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There is
just so much I want to say about my dear aunt Connie. Her recent passing has
left an empty spot within me and so many, many others.
Born and
raised in Renfrew until I was almost 10, meant quite often “Auntie Connie” was a
lot like a second mom. I was my mother’s
first baby, while Connie was on her 5th (and final) kid at the time - my
wild cousin Bobby - who was born only a few months before me. Good thing my rookie
mom had her much experienced big sister to turn to for mothering tips.
I spent
plenty of time at the Farquharson’s family farm back in the day. There were pigs and
cows and cute little baby chicks. There were also plenty of chickens and eggs to
sell and it never ceased to amaze me to see the entire Farquharson family doing
their part in the process. Everyone had their job and Aunt Connie and Uncle Don
had taught them well.
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My most
memorable visits to the farm were falling off a pony, playing at the creek and
seeing a chicken with no head run down the lane.
I would play in the sandbox with Bobby while kinda wishing I was inside doing “girlie” things with Jeanne and Cathy. I’m sure I fooled no one.
I would play in the sandbox with Bobby while kinda wishing I was inside doing “girlie” things with Jeanne and Cathy. I’m sure I fooled no one.
Time spent
with my aunt Connie and all my Ottawa Valley relatives would be suddenly
limited when my family dynamic changed in 1970 and we ended up in St.
Catharines minus a dad and plus a step dad.
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None of
this mattered to Connie, whom we visited often and who came to St. Catharines
many times. We were just as close as in my childhood days, something we shared
throughout Connie’s remarkable life.
I stayed
in aunt Connie’s apartment when I joined my mom, her companion Bob and my sister Kim went to
Renfrew to attend the funeral. It was somewhat surreal to be there, but nice to
be able to see the place one last time.
I am going
to miss my aunt so much. No, we didn’t
see or talk to each other every day. But it always felt like she was there and
somehow always would be..
Fond memories
are comforting, but they’ll never be as good as the real thing. The genuine
article. Connie Farquharson, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother,
great-grandmother, aunt, great-aunt and a true-blue friend.
Rest in
Peace my iconic aunt. I will always love and remember you.
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EULOGY
Written
and read by Connie’s daughter Cathy Dick
Mom
was born on February 13, 1932 to Ivan and Rose Simpson. She grew up in Renfrew
and was a wonderful big sister to Joan and Judy.
Even
though Joan settled in St. Catharines and Judy in Sault St. Marie, mom was
always there for her sisters.
As a
young girl, two of mom’s favourite pastimes were skating at the Renfrew rink
and sliding down Old Man Pete’s Hill.
One
of her first jobs was at the Renfrew Creamery where she met Dad at the young
age of seventeen. They were married on October 10, 1951 and would settle on the
South McNaughton Line. Mom was just 19 when she married and had five children
in seven years Jim, Doug, Jeanne, myself and Bob.
Though
she had no experience, this small town girl quickly embraced farm life. She was
soon spotted driving a tractor, bailing hay, tending her garden, canning food
and caring for all sorts of farm animals. And as mom would say, “Sweatin’ like
a hen drawin’ rails.”
When
the baby chicks arrived to the farm she would keep them warm in the kitchen
before they went to the barn. We would collect, wash, candle, box and get the
eggs ready for sale. Once the hens were no longer laying eggs ... and found
themselves laying on the chopping block, mom didn’t stop there. She’d collect
the feathers to make us pillows and have the bird ready for Sunday dinner.
Some
of our fondest memories were swimming in the creek, climbing in the barn and
playing baseball with the Donohue’s. She would warm our clothes on the old wood
stove and make us porridge for breakfast and welcome our friends with open
arms.
She
was always so classy, as she strolled into this church with five kids in tow.
As
kids, we spent many Saturday nights at the Renfrew Drive In Theatre where she
would smuggle in popcorn and juice for us to enjoy as a family.
While
growing up on the farm, nothing ever seemed to faze mom. Jim was hit by a
truck, Doug went through the ice, Jeanne fell off the hay elevator, I got run
over by a car and while trying to burn the wings off a fly, Bob nearly burnt
down the house.
We kept her busy tending to our cuts, bruises, broken
bones and possible concussions to which she would say, “Just go lay down and
have a rest.” This probably would not pass today’s medical standards, but, by
some miracle, we all managed to survive.
Many a Saturday night, you would find mom and dad, and
their close friends, Murray & Marj and Alec & Helen playing cards at
the kitchen table. As the always gracious hostess, mom would have a luncheon
prepared with sandwiches and squares.
Mom and dad enjoyed travelling to many places such as
Nashville, Portugal and Argentina, just to name a few. They also spent many
winters in Florida. Even after dad passed, she was up for any adventure her
sisters or friends would suggest they go on.
Mom is fondly remembered by her ten grandchildren –
Mandy, Janet, Erin, David, Nancy, Ken, Megan, Amy, Brandon and Courtney.
They have shared many special memories of mom. They loved
swinging on the tire swings, playing bingo to win prizes, learning how to play
cribbage and euchre, and running around the yard to find items that she had
hidden for a scavenger hunt.
The grandchildren always looked forward to Christmas gits
that would be made up of beautifully knit socks, embroidered pillow cases and
hand-made quilts.
Mom had the longest telephone cord in the history of all
time. This was to ensure that she could multitask while chatting to her friends
and family. She would be seen with the phone perched on her shoulder while
ironing, peeling potatoes or mending a sock stretched over a mason jar. And at
the end of every conversation we would hear her say, “Bye for now.”
Long
before recycling was popular, mom had it all figured out. She wrapped gifts in
the funny pages, reuse paper bags, save jars, cans and margarine containers.
She also saved the baby bonus for a whole year, just so we could go to summer
camp. Once a saver, Always a saver – For instance, I recently discovered 13
frozen bananas in her freezer that she had planned on using for making banana
muffins. She also saved every newspaper clipping, picture and card that
involved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mom
continued to live on the farm after dad passed away in 2000. She always said to
us, “I’ll know when it is time to move into town, when I’m no longer able to
manage the place.”
So
when she drove the ride on lawn mower up the trunk of a maple tree, she
realized that the time had come.
Once
she moved into her apartment in town, the calendar on her fridge door was
always filled with activities from playing cards with friends, volunteering at
the hospital and the food bank and family birthdays.
She
was a lady who wore many hats, but vibrantly sported her red one while chumming
with the Red Hat Ladies. She enjoyed participating in many of their fun
activities and outings.
She
was also a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, part of the Ladies Aid
and a Sunday school teacher.
The Farquharson family gets together to celebrate every holiday and milestone birthday.
There
is usually enough food to feed a small army & mom always made the most
delicious pies. For some reason, there always seemed to be one left over, with
Doug’s name on it.
She
took such pride in her precious great grandchildren. Jack, Ethan, Dylan, Ainslee, Jacob, Aislyn,
Lilyann, Tia and Emerson Rose. They referred to her by many names, “Great
Grandma, Super Grandma, Mrs. