Mollie Bawden

Ninety-one years ago, on February 18th, 1933, in a small village in Yorkshire, England, Mollie Thornes entered the world. Proud parents were Shep and Nellie Thornes. She had a much loved older brother Derek who doted on her, he was twelve when she was born. Three years later a little sister, Barbara came along to complete the family. Her father left when she was five, and never returned. WWII began when Mollie was still a little girl, and it changed her life. Her brother enlisted, and though he came back he had sustained a shrapnel injury that eventually cut his life short. She did well in school and earned a scholarship to go to university. She was very proud of this accomplishment, but instead of being able to fulfill her dream to become a librarian, circumstances dictated that she start working at sixteen to help support her family. Times were tough after the war in England.

She talked of how when she was twelve an annoying little boy, Dennis Bawden, sat behind her in church and pulled her pigtails and generally tormented her. Almost ten years later, on June 19th, 1955, they were married. She spoke years later of how they had so much in common, he was a scout leader, and she a cub leader, both loved camping and hiking, and both had a dream to one day emigrate to Canada. Her mum, Nellie, was quite taken with him, and approved the match. They bought a little stone Victorian row house and settled down to raise a family once he finished his two years conscription in the army that was required of young men at that time. They welcomed Karen Judith Bawden into the world in September of 1956, and two years later, twins Diane Elaine and Lynne Christine on April 18th of 1959. Lynne Christine sadly passed away at ten days old.

They raised their girls and worked hard to get ahead. In 1963 they moved their little family to Meltham, and in 1966 took the biggest, bravest step of their young lives and emigrated to Toronto, Canada. Coming from a small town to a big city was a big adjustment, learning to drive on the 401 was especially challenging for Mollie. Over the next few years they moved a few times and ended up settling in Hamilton. They made new friends, raised their family, camping, canoeing and instilling a love of nature in their daughters. They travelled all over Ontario and took annual trips to many beautiful destinations across Canada. They saved their money to go towards their long held dream of retiring to Huntsville. The years flew by and in 1992 they retired and made the big move, buying a lovely home where they spent the next 23 years. They adored their four grandchildren, Lauren, Jenna, Melissa and Bradley and eventually their eight great-grandchildren and passed onto them the same love of camping they had blessed their daughters with. Due to health concerns they moved back to Hamilton in 2014 and moved into Deer View Residence a few miles away from their first home on Stonechurch Rd in Hamilton, eventually, as their health deteriorated, they moved to Grace Villa. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society.

In keeping with Mollie’s wishes cremation has taken place and interment will take place at White Chapel Memorial Gardens next to the love of her life, Dennis.

Online condolences can be left at cresmountfennelchapel.com