Even though I don't remember great aunt Renee since I was around 8 or 9 when she passed away, I will always remember being given a pink poodle purse at the nursing home she was in when I visited her with my parents and sister.

Auntie Renie was a fun-loving lady! Whether it was wearing silly hats at Christmas or insisting that she really didn't like chocolate (as she took another bite) she was a joy. She truly loved life and everyone in it. We should all take notes. A smile can make someone's day, lending a helping hand eases someone else's burden. Renie was truly a loving Auntie, sister, mother and grandmother. She was a Lovey who loved to snuggle. It has been wonderful to have her in our lives. We should all take notes and follow in her example that the simple niceties can make the world of difference in someone else's day! We love and will miss you, Auntie Renie! Blow us a kiss every now and then - will ya!

We were visiting Lynne and Tony from the UK and were taken to see Auntie Renie. What a lovely lady she was. We spent a pleasant few hours in her company and we feel so glad to have met her.

So sorry to hear of Renie's passing.  When my mother moved to the third floor of Sunrise, Aurora, Renie was very welcoming.  Although they both had Alzheimer's they became fast friends walking the hallways together, holding hands. They were also neighbours staying in rooms adjacent to each other.  We also liked to see Renie when we visited Mom.  She used to make us laugh.  We missed her when she moved to Bradford Valley.  Please accept our condolenscences  for your loss. Gloria Hisey's family (Wayne and Lynne Tomlinson)

Renie:
I am happy to have known you for all the years I did
You left so many memories just like your sister Margie did
I hope you're both together now; looking down you'd see
 Just how much You meant to us 
I am sure we'd all agree 
You're not just missed in Canada, you're missed in England too 
My mother, friends and family will always think of you. 
Thank you Auntie Renie, for being in our lives 
You always made things brighter 
With your smile and deep blue eyes.
Ill come and see you when I can, to place a flower at your grave 
And I guess I'll have to remember, to NOT have a shave! 
Bye Renie, We will miss you
 ……I am sure you're rubbing the “Big Guy's” Beard right now
with a smile on your face!

Tony

So sorry to her about your loss.  Rene was very special to all of the Ansell family as well as all who knew her.

Tom & Colleen Austin

Adventures and Fond Memories with My Auntie Renie

One day I took Renie shopping with me to get some groceries. We were walking around the store and Renie, being herself, saw a man coming towards us. The man was looking quite serious and she called out to him with the words “smile”. He looked at her and just carried on walking. Renie turned to me and said, “why did that man not smile”. I said that he was probably having a bad day and that sometimes people have other things on their minds. Several minutes later, the same man was coming towards us in the aisle. He looked directly at Renie, stopped and said “Hi, how are you doing ?” and he had the biggest smile on his face. Renie's eyes lit up and she was absolutely delighted. I think the man must have heard what she had said and had given it some thought. That man made a difference in her day, just by giving out a single smile.

We were at another store and on the way out, there was a lady who was selling daffodils, just inside the doors. The lady had a table in front of her and was sitting behind on a bench. Renie stopped to talk and asked if she minded if she helped her sell the daffodils. Renie moved behind the table to sit down beside the lady. I said Renie, we've got to go, the lady is very busy. The lady then said, “it's OK, I'd love for her to help”. She moved over for Renie to sit down and they had a grand conversation for all of about 3 minutes. Renie then stood up and said “Thank You for letting me help” and off we went. That 3 minutes meant a lot to Renie at the time. I thank the lady for her time, patience and understanding.

On another shopping trip, we were at the checkouts. There was a teenage boy and girl in front of us. The boy leaned over to kiss his girlfriend. Renie caught this and said out loud, “I'd like one of those”. Well didn't the boy turn around and give Renie a great big kiss, right on the lips! I don't know who was shocked more, Renie, the cashier, the girlfriend or myself. I thanked the teenage boy for putting a brief sparkle in Renie's eyes. She loved men with whiskers and would often call out “Hi, Big Boy”.

Driving in the car with me, Renie would always look out the window and wave at everyone. In the beginning I didn't know how people would take her, but to my surprise, every single one would smile, laugh and wave back at her. I did have to caution her though to only do it when we were stopped at the lights. I didn't want her to cause an accident!

Trips to Sunrise were always a highlight. In the beginning, we spoke of when I was going to come and share a room with her when I got older and we were going to stay up late and have pillow fights. She was all for it. 

Renie loved to walk and walk and walk. She would sit down briefly for a few  seconds, then would say “Let's Go”. So off she'd go. I think our walks were mainly to tire me out. She just wanted to keep going. We'd call her the Energizer Rabbit.

Renie enjoyed the simple things. Soft fluffy animals, (whether real or not), children playing and beautiful flowers. The sound of laughter from anyone, would turn her head and she'd follow that sound. She lived in a world, which to her, was “lovely”. Everything in life was very precious and she always appreciated everything that was given to her. She had not a bad word to say about anyone or anything (really!). She never expected anything and just made do with whatever was given her, with never a complaint. From our visits to “Auntie Renie's House” to play Crokinole and have Tea with her when I was young, to all of our “adventures” as time past, she was an inspiration to me and to everyone who knew her. She had the bluest of eyes, which I will miss and the softest of hands. 

I want to take this time to thank all the caregivers at Bradford Valley and Sunrise of Aurora for their encouragement, love and support for Renie and our family and for all of her friends, new and old. She was very grateful and very happy. As Renie would always say, she was Blessed.

Renie's Motto: Live Life, Love Life.
And that is exactly what she did.


Lynne 
Love ya Darlin'.

OBITUARY

Irene Matilda Shannon Aspin

19 February, 1926 – 1 January, 2015

Thompson Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services