Obituary of Verna Marjorie Blackler

Verna Marjorie Blackler passed away on March 22, 2022 at Kingsway Lodge, St. Marys, ON. Mom surprised even herself living to the age of 91.

Unfortunately, independent living for Mom ended when she fell and broke her hip on Family Day, 2020. A month later, in March, when the world found itself in a pandemic, Mom moved into Long Term Care. Sadly, as for many families, these past two years have meant family times with Mom have been few and far between. We must acknowledge, however, the loving care that Kingsway staff was able to provide during that difficult period. We are forever grateful for the hugs and compassion they so freely offered when family was not able to do so.

Growing up on a farm, the eldest of seven children, Mom was not afraid of hard work. While her peers were completing high school, Mom was apprenticing to become a hairdresser. She would have loved to have become a nurse, as we heard her tell many health care providers. At the time circumstances were not in her favour. However, her hairdressing career did allow her to work from home, while raising a family of five.

When Mom married our Dad, Burns, she took the role of wife, homemaker and mother very seriously, growing and preserving food from the very large garden, and always providing healthy, hearty, homemade meals. She readily volunteered in the Kirkton community, whether it was at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 4-H homemaking clubs, Women’s Institute, or the community centre.

Mom believed in self-improvement. Over the years she took courses in hairstyling, projects through Women’s Institute, and created a number of quilts with Quilters’ Guild. Mom also had a keen interest in family history. The first of many trips to England began in 1970. She loved meeting new relatives, and seeing places where family from both sides had gone before.

Mom enjoyed travel. As members of International Flying Farmers she and Dad made new friends and enjoyed many road and plane trips throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 1999, Mom convinced Dad to move to a new home in St. Marys. Together they spent six happy years on Ann Street. Mom continued to live there until 2010 when she downsized and moved to Fairhill Residence at Kingsway.

Mom was content and grateful for her life. She relaxed into her new routine at Fairhill, taking full advantage of the many wonderful programs that were offered. If there was a sign up list, you could bet her name was on it, never missing an opportunity for fun and learning. Verna is predeceased by parents Bert and Ruby Stacey, in-laws, Elsie and William Blackler, husband, Burns, brothers, Ray (late Doreen), Oliver, Carman, sister, Laura Shaw, sisters and brothers in law, Alice and Harold Henry, Doris and Les Fairbairn. She is survived by sisters, Emma (late John Carruthers), Audrey Sanchez (Louis), sister in law, Ann Stacey (late Oliver).

Verna is the loving and proud mother of son Philip (Cathy), daughter, Wendy Aitken (Ron) son,Rob, daughter, Jayne Blackler (Jim), son, David (Sylvia). She is the cherished grandmother of Jessica Blackler, Alia Henderson (Patrick), Lindsay Aitken (Aaron), Matt Aitken, Rory Blackler (Sophie), Robin Blackler (Shannon), Deidre Molland (Russel), Dustin Molland, Wes Molland (Bobbi Jo), Cody Blackler (Raven) Josh Blackler, Brandon Blackler, and great grandmother of Evin, Drew, Damien, Keaton, Isla, Colton.

Memorial donations may be made to a service club or charity of your choice instead of flowers.

Now that society is cautiously returning to pre pandemic normalcy, a near normal funeral will be held at Kirkton Woodham Community Centre, 70497 Rd 164, Kirkton, on Saturday, March 26, at 11 a.m. with a reception following the service. Verna's family asks that masks be worn.

Click here to view a video of the funeral service.