Veda Mae Lyons

On July 8th, at the Victoria General Hospital after a stroke, our Mom and Grandma quietly passed away in her ninetieth year, while holding the hand of our dear friend, Patricia Walmsley. Mom considered her a daughter, and we are grateful that she was there.

Veda is survived by her daughter and son (with Mom there was no “-in-law” added), Patricia and Stewart Fay. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Sam Fay and his wife, Lindsay Sawyer Fay, and Amelia Fay and her fiancée, John McGrath, along with many nieces and nephews in Canada and the U.S.A. She was predeceased by her husband and the love of her life, Philip, in 2011 and two still-born daughters in 1952 and 1953.

When Mom was born prematurely, she weighed three pounds and was not expected to survive. However, survive she did! She grew up on Atlantic Avenue and always considered herself as a “North End” girl, graduating from St. John's High School before going on to secretarial school. She was employed at Monarch Life until she was married to Philip in 1947. She then became a stay-at-home mom to raise her daughter, and returned to the workforce later in life as a school secretary at both Issac Newton Junior High School and Sisler High School.

Mom enjoyed knitting, movies, reading, bingo, talking to people, and she especially loved music. She was truly a sociable person who made friends easily. She was thrilled to have grandchildren, and was so proud of the accomplishments of all of her family, never passing an opportunity to tell friends and others about them.

For the last four and a half years, Mom lived at The Parkway assisted living residence. She was grateful to all of the staff...maintenance, cleaning, kitchen and administrative...who helped her on many occasions. She made many friends at The Parkway, but was especially close to Audrey Lay, her dinner table companion throughout her residence there.

With the help of Home Care, she was able to remain independent for longer than expected, thanks to Linda and Sarah, the co-ordinators, and the Home Care workers, Suhua, Phyllis, Buki, Chin, Olutoyin and all the others who provided help when needed.

Over the years, Mom received excellent medical care from her family physician, Dr. Tim Ross, and Drs. Munsammy and Cavers at the Victoria General Hospital. We also wish to thank all of the staff at “the Vic” who cared for her during her frequent stays.

A celebration of Mom's life will be held on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard.

Cremation has taken place, and a private inurnment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba would be appreciated. Please also consider visiting someone you haven't seen in a while...you never know how much it might be appreciated.

Love you lots, Mom and Grandma!