Obituary for Edna May Fraser (Thompson)
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our dear mother Edna, at May Court Hospice, with family by her side, on Thursday, February 11, 2021, at the age of 91 years.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1929, Edna May Thompson was the beloved wife of the late Donald Fraser. Edna’s family returned to Canada, when she was two years old and settled in Ottawa. Edna grew up in a house that’s still standing today, built by her father, Selby, and her brother, Reg, in the Rockcliffe Annex (Manor Park). Edna attended Rockcliffe Public School, and graduated from the High School of Commerce (now Glebe Collegiate) just before the war ended. It was during this time that Edna met the true love of her life, Donald Fraser, "the greatest bag pipe player this side of heaven!". In 1951, Edna survived her three year battle with Tuberculosis. Edna and Donald were married in St. Giles Presbyterian Church, the Cameron Highlanders' Home-Church, in 1954, and moved into their house on Second Avenue. Together, she and Don raised a family of four, two boys and two girls, until Don’s sudden death in 1986. Edna selflessly devoted her life to her family, her church, and her community. She was a very wise and resourceful person, with many talents: knitting, crocheting, cake decorating, drawing, painting, craft work, gardening, and baking, to mention a few. She was especially known for her Scottish shortbread at Christmas time. With her artistic creativity and beautiful gardens; non-judgemental and accepting ways; unconditional love, support, and guidance Edna inspired many.
Her love for family, friends, and pets; her love of music, and gardening never left her. Edna’s generosity, her quick wit and lovely laugh; her gracious, gentle manner; her love of life, and her big, kind heart still remained as her dementia took over. Edna will always be remembered for not least of all her inherent kindness, her heartwarming smile and her love of life.
She was predeceased by her brother Reg Thompson (Jean), her sister Joan Voller (Keith) and her parents Selby “Tommy” Thompson and Clara Slack.
Loving mother of David (Patricia Speers), Jamie (Donna Lamoureux), Christine (Charles Dulude) and Laurie. Devoted grandmother to Jason, Kate, Michael, Andrew and Evan. Great-grandmother to Ashlee, Brydan, Jordan, Sebastian and Maliyah. Great-great-grandmother to Matteo and Xavier. Edna will be sadly missed by all her nieces, nephews and all who knew her.
Edna loved her pets, and was known for her everlasting support for animal welfare and nature conservation.
The Dementia Adult Day Program, was invaluable to improving the quality of Edna’s life, in her final years. Edna really enjoyed and anticipated every day she got to spend with them, filling a void brought on by dementia. By providing a safe and happy place, and maintaining Edna’s sense of purpose, independence and dignity; our family is forever grateful to the caring and compassionate staff, of Abbotsford House at the Glebe Centre.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Abbotsford at the Glebe Centre - Dementia Adult Day Program, or to the Ottawa Humane Society.
Edna is dearly missed, and will live in our hearts and cherished memories, always and forever.
A Funeral Service will be held at St. Giles Presbyterian Church, 729 Bank Street (elevator accessible from the 181 First Avenue entrance), Saturday March 6th, 2021, 10:30am, after a private family visitation from 9:45 - 10:15am. Due to Covid 19 number restrictions, the service will be by invite only. Consult web site links for their Virtual Funeral Services www.hpmcgarry.ca , and, or, stgilesottawa.org
Livestream Link for Edna Fraser's Funeral Service
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our dear mother, and closest friend, Edna May Fraser (nee Thompson), on Thursday, February 11, 2021, at the age of 91.
Mom was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1929, and liked her story of being born a Baptiste, in a Catholic hospital, delivered by a Jewish doctor. Edna grew up in a house built by her father, Selby, and brother, Reg, in the Rockcliffe Annex (Manor Park). Much to her delight Mom got to see horses everyday on her way to school; horses were her great love, and the RCMP stables were just down the street. Their house stayed in the family all these years, with her sister Joan living in it, right up until recently passing in 2018. Edna cherished childhood memories of Selby, building her a wooden horse, that she learned to post on like a professional, according to her riding teacher; and Reg returning from the war, with a little pearl necklace he bought for her in England. Mom was always playing show and tell with that dear necklace, taking it out of its box, and telling us its story. Almost 62yrs ago, Aunt Betty wore it on her wedding day, as “something borrowed”, and has always felt it brought them luck all these years.
