel Joan Severn

Mississauga, ON, Canada

October 2, 1922 - January 18, 2021

Oct 2, 1922 - Jan 18, 2021

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Sharon Vanacore

1975, Toronto, ON, Canada

How I like to remember Auntie Joan - beautiful and glamorous

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Sharon Vanacore

Auntie Joan was the most beautiful person, both inside and out. She radiated happiness, was generous, funny, wise, loyal and caring - all the qualities of my favourite Aunt. Loved and respected by the whole family, it was always a red letter day, when we’d see that familiar handwriting on a blue airmail letter, arrive on the mat and those exciting transatlantic phone calls at Christmas / birthdays. I’m talking about the 60’s&70’s pre Skype! She was always so good at staying in touch. The first time we visited her in Canada, I was 10 years old, wowed by her glamour and the beautiful apartment she shared with Uncle Harold on Bloor St. Having stayed with her for 3 weeks during that holiday, she and I established a very close lifelong bond. She also became my style icon, I thought she looked particularly beautiful in the large fur hat that framed her lovely face. Always so thoughtful, Auntie would, out of the blue, send me a doll. The first one I remember, was a little Russian man from Expo 67 in Toronto, I still have him. There followed many from Auntie and Uncle’s exotic travels, I was particularly in awe of a Portuguese lady from their trip to Lisbon, she seemed to be wearing a trillion different cotton petticoats and huge earrings, so pretty. Perhaps my favourite doll was “Peggy” oddly named by my Dad, Joan’s brother. She was an Eskimo baby, in traditional dress, with the cutest face. The dolls sent by Auntie Joan inspired me to learn about other cultures and places around the World. The gifting of dolls continued with my daughter and I think the most celebrated doll ever in my family (she remains a favourite of my 2 grandsons), is....specially chosen by Auntie Joan “Elvira Davina”, a Cabbage Patch doll like no other. My daughter adored her and now she sits, prized position on the top shelf of the playroom, with her wry little smile, observing all the other toys that come and go. I have so much to love and to thank you for Auntie Joan, sitting here today, as I reminisce about the dolls and all the other gifts. (I’m also marvelling about your incredible talent for knitting spectacular baby shawls whenever a new infant joined our large family). I’m surrounded by memories of you Auntie Joan, some physical and some just in my head - so much laughter, fun, love and generosity of spirit, each and every one, has richly enhanced my own life. You will remain forever in my heart, my inspiration and the best Auntie ever. I love you ❤️

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Wayne Ogilvie

Henry Ogilvie

Today we mourn the loss of a very dear friend. Words cannot adequately convey and express the feelings of sorrow that we all feel and share. To Roy, Rosalee, Linda Ted and family, please accept our deepest sympathy and heart felt condolences. Our family shares in your loss and grief.

How does one condense four decades of friendship and genuine love into a few sentences?

It is said that Relationship is one of God’s greatest blessings to mankind.

We, have been truly blessed!

Nearly forty years ago we had the privilege of meeting Joan and her late husband Harold, they were neighbours who lived two doors away from us.

Over the years, we developed a close relationship which blossomed into a life long personal friendship: one that was built on trust, love and mutual respect. What a beautiful deep and lasting friendship it has been! One that has stood the test of time and has left us with so many beautiful and precious memories.

Joan adored her family and honoured her friends. She was one of the most wonderful human beings my family and I have had the privilege and pleasure of knowing, and for that we are eternally grateful. She was like family to us. She saw the goodness in others, found reasons to praise them, made them laugh and laughed with them. She found reasons to share her love with so many. She was truly special and made others feel the same. She was kind, generous, considerate and thoughtful – even mischievous and stubborn at times.

She touched our lives and others, in so many different ways. She brought endless joy, laughter and empathy to the hearts of all whose path she crossed.

As a young woman she served as a member of the Women’s Royal Naval Service of the United Kingdom. Closer to home, she was a valued employee and distinguished fashion consultant with Holt Renfrew until her retirement.

She served for many years as a volunteer at the Mississauga senior centre and area hospitals, she was loved and admired by her friends at St. John Anglican Church; the border community and her immediate neighbourhood. She was truly an ambassador of goodwill. One could not help but to feel a deep sense of gratitude, admiration and love for her.

She was gracious in everything she did, she was imaginative and creative – as evidenced by her many fine works of art, her love of nature and her attention to details, from the meticulous home she kept, to her beautiful manicured garden, her sense of fashion, style and grace, all of which was truly a reflection of her charming character.

She was a classy lady with exquisite taste and a delightful personality. She loved to entertain and be entertained, she was always young at heart, vibrant and full of vigour, with a great sense of humour. She embraced life to the fullest, even as her health declined.

And yet with all of those wonderful qualities, she remained humble at heart and grounded in her faith, as she prepared herself spiritually, to meet her Maker and her dear departed husband Harold. What an amazing life! A life lived to the fullest.

It is said that “the happinesses of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts” —- That was her mantra.

“Death may leave us with a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves us with memories no one can steal.”

Her friendship and love have been such an indescribable blessing to us.

We will cherish her memory as long as we live. We will miss her dearly, and will mourn her loss, but not hopelessly, because we will meet again in Heaven, where there will be no sickness, no sorrow, no suffering or pain.

— Rest In Peace my beloved Joanie. — A life well lived.

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Ethel Joan Severn

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