Mrs Theresa Campbell

February 1- 1926 – February 14, 2014

Peacefully in her sleep, Theresa Campbell finished the last chapter in her book of life at Tuxedo Villa Nursing Home, a week after celebrating her 88th birthday.

Tess was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, the only child to Alexander and Annie Bella Burnett. She lived a life as an adventurer, taking a variety of interests including travel, music, theatre and the arts, learning French and German along the way. She was a bit of a pioneer, becoming one of the first of only six women to be hired to sell telephones in Great Britain, compared to over two hundred men. She purchased her own car and laughed when she was questioned by a policeman in Northern Scotland as to whether she had stolen it, because it was rare for a woman to have a car up there at the time. She also worked as a telegraphist for the post office.

Following the death of her father, Tess and her mother uprooted and came to Canada. It was the end of her 1st major life chapter and the beginning her 2nd. She was 32 when she met and married her husband, our grandfather, who had been widowed a few years before, and immediately inherited two grown sons, a teenage daughter, and a motley crew of grandchildren who were added to along the way. Tess was a loving and supportive wife to Maurice as they ran M.M. Campbell Furniture for many years. They were fortunate to be able to take many trips together, and enjoyed many summers at Nestor Falls and Clear Lake Resorts, making lifelong friends along the way.

In 1999, Tess was widowed, and chapter 3 began. She was often found shopping at Polo Park, and even with her walker, she was hard to keep up with. Tess was heavily involved in genealogy for many years, and at 80 years old, found the computer a wonderful new tool. She fell in love with train travel and made numerous Via Rail trips to the West Coast. Tess was fond of hats of all types and seldom seen without a fashionably, seasonal head cover. As her health began to fail and she finally slowed down, she settled into a pleasant life at Sturgeon House, then The Rosewood, Concordia Hospital, and finally to Tuxedo Villa (thanks to all those facilities and staff for their caring and friendships).

Grandma (Tess) gave great advice when she described life as a book. Write new chapters, visit past ones on occasion, but never dwell on, or regret them, for they are finished and can’t be changed, and look for new adventures to add to the future chapters. She was sharp as a tack, had a great sense of humour, took great pride in her appearance, did not mince words, and loved her inherited family.

Tess was predeceased by her parents, husband Maurice, stepsons Mar and Wes. She is survived by her daughter Winona and husband John Boyle, daughter-in-law Betty Hazen, a number of grandchildren, their spouses, great grandchildren their spouses and significant others, a fresh generation of great great grandchildren and numerous friends and acquaintances.

According to her wishes, a private family service was held.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to a charity of one’s choice may be made.

P.S. Grandma, your book is finished, and it was a great ready. Hopefully we can all do you justice as we write our own sequels.