Mom was very proud about her upbringing, and family heritage. She loved her family deeply, and worked hard at preserving its history. One Christmas she surprised her children and grandchildren, by gifting them with a printed copy of her family memoirs; cherished memories of the “good old days”. Mom particularly liked telling stories of her many childhood friends, and family pets; of the little store her parents operated out of the front of their house, where they sold her father’s renowned meat pies. Mom always spoke with such pride, about what a good baker her father was, and said he learned how to make pastry in the army. During the depression, neighbours who were less fortunate, and had no money, knew to go to their back door, where her mum Clara, would always find something to give them.
Edna attended Rockcliffe Public School, and graduated from the High School of Commerce (now Glebe Collegiate) just before the war ended. It was during this time she met the true love of her life, Donald Fraser, "the greatest bag pipe player this side of heaven!". Mom became gravely ill in 1948 with tuberculosis, and was a bed patient at the ROH Sanatorium, “The San”, for three years. It was there she met life long friends Phyllis Gorman and Clara Flannigan. Mom often recalled the time she and Phyllis slept in two beds out on the back porch, no glassed-in windows just screens, open to the elements. They loved being “outside” in the fresh air, but come autumn, the head nurse told them they had to move back inside. They protested, and much to the chagrin of the head nurse, their doctor sided with them, saying, “If they’re happy there, leave them there”. Mom and Phyllis continued to sleep out outside, under a mountain of blankets well into November. Phyllis joked that the nurses used to come out and check for a pulse to see if they were still alive. Clara, has a book written called, Clara’s Rib. Clara lived in The San for fourteen years before surviving her battle with Tuberculosis.
Finally, in 1951, Edna won her long battle with tuberculosis, and she was allowed to return home to live with her mum and dad. Her parents were living in an apartment building that her father was managing at the time, above some shops on Bank St. at Carling (Glebe Ave). This was Edna’s introduction to living in the Glebe, and after that she never left. In 1954, she married her Cameron Highlander Donald, in St. Giles Presbyterian Church, and moved into their new home one street over from their church, in a row house on Second Avenue. The other three houses in the row, were already occupied by Don’s parents, his sister Peggy (& Art), his brother Allan (& Valerie). It wasn’t too long after that, Don’s younger brother Doug (& Myrtle) would also move into the row. Don and Edna raised a family of four, two boys and two girls, and had a wonderful time surrounded by family and neighbours, soon to became dear friends, and were all very much a part of each others daily lives; playing together, looking out after each other, everyone sitting out on their front porches socializing at the end of a long hot day. Edna loved her home in the Glebe, and the sense of belonging. She felt proud to be a contributing member that helped build both her neighbourhood community, and her church community. During difficult times, or happy times, she was always there to offer her support, and always felt supported by friends, family and neighbours alike. She always talked about how nice it was to have friends, family, and their church so close by, with everyone in the row enjoying and sharing in family traditions and get togethers.
Most holidays at that time were spent camping at their lake lot in Quebec. Regularly packing up their four young kids, the family dog, and strapping their boat to the roof of their small VW Beetle, was a sight to see. Edna enjoyed her time camping, for the most part. However, there were times when she found it hard to relax; pregnant, or with young ones, and Don sleeping with an axe just in case the bears came around….
Edna, a true naturalist and birder at heart, always had beautiful gardens with interesting native plants, like wild ginger, ferns and woodland trilliums. She enjoyed being out in nature; up at the lake exploring, taking pictures, and filming home movies; and outings on the nature trails with Don, the kids, the family dogs, and his bagpipes was a regular weekend event. Edna was always the first one to notice a new comer, or unfamiliar bird song, and would later make a point of identifying it and adding it to her very long “life list”, at the back of her field guide book. Edna was known for her everlasting support for animal welfare and nature conservation. She wasn't living on Second Avenue very long, before she became know as the lady who could make any animal or bird well again.
