Daphne Ophelia Bolden

Daphne Ophelia Bolden née Clement RN, April 7, 1933 - April 16, 2022 On Saturday, April 16, 2022, our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Daphne Ophelia Bolden, RN (affectionately known to her family and friends as Daph), passed away peacefully with family at her side. In the years preceding her death, she was supported by her family and caretakers at Extendicare Bayview. Daphne was the daughter of Geraldine Priddee (nee Clement) and Joseph Priddee, sister to James Clement, Daniel Priddee , and Norm Reeves, all predeceased to her. She is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years, Courtney MacDonald Bolden, their children, David Bolden (Antoinette) and Donna-Lee Bolden Kerr (Shervington); much loved grandchildren, Cameron Bolden, Kyla Bolden and Jazzmin Kerr.

Born and raised in Barbados, ever the trailblazer, Daphne immigrated to Sudbury, ON to start on her journey to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in 1957. She was soon joined by Courtney Bolden in 1959 where they married on August 22, 1959. Upon receiving her RNA they moved to Toronto, where she continued to pursue her nursing career amidst raising a growing family. Courtney cherishes how mom was such a fun-loving wife. As a couple they complimented each other and shared a love of entertaining and hosting parties with Courtney being the chef and Daphne the party coordinator. Together they raised David and Donna-Lee and instilled in them a commitment to excellence, joy of life and the principle of standing up for others and what you believe in.

Guided by an effervescent spirit, outgoing personality, and love of life Daphne was a burning light that touched everyone wherever she went. Forever making new friends, the circle of people she touched and cared for seemed to constantly expand. Daphne was a loving and fun person to be around. Fiercely protective of her family and friends she would not hesitate to stand up for those she loved. Instrumental in helping many of her family members to emigrate to Canada, she always made sure everyone felt included and would not hesitate to listen and offer warm words of understanding and wisdom when needed.

She graduated with her Registered Nurse designation from the Quo Vadis School of Nursing with the Class of 74, coincidentally the last graduating class of that school before being absorbed into Humber College. As an RN her commitment to putting the patient’s needs first and genuine love for people resulted in her having patients that she formed lasting relationships. It was because of her warmness that she made friends with a prominent developer, which led to her and her husband buying their home. Always one to want to improve she went on to specialize where she became a Recovery Room RN which was the position she held when she retired.

Everyone who knew Daphne would tell you that she loved travel, dancing and music and the combination of the three, even better accompanied with exuberant laughter. Her adventurous spirit had her travel extensively to Europe, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Anytime was a good time to travel and once retired she could often be found in Bermuda with her son David and his family, who she took every opportunity to spend time with. She also loved to travel to London with her good friend Ruth where they would travel the Continent together. Her final trip was with her close cousins Anne, Wendy, Pat, Harriet and family who ensured that she had an outstanding time. A lover of parties and dancing she was often the life of the party and definitely passed this on to her daughter, Donna-Lee and her daughter’s close network of friends. To see Donna-Lee enjoy a party is to see Daphne and when the two were on the dance floor together all eyes were on them, and all others paled in comparison.

Her greatest joy was being a mother only to be eclipsed when she became a grandmother. As a mother she was fiercely protective of her children and loved them with a depth of passion that could not be measured. Whatever they were doing she was supportive of their endeavors and found ways to ensure their success. This extended to her daughter in law and son in law as well, who each had a deep and close relationship with her. With her grands her joy and excitement over them was boundless. You would have thought she was a professional photographer as the montage of pictures that she took when visiting her grands was endless. Some of her greatest shots were the candids that she took that we are still finding to this day. For Daphne, each child and grandchild she cherished as an individual and she poured endless love on them through hugs, kisses, play and endless conversations, infused with laughter.

Mom, you are the glue that held the family together and we are thankful for the unconditional love, time and support you poured into all of us. We love her, miss her but are forever better for having her in our lives. Daphne will live on eternally through how she impacted and helped shape each and every one of us, not just her family but everyone she touched, and all of us are better humans because of her.

Mom, we love you forever and thank you. We will miss you dearly but are comforted by the countless cherished memories we forever will have of you.