Reeta Hemy

HEMY, Reeta May (Walsh) July 30, 1920 - Peacefully on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at the Sault Area Hospital. Beloved wife of the late Laurence Hemy (May 16, 1996). Dear mother of Ron (Marsha) and Bill (Susan). Grandmother of Andrew (Mandy) and Leslie. Sadly missed by her faithful companion Molly, the cat. Reeta was a 70 year member of the Flora Rebekah Lodge. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Friday, August 30, 2013 from 7 to 9 pm. Funeral service from the chapel on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 10 am. Rev. Peter Smyth officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to the Humane Society, Holy Trinity Anglican Church or the charity of choice would be appreciated.

We would like to thank the all the doctors, nurses and staff on 300C as well as the Red Cross and P.S.W.’s for their care and compassion.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com

Eulogy For Reeta Hemy

Reeta May Hemy

July 30, 1920 - August 28, 2013

We are here to celebrate the life of Reeta Hemy. As much as we are saddened and feel an unexplainable void in our souls, we need to dwell on the love for her family and the caring wife and mother she was.

Reeta was born in Sault Ste Marie and later worked for the Algoma Central Railway before marrying Laurence Hemy. She raised her two boys, Ron and Bill, and later returned to work for the Sault Ste Marie Board of Education as a secretary.

As most of us all know Reeta was an excellent baker and would delight all of us with her treats. But most importantly she was “Mom” She was the Mom who was always there to help, fix your clothes, type essays, care for us when we were sick, offer good advice, and give us hell when we deserved it, but most importantly she Loved us.

Her wish was to stay as independent as possible, which she did. She drove until she was 90 and she was able to live in her home until near the end of her life with family help and a wonderful group of caring Personal Services Workers. Her wish was to be in her home and she did have that granted.

Mom enjoyed her Rebecca Lodge and Church activities as she accepted many roles within these groups and of course her companion, Molly.

I could tell you countless stories, some recent, some not so recent....... but each one of us has our own stories and memories about Reeta. Remember them, cherish them, and hold them dear to your heart.

Mom, so long until we meet again.

In our hearts we see you still,

even though you’re miles away.

Invisible to our eyes,

but always in our thoughts.

We love and miss you.

Reeta Hemy

July 30, 1920 - August 28, 2013

Reeta was born to Bill and Beatrice Walsh on July 30, 1920 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Bill was a long time conductor on the Algoma Central Railway and Beatrice was a seamstress and homemaker. The family home was located at 145 Albert Street, West and was similar in style to contractor and relative Bill Brechin’s home just a few doors east, toward Gore Street.

“Bill” William Frederick Walsh was born June 24, 1881 in Cumberland Ontario and Maude Beatrice Hill was born November 30, 1884 in Cobden, Ontario.

Reeta had an older sister Lois Eileen Walsh, who was born on Easter Day, March 31, 1918 in Franz Ontario. Lois died tragically in a house fire at the home of a friend in 1932 at the age of 14.

Reeta had a younger brother William Henry Walsh, who was born on October 27, 1925 in Sault Ste. Marie. He died at the young age of 21 while skating at the Pullar Stadium in Sault Michigan, of heart seizure on March 19, 1947. He had been skating with Reeta when he suddenly crumbled to the ice and passed away. Bill was very active at the YMCA, the boat club, an avid motorcycle rider and an electrician at Algoma Steel

Reeta married Laurence Hemy on June 5, 1948 at St. Luke’s Cathedral one o’clock, with a reception at the Church hall and later at 145 Albert Street West. Reeta and Laurence resided at 175 Queen Street, Sault Ste. Marie, and later built their home at 55 Bellevue Ave in 1951.

Reeta and Laurence had two boys, Bill (1949) and Ron (1954). Both were born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie. Bill moved to Alberta to work in the oil industry as an engineer and Ron worked in Sault Ste. Marie as a high school teacher.

Reeta has two grandchildren, Andrew (Mandy) and Leslie who reside in Alberta.