On one of those many camping expeditions, Don and Edna, packed up the car and told everyone they were heading to "God's Country!" (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia). Music was always a big part of their life together. They never missed a White Heather Concert at the NAC, or a performance by their favourite, The Alexander Brothers. The annual long weekend camp out, at the Glengarry Highland Games, in Maxville, was a wonderful family tradition, guaranteed to leave them with many fun and happy memories. How proud they both were when Don, brought home the piping competition trophy, for the Kemptville Pipe Band!
Edna left the workforce in 1948, when diagnosed with TB, and it wasn’t until 1979, when she wanted to surprise Don with a trip to Scotland for their 25th Wedding Anniversary, that she returned to the workforce. A dream fulfilled, Edna returned from Scotland saying, the whole trip was magical, and was glad to be home in one piece, as neither of them had ever flown before. In the 80's, Edna worked at Mediaday, for the PMO’s office. It was her nephew Allan’s company, and she enjoyed working alongside her nephews Allan, and Tim, her niece Elaine, and she also made a life long friend there, Ursel Brown. She and Ursel, traditionally shared birthday celebrations, shopping expeditions at their favourite Thrift Stores and Antique Shops, and afternoons out at Ursel’s stables. Edna was selflessly generous with her time, and before becoming the Secretary of St. Giles Church, she was contributing to many women’s auxiliary groups over the years; the Women’s Guild, the “Old Women's” Auxiliary (WMS), the Young Women’s Auxiliary, the Pauline Brown’s Auxiliary, the Brown Bag Ladies Auxiliary all at St. Giles Church; the Glebe Centre's Women’s Auxiliary; Shepherds of Good Hope; High Horizons; the Ottawa Mission; the Ottawa Food Bank, is to name just a few. St. Giles Church was Edna’s second home, and everyone knew, particularly her grandchildren that if they couldn’t find her at home, they could always find her over at the church. Her grandchildren, many of whom had the chance to live with her, either at a very young age, or when they were older and attending College, are forever grateful for her unconditional love, guidance and support she gave them.
Edna was a very wise and resourceful person of many, talents. She will especially be remembered for her Scottish shortbread at Christmas time, sent in care packages to any Cameron Highlander stationed overseas. She’s known in her circle for making the best pumpkin pies, homemade soups, and beautifully decorated cakes; and the occasional haggis, for Robbie Burns Day celebrations. Edna was not one to sit still for very long. She loved to paint and draw, knit and crochet, and always enjoyed a good mystery novel. She loved to stroll the streets of her neighbourhood, the Glebe, of almost 70yrs; enjoyed spending time in her gardens, and readying the pond in her back yard each Spring, anticipating the arrival of the toads, accompanied by their serenading mating chorus; going to Little Theatre productions; being scooped up regularly after church by Cathy and Geoff, to catch a performance at the Upper Canada Playhouse, in Morrisburg, or picked up by Mickey and Allan, to go to family picnics and luncheons, almost always organized by Mert.
In the last years of Edna’s life as dementia took over, many aspects of her true character remained: her inherent kindness and compassion for the wellbeing of others; her quick wit and sense of humour; her genuine love and appreciation of her friends, family, and pets; her passion for horses, and gardening especially her tulips; creating in the kitchen and her never faltering desire to share with you, whatever it was she had at the time. Because of pandemic restrictions, Edna dearly missed being able to get together with her friends at Abbotsford House, missed going to her church, and visiting with friends and family, missed being able to go up to shop on Bank St. Despite all that, Edna still managed to be grateful for what she had. She enjoyed Zooming and doing Conference calls with her friends at the Glebe Centre; she was grateful she could still get out for walks around her neighbourhood, and down to the Canal; and there was nothing that lifted her spirits more than activities like being in good company; watching her flowers come into bloom, and the wildlife in her gardens; watching with friends, recordings of The Alexander Brothers; and taking a drive out to the RCMP stables, to see her “beautiful horses”. Edna will be fondly remembered for many things, by many people, and least of all for her beautiful smile, her big kind heart, her quick wit and lovely laugh. Edna is dearly missed and lives in our hearts and cherished memories, always and forever.
