2016, Montreal, QC, Canada
Touring my home town with Lois
— with
Lois & Gina
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So sorry to hear about Lois’ passing. We think of your family often. When all of our children were younger we spent a lot of time together. Your Mother was a special lady!
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When the girls were young, they regularly watched the final show in the movie Sing. They loved singing and dancing with the characters so my mom bought them Johnny (gorilla) and Meena (elephant) stuffies. They loved them.
We recently went to see Sing II in theatre (before cinemas closed) armed and ready with those stuffies. It was an important one for us to see as I know my mom would have made a point to having an outing to see it with them.
I'm not here to share Sing II spoilers, but the movie made me think of this clip and immediately I heard the sound of my mom unable to control her giggle. She was always a sucker for awkward outbursts of song or dance.
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Lois hired me more than 19 years ago. She was more than my supervisor for several of those years. Lois was my confident and friend. She shared her love for gardening with me, including some of her dearly loved flowers. I have embraced her love for gardening and think of her often when I am fussing over my flowers.
Lois gifted me with a garden angel statue some time after her brother had passed away. We would have many private chats in her office when she was grieving. This sweet angel has a very special place in my garden today.
Lois was small, but mighty and was incredibly passionate for children and her work in child welfare. She believed in, encouraged and mentored many workers new to the profession. She would always say that "child welfare is not a profession for the faint of heart". Lois had incredible compassion and empathy for frontline workers, who faced the daily challenges of child welfare. She was quick to acknowledge the great work of her team.
Lois fought the good fight and has shown us all what real strength is all about.
Rest easy my fearless leader. <3
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- In the short time I worked at Cobourg CAS Lois and I shared a wicked sense of humour, and had many conversations about her adoption, her Dad and Mom and her love for her brother Jimmy, and of course her wonderful children. She honoured me deeply by “adopting” me. Really! From then on I was simply “MA”. to her. She was our daughter Lisa’s Big SISTER and became Auntie to Lisa’s 2 adopted daughters, born in China. There was a special bond she shared with Kaileigh and Sienna as she said, “we were throwaway children.” I will never forget her love and passion for the children in her care, her co-workers, her friends and above all, Graham, Jessica, Nick, and her grand girls and me, her MA.
Tiny in stature. All of us who know her and love her have been blest. Her strength and courage in “fighting the good fight” through overwhelming challenges. A powerhouse personality worthy of emulation. Loving and wise to the end of her journey. Never to be forgotten. I will miss her
Love, MA
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2019, Victoria Hall, King Street West, Cobourg, ON, Canada
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It was in 2000 that I interviewed for an open position at CAS Cobourg. One of my first contacts was with Louis at the interview. It was a different kind of interview but something went okay because Louis hired me. I remained in my position until I retired. During my time at CAS I always had great respect for Louis. She was a wealth of knowledge and her door was open. Louis genuinely cared -was a wonderful supervisor but more a wonderful human being. May you Rest In Peace Louis !
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Sincere condolences to all of you on behalf of Karissa’s family . Roddy, Rondel , Karen and Michelle.
May her soul Rest In Peace .
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Lois was a wonderful listener. She “heard” me. We shared mutual kindnesses. She drove from Canada to attend our mother’s funeral. She FaceTimed me when I visited our family. She felt like the sister and family I always wanted. I know she felt that way about me, too. She trusted me enough to tell me how she felt, deeply. She told me when she decided to not receive further treatments and processed her emotions and trusted I would hear her. I trusted her authenticity and honesty. She could tell me the truth and I could be frank with her, knowing she wouldn’t take my comments as judgmental or dismissive. We validated each other. We liked similar things. We shared our love and conflicted feelings about our adoption. I could confide in her as she could, with me. I loved her and miss her very much. I hear her words in my mind, to keep me grounded in acceptance.
In response to "What act of kindness did you witness from Lois?"
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Lois was relentlessly positive no matter what the circumstances. She displayed incredible person strength and singular honesty while coping with the horrific consequences of her diagnosis. If I ever receive a terminal diagnosis Lois' forthright and unrelenting positive example will be a source of strength for me. She was small of stature but a tower of strength.
In response to "What did you learn from Lois?"
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1985, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Sweet picture of Lois and Graham paying us a visit to let us know Jessica was on the way😊
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2018, Leelanau Peninsula, Leelanau Township, MI, USA
Lois, forever in our hearts!
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Our deepest sympathies to all of her family. In the short time we knew Lois she always amazed me with her strength and positivity. Wish we could have had more time to make memories. A wonderful caring woman! Rest now. Nancy & Stu (MacLarens Landing Neighbours)
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2019, Hilton Head Island, SC, USA
This trip to Hilton Head was the last time I was able to see Lois in person. We all had a great time. I miss her so much.
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