Barbara Mae Nestor

Sadly, but peacefully, our beloved Mother passed away on May 15th, 2023.  Being frail, and lacking of mind, she succumbed to her death after suffering for some time.

Here are some of the sweet moments and memories of her life that represented her influence on us in our lives.  First, she was a loving wife, a dedicated mother, and a cherished grandmother and great-grandmother.  She was happily married for over 75 years to her now-deceased husband, Donald.  She mothered four children who were one year apart and one child many years later.  For most of her life, she was a stay-at-home mother, challenging, because Dad was on the road a lot as a salesperson.  She was the matriarch that kept the family and relatives united.  She would often put the needs of others before herself.  

Both Mom and Dad enjoyed yearly vacations spending time with their children, with some exciting adventures.  One trip that stood out the most, is when we traveled from Bronte, Ontario, Canada to New Brunswick in a converted school bus.  

Oftentimes, as we were growing up, we spent time visiting relatives.  The Uncles, Aunts, and cousins would all get together and play charades, Euchre (a favorite card game) until all hours of the night, laughing, and joking.  Cousins were allowed to have fun playing freely.

One of Mom's passions was playing the piano, in which she excelled.  Her son Matthew and grandson Nathan, inherited her musical talent. She often listened to her numerous collection of cassette tapes, but her 2 favorites were Claire de Lune and Amazing Grace.

She also was an avid bowler and participated with Dad in a bowling league which would allow them to be in tournaments, taking them to Las Vegas. There, they competed very well, then hit the slot machines, and played blackjack and bingo.  On many occasions she would have a lucky streak at bingo.

Besides her enjoyment of reading romance novels and suspenseful mystery novels, she was great at writing and storytelling.  She even had a children's book published under her wings. Amazing.

Growing up as a child, I recall, that my Mom would be very hospitable with all the neighbors.  She had an open-door policy to family an friends.  She was graciously willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.

She loved being involved in the church as a Sunday School Teacher.  She participated as an assistant leader with the Canadian Girls in Training.  She was president of the school PTA.  She was an active participant with the Humane Society.  Perhaps, this is why we all have a love for animals to this day.

Mom was a great cook, I think that's where I got my inspiration and cooking skills. Thanks, Mom! She was a talented seamstress and helped Dad run Don's Cleaners for several years.  Mom also would sew and knit.  I remember her making our dance costumes for me and my sister Cheryl.  Knitting beautiful sweaters, hats, gloves, and socks to help keep us warm during the cold winter months. In her earlier years she attended to her flower garden filled with a variety, However her favorite were roses and iris.

For most of her later years, she resided with her daughter Karin and son-in-law, Jack.  Daily routines included activities of daily living and spent several hours a day doing things she loved to do.  Some of those included: Scrabble, Word Yahtzee, Euchre, card games, puzzles, crosswords, and cryptograms.  She would listen to the TV Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, nightly.  However, eventually, her eyesight, hearing, and other faculties declined and she no longer was able to participate. Daily meals were tricky, she was a particular eater, but she would gleam when it came to receiving fillet minion, mushrooms, onions, garlic olives, and some hot Lipton's tea. She fancied sourdough bread and had a taste for salted black licorice. Oh I forgot, sometimes she would sip on her Hiram Walker Blackberry Brandy in her tiny crystal shot glass. This helped her not only with her arthritic pain, but also calmed her and kept her warm.

She was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada to Eric and Greta Elvidge, 2 siblings, Ronald, and William, then her husband, Donald son's Warren, Bryan, and Matthew, daughters Karin and Cheryl, grandchildren Tracy, Nathan, Jessie, Joseph, Trevor, Kirsten, Shaun and great-grandchildren Riley, Matthew, Bishop, Josie, Hunter, Brooks, Theodore.  Added to this are relatives, aunts, uncles, cousins too many to list all over Canada and the U.S., and lasting friendships from far and wide.

At night before she would go to sleep, she would hug her fury stuffed dog "Everybody" which represented all, say a little prayer, and kiss it. Sweet.

As we all bid you farewell, may you rest in peace, our thoughts and prayers are with you, Mom.