During Reeta’s earlier years she was active in tennis, bowling, skiing, skating, young people’s church groups, young people’s camping, and St. John’s Church. Reeta won the Algoma Central Railway Junior Ladies Tennis Singles in 1938.

Reeta went to King Edward and Campbell Schools for her elementary school years, starting kindergarten in 1925. Reeta attended Sault Collegiate Institute and later took a Special One Year Commercial Course at Sault Technical Institute in 1938, with her receiving Honours Standing. It seems that Reeta excelled in all of her classes.

Reeta was an active member of the Flora Rebekah lodge, and was the longest member having received her 70-year jewel in May of 2010. She held many positions within the lodge and was a Past Noble Grand. Always active in the lodge events participating in, teas, community support fund raisers, Soogoma workshop, children’s Christmas Parties, lodge dinners, conventions, assistive devices loan cupboard, meat pie making, bingo night, and the like.

Reeta was also busy with many interests in the Anglican Church. Her interests started as a young girl when she attended St. John’s Church at the corner of John and Albert Street. She was involved in youth groups, camping and ACW groups. She later was involved All Saints Church on McNabb Street and Holy Trinity church on Northern Ave.

Reeta enjoyed going to dinner theater, playing cards, ice skating shows, Arturo’s Restaurant, and going out for lunch with her friends and lodge members. She had many friends from the various activities she was involved with. Some included: Emily and Jim Willert, Dick and Mary Robinson, Harry and Vera Rainbird, Norm and Edith Green(Ovens), Lloyd and Marg Cunningham, Ward and Amanda Pinnell, Jack and Connie Heye, Gerry and Betty Ouellette, Jim and Marg Snyder, Bill and Maryon Brechin, Zillah Bowers, Ken and Dot Burrows, D.A. and Vicki Dunlop, Mabel Lewis ... and many others.

Reeta was an excellent baker and was famous for her butter tarts. But it did not stop there. Christmas dinners were always a real feast for all. She made Grandma Hemy’s Christmas Cake for all to enjoy, as it was a real treat and a labour of love. Christmas always led to a flurry of baked goods and cookies and loaves. She always helped by baking for the lodge and school bake sales.

Reeta worked in the office for the Algoma Central Railway and later worked for the Sault Ste. Marie Board of Education starting in 1966. She worked at many schools including King George School, Campbell School, King Edward School, Anna McCrea School and Eastview. She retired in June of 1983.

Reeta and Laurence traveled for lodge conventions and to places like England, Wales, and Ireland, Calgary and Lloydminster. Later she went on cruises to The Caribbean and the Eastern Seaboard, and Canada’s west coast with Emily Willert.

Molly was Reeta’s companion pet whom she brought her home November 16, 2003. Molly will now reside with Ron and Marsha and Jaws. Previous to Molly, there were many cats as family members, Jiggs, Becky, Dinky, Snoopy and other pets during earlier years.

Final services were held for Reeta at the Arthur Funeral Home with a visitation on Friday, August 30, 2013, and Funeral from the Chapel Saturday, August 31, 2013, with a grave side interment at Greenwood Cemetery, West Section. Services were conducted by Reverend Peter Smyth from Holy Trinity Church who visited Reeta regularly and came often to the Sault Area Hospital to visit.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

* * * * * * * * * *

HEMY, Reeta May (Walsh) July 30, 1920 - Peacefully on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at the Sault Area Hospital. Beloved wife of the late Laurence Hemy (May 16, 1996). Dear mother of Ron (Marsha) and Bill (Susan). Grandmother of Andrew (Mandy) and Leslie. Sadly missed by her faithful companion Molly, the cat. Reeta was a 70 year member of the Flora Rebekah Lodge. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Friday, August 30, 2013 from 7 to 9 pm. Funeral service from the chapel on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 10 am. Rev. Peter Smyth officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to the Humane Society, Holy Trinity Anglican Church or the charity of choice would be appreciated.

We would like to thank the all the doctors, nurses and staff on 300C as well as the Red Cross and P.S.W.’s for their care and compassion.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com