“THEY LIVETH BEST WHO LOVETH BEST ALL CREATURES BOTH GREAT AND SMALL”
Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1929, Edna May Thompson was the beloved wife of the late Donald Fraser. Edna’s family returned to Canada, when she was two years old and settled in Ottawa. Edna grew up in a house that’s still standing today, built by her father, Selby, and her brother, Reg, in the Rockcliffe Annex (Manor Park). Edna attended Rockcliffe Public School, and graduated from the High School of Commerce (now Glebe Collegiate) just before the war ended. It was during this time that Edna met the true love of her life, Donald Fraser, "the greatest bag pipe player this side of heaven!". In 1951, Edna survived her three year battle with Tuberculosis. Edna and Donald were married in St. Giles Presbyterian Church, the Cameron Highlanders' Home-Church, in 1954, and moved into their house on Second Avenue. Together, she and Don raised a family of four, two boys and two girls, until Don’s sudden death in 1986. Edna selflessly devoted her life to her family, her church, and her community. She was a very wise and resourceful person, with many talents: knitting, crocheting, cake decorating, drawing, painting, craft work, gardening, and baking, to mention a few. She was especially known for her Scottish shortbread at Christmas time. With her artistic creativity and beautiful gardens; non-judgemental and accepting ways; unconditional love, support, and guidance Edna inspired many.
Her love for family, friends, and pets; her love of music, and gardening never left her. Edna’s generosity, her quick wit and lovely laugh; her gracious, gentle manner; her love of life, and her big, kind heart still remained as her dementia took over. Edna will always be remembered for not least of all her inherent kindness, her heartwarming smile and her love of life.
She was predeceased by her brother Reg Thompson (Jean), her sister Joan Voller (Keith) and her parents Selby “Tommy” Thompson and Clara Slack.
Loving mother of David (Patricia Speers), Jamie (Donna Lamoureux), Christine (Charles Dulude) and Laurie. Devoted grandmother to Jason, Kate, Michael, Andrew and Evan. Great-grandmother to Ashlee, Brydan, Jordan, Sebastian and Maliyah. Great-great-grandmother to Matteo and Xavier. Edna will be sadly missed by all her nieces, nephews and all who knew her.
Edna loved her pets, and was known for her everlasting support for animal welfare and nature conservation.
The Dementia Adult Day Program, was invaluable to improving the quality of Edna’s life, in her final years. Edna really enjoyed and anticipated every day she got to spend with them, filling a void brought on by dementia. By providing a safe and happy place, and maintaining Edna’s sense of purpose, independence and dignity; our family is forever grateful to the caring and compassionate staff, of Abbotsford House at the Glebe Centre.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Abbotsford at the Glebe Centre - Dementia Adult Day Program, or to the Ottawa Humane Society.
Edna is dearly missed, and will live in our hearts and cherished memories, always and forever.
A Funeral Service will be held at St. Giles Presbyterian Church, 729 Bank Street (elevator accessible from the 181 First Avenue entrance), Saturday March 6th, 2021, 10:30am, after a private family visitation from 9:45 - 10:15am. Due to Covid 19 number restrictions, the service will be by invite only. Consult web site links for their Virtual Funeral Services www.hpmcgarry.ca , and, or, stgilesottawa.org
Livestream Link for Edna Fraser's Funeral Service
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our dear mother, and closest friend, Edna May Fraser (nee Thompson), on Thursday, February 11, 2021, at the age of 91.
Mom was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1929, and liked her story of being born a Baptiste, in a Catholic hospital, delivered by a Jewish doctor. Edna grew up in a house built by her father, Selby, and brother, Reg, in the Rockcliffe Annex (Manor Park). Much to her delight Mom got to see horses everyday on her way to school; horses were her great love, and the RCMP stables were just down the street. Their house stayed in the family all these years, with her sister Joan living in it, right up until recently passing in 2018. Edna cherished childhood memories of Selby, building her a wooden horse, that she learned to post on like a professional, according to her riding teacher; and Reg returning from the war, with a little pearl necklace he bought for her in England. Mom was always playing show and tell with that dear necklace, taking it out of its box, and telling us its story. Almost 62yrs ago, Aunt Betty wore it on her wedding day, as “something borrowed”, and has always felt it brought them luck all these years.
