Lois Gwendolyn Faulkner

Sept 25 1924 – October 5 2016

A loving, gentle mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Lois Faulkner passed away peacefully at The Glebe Centre in Ottawa, on October 5, 2016 at age 92. Predeceased by her beloved Irish husband Seamus and adored by him throughout their 58 year marriage.

A cherished matriarch of 62. Mother to Jimmy (Carolyn), Mary Jane (Michael), Brian (Carmel), Michael (Marilyn), Kathleen (Marc), Maureen and Patrick.

Grandmother to Sean (Ann-Marie), Terri (Scott), Colleen (Mike), Danny (Maggie), Portia (Eric), Jason (Jen), Matthew (Melissa), Brendan (Val), Jessica (Luke), Laura, Seamus, David, Mathieu, William and Emily. Great-grandmother to Andrew (Lisa), Katie, Eric, Megan, Matthew, Kevin, Hannah, Tyler, Owen, Finn, Abby, Emma, Alexa, Torin, Teia, Connor, Liam, Emma, Chloe, Owen, Tristan, Colin, Savannah, Lilah Mae and Gillian.

She made us all feel like we were her favourite.

Raised in Kincardine by Edna and Russel McGaw, Lois had an idyllic childhood and shared loving relationships with sister Dorothy (Jack) and brother Bill (Eileen) who all predeceased her. An avid reader throughout her life, she was also an accomplished seamstress and artist in her early years. Mom was modest, gracious, kind and adventurous. A war bride, she crossed the Atlantic Ocean, baby in tow, on a tramp steamer, as it maneuvered its way through enemy territory. Not even war could come between Lois and her darling Seamus. In later years, Lois and her sister Dorothy travelled extensively throughout the British Isles, identical suitcases and wardrobes in hand. Ireland beckoned her. She will be greatly mourned in Derry, Dad’s birthplace, by his sister Ena and her daughter Anne (Brendan).

Her first job was as a teller in a bank and later she worked in a munitions factory in support of the war effort. But her true life’s work was about being present, supportive and loving to her family and friends. There was no better listener. Lois was a gift to the world.

Thanks to the staff at Bridlewood Retirement Residence for 13 years of care and friendship, and the staff of The Glebe Centre, in particular Dr. Schneider, for their compassion and support in the last year of her life. There will be a private family service. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Society would be appreciated. Random acts of kindness would also honour Lois’s legacy.