Verna Minerva Tandan

Daughter of Cassandra and Eustace Blake of Morant Bay Jamaica where she grew up with her brother Raymond and sisters Nadine and Bette.

Verna was the beloved wife of Jagroop (Jaggi) Tandan to whom she was married for 63 years. She was the loving mother of Ved (Susan) and Tara (Jonathan), "Grandma Verna" to Jordan, Nathan, Erin and Jasmine, "Grandma" to Lucas, Tessa and Katie and "Aunty Verna" to all of her extended family.

She came to Canada in 1954 to attend Queens University where she receive a BA in History, French and English. She then attended McGill University and completed a Bachelor of Library Science. She continued her education at McMaster University where she received a Masters in English. She went on to complete a Bachelor of Education at the University of Toronto. She spent her career touching the lives of countless students in Hamilton through her work as a beloved high school english teacher most recently at Westmount SS and Sir Allan MacNab SS. Even in the past few years, decades after retirement she would frequently be approached by former students who would greet her remembering her fondly as as a favourite teacher. She was an avid reader with a photographic memory, who often had 2-3 books on the go simultaneously. She loved to walk. Even in her late eighties she walked/jogged on the Bruce trail and up and down the Chedoke stairs every day. Verna loved to travel and went on many happy trips with her family, throughout Canada, the US, Europe and India. She loved listening to classical music. She is remembered as an intellectual who often engaged in lively conversations with friends and family. She was a calming influence for all around her.

Resting at Cresmount Funeral Home, Fennell Chapel, 322 Fennell Avenue East, Hamilton for visitation on Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 6-9 p.m. Cremation to follow. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Society would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences can be made at www.cresmountfennellchapel.com.