Mom was very proud about her upbringing, and family heritage. She loved her family deeply, and worked hard at preserving its history. One Christmas she surprised her children and grandchildren, by gifting them with a printed copy of her family memoirs; cherished memories of the “good old days”. Mom particularly liked telling stories of her many childhood friends, and family pets; of the little store her parents operated out of the front of their house, where they sold her father’s renowned meat pies. Mom always spoke with such pride, about what a good baker her father was, and said he learned how to make pastry in the army. During the depression, neighbours who were less fortunate, and had no money, knew to go to their back door, where her mum Clara, would always find something to give them.
Edna attended Rockcliffe Public School, and graduated from the High School of Commerce (now Glebe Collegiate) just before the war ended. It was during this time she met the true love of her life, Donald Fraser, "the greatest bag pipe player this side of heaven!". Mom became gravely ill in 1948 with tuberculosis, and was a bed patient at the ROH Sanatorium, “The San”, for three years. It was there she met life long friends Phyllis Gorman and Clara Flannigan. Mom often recalled the time she and Phyllis slept in two beds out on the back porch, no glassed-in windows just screens, open to the elements. They loved being “outside” in the fresh air, but come autumn, the head nurse told them they had to move back inside. They protested, and much to the chagrin of the head nurse, their doctor sided with them, saying, “If they’re happy there, leave them there”. Mom and Phyllis continued to sleep out outside, under a mountain of blankets well into November. Phyllis joked that the nurses used to come out and check for a pulse to see if they were still alive. Clara, has a book written called, Clara’s Rib. Clara lived in The San for fourteen years before surviving her battle with Tuberculosis.
Finally, in 1951, Edna won her long battle with tuberculosis, and she was allowed to return home to live with her mum and dad. Her parents were living in an apartment building that her father was managing at the time, above some shops on Bank St. at Carling (Glebe Ave). This was Edna’s introduction to living in the Glebe, and after that she never left. In 1954, she married her Cameron Highlander Donald, in St. Giles Presbyterian Church, and moved into their new home one street over from their church, in a row house on Second Avenue. The other three houses in the row, were already occupied by Don’s parents, his sister Peggy (& Art), his brother Allan (& Valerie). It wasn’t too long after that, Don’s younger brother Doug (& Myrtle) would also move into the row. Don and Edna raised a family of four, two boys and two girls, and had a wonderful time surrounded by family and neighbours, soon to became dear friends, and were all very much a part of each others daily lives; playing together, looking out after each other, everyone sitting out on their front porches socializing at the end of a long hot day. Edna loved her home in the Glebe, and the sense of belonging. She felt proud to be a contributing member that helped build both her neighbourhood community, and her church community. During difficult times, or happy times, she was always there to offer her support, and always felt supported by friends, family and neighbours alike. She always talked about how nice it was to have friends, family, and their church so close by, with everyone in the row enjoying and sharing in family traditions and get togethers.
Most holidays at that time were spent camping at their lake lot in Quebec. Regularly packing up their four young kids, the family dog, and strapping their boat to the roof of their small VW Beetle, was a sight to see. Edna enjoyed her time camping, for the most part. However, there were times when she found it hard to relax; pregnant, or with young ones, and Don sleeping with an axe just in case the bears came around….
Edna, a true naturalist and birder at heart, always had beautiful gardens with interesting native plants, like wild ginger, ferns and woodland trilliums. She enjoyed being out in nature; up at the lake exploring, taking pictures, and filming home movies; and outings on the nature trails with Don, the kids, the family dogs, and his bagpipes was a regular weekend event. Edna was always the first one to notice a new comer, or unfamiliar bird song, and would later make a point of identifying it and adding it to her very long “life list”, at the back of her field guide book. Edna was known for her everlasting support for animal welfare and nature conservation. She wasn't living on Second Avenue very long, before she became know as the lady who could make any animal or bird well again.
