Penny Jane Thompson Burmaster

BURMASTER, Penny Jane – Penny went home to Glory on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at the Sault Area Hospital at the age of 64. She left us peacefully and we are going to dearly miss her. She was the best wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. Cherished wife of Ted for 43 years. Much loved mother of Ben (Tanya) and Mark (Nichola). Proud Grandma of Samuel, Addison, Violet, Robin, Ruby and Richard. Daughter of the late Cecil and Lorna Thompson. Dear sister of the late Linda Sloss (late Fred), Rae Cressman (Don), Beth Tulloch (Bob) and Anne Avery (Keith). Sister-in-law of Sharon Starratt (Paul), Gerry Burmaster (Grace), Rob Burmaster (Debbie) and Steve Burmaster (Tracy). Special aunt of 16 nieces and nephews and great aunt of 26. She was a friend to all and dearly loved you with all of her heart. Thank you for your love and prayers. For 30 years Penny owned Penny’s Pets. Special thanks to the SAH Emergency and ICU Doctors and Nurses. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Sunday, September 11, 2016 from 5 – 8 pm. Funeral service to be held at Elim Pentecostal Church on Monday, September 12, 2016 at 11 am. Pastor Benny Kjiersdam officiating. Interment Prince Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions to the Elim Pentecostal Church Building Fund would be appreciated by the family.

Celebration of Life for

Penny Jane Burmaster

Tribute

My name is Jayne Hudson. I have traveled from Cornwallis, Nova Scotia to celebrate Penny's life.

I have been asked to share with you today my personal relationship with Penny and what she meant to me. I told Ted that God would give me the strength to give her this final gift.

Penny warmly introduced herslf to me here at Elim fifteen years ago, when I was 22. Immediately, we connected. She became my spiritual mom and best friend. She opened up her heart and home to me and many others.

This one time we went out on the boat. Ted and Penny both jumped in; I'm not a swimmer, so I eased myself into the water to join them. We had fun! Then as i climbed back into the boat, Penny shared a grin with Ted. I asked what the grin was all about. Penny said we just saw your bare bum through your bathing suit. It had rotted out, I was embarassed to say the least.

Penny mentored and led me on my journey to having that special relationship with God. She helped me through the most difficult times in my adult life, even lending me her car for five months. A pastor once told me thta God gave us two ears and only one tongue for a reason. Penny made the time to listen and she did this frequently. She had used her ears for me so much that I often wondered if I was the cause for her being deaf in one ear.

Penny had a compassionate, understanding servant's heart. She was honest and gave 100% to our friendship. She was there for me through my divorce, bankruptcy, marriage, babies and the list goes on. She would often say, “I really don't know what to say as I have never gone through what you are experiencing, so lets just ask God to help us through this together, shall we?” Sometimes when I cried she would sing to me.

Penny was a mother to me when I needed her to be, and a friend when I didn't want her to be bossy in telling what to do. We were open and respected one another.

Just as it states in Hebrews 13:5,

Be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

Penny was content with what she had. It was often difficult to get her to go shopping. I had to tell her that I had saved my money to go and that our mall is about an hours drive away. We enjoyed one another's company as we chatted while trying clothes on. Even though she'd go home with less bags than I, it was a good day!

Penny's sudden death has been difficult as I did not get to say good bye. Each one of here today will grieve in our unique way.

John 16:30 states,

I tell the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

God was gracious in giving me this beautiful friend and I know that I will grieve; there will be days of sunshine and days of storms.

I love you lots Penny and I know that you are proud of me as I am you. It has been a great honour to have known you. Your legacy will live on.

Lovingly,

~your adopted daughter

Jayne