On one of those many camping expeditions, Don and Edna, packed up the car and told everyone they were heading to "God's Country!" (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia). Music was always a big part of their life together. They never missed a White Heather Concert at the NAC, or a performance by their favourite, The Alexander Brothers. The annual long weekend camp out, at the Glengarry Highland Games, in Maxville, was a wonderful family tradition, guaranteed to leave them with many fun and happy memories. How proud they both were when Don, brought home the piping competition trophy, for the Kemptville Pipe Band!
Edna left the workforce in 1948, when diagnosed with TB, and it wasn’t until 1979, when she wanted to surprise Don with a trip to Scotland for their 25th Wedding Anniversary, that she returned to the workforce. A dream fulfilled, Edna returned from Scotland saying, the whole trip was magical, and was glad to be home in one piece, as neither of them had ever flown before. In the 80's, Edna worked at Mediaday, for the PMO’s office. It was her nephew Allan’s company, and she enjoyed working alongside her nephews Allan, and Tim, her niece Elaine, and she also made a life long friend there, Ursel Brown. She and Ursel, traditionally shared birthday celebrations, shopping expeditions at their favourite Thrift Stores and Antique Shops, and afternoons out at Ursel’s stables. Edna was selflessly generous with her time, and before becoming the Secretary of St. Giles Church, she was contributing to many women’s auxiliary groups over the years; the Women’s Guild, the “Old Women's” Auxiliary (WMS), the Young Women’s Auxiliary, the Pauline Brown’s Auxiliary, the Brown Bag Ladies Auxiliary all at St. Giles Church; the Glebe Centre's Women’s Auxiliary; Shepherds of Good Hope; High Horizons; the Ottawa Mission; the Ottawa Food Bank, is to name just a few. St. Giles Church was Edna’s second home, and everyone knew, particularly her grandchildren that if they couldn’t find her at home, they could always find her over at the church. Her grandchildren, many of whom had the chance to live with her, either at a very young age, or when they were older and attending College, are forever grateful for her unconditional love, guidance and support she gave them.
Edna was a very wise and resourceful person of many, talents. She will especially be remembered for her Scottish shortbread at Christmas time, sent in care packages to any Cameron Highlander stationed overseas. She’s known in her circle for making the best pumpkin pies, homemade soups, and beautifully decorated cakes; and the occasional haggis, for Robbie Burns Day celebrations. Edna was not one to sit still for very long. She loved to paint and draw, knit and crochet, and always enjoyed a good mystery novel. She loved to stroll the streets of her neighbourhood, the Glebe, of almost 70yrs; enjoyed spending time in her gardens, and readying the pond in her back yard each Spring, anticipating the arrival of the toads, accompanied by their serenading mating chorus; going to Little Theatre productions; being scooped up regularly after church by Cathy and Geoff, to catch a performance at the Upper Canada Playhouse, in Morrisburg, or picked up by Mickey and Allan, to go to family picnics and luncheons, almost always organized by Mert.
In the last years of Edna’s life as dementia took over, many aspects of her true character remained: her inherent kindness and compassion for the wellbeing of others; her quick wit and sense of humour; her genuine love and appreciation of her friends, family, and pets; her passion for horses, and gardening especially her tulips; creating in the kitchen and her never faltering desire to share with you, whatever it was she had at the time. Because of pandemic restrictions, Edna dearly missed being able to get together with her friends at Abbotsford House, missed going to her church, and visiting with friends and family, missed being able to go up to shop on Bank St. Despite all that, Edna still managed to be grateful for what she had. She enjoyed Zooming and doing Conference calls with her friends at the Glebe Centre; she was grateful she could still get out for walks around her neighbourhood, and down to the Canal; and there was nothing that lifted her spirits more than activities like being in good company; watching her flowers come into bloom, and the wildlife in her gardens; watching with friends, recordings of The Alexander Brothers; and taking a drive out to the RCMP stables, to see her “beautiful horses”. Edna will be fondly remembered for many things, by many people, and least of all for her beautiful smile, her big kind heart, her quick wit and lovely laugh. Edna is dearly missed and lives in our hearts and cherished memories, always and forever.
“THEY LIVETH BEST WHO LOVETH BEST ALL CREATURES BOTH GREAT AND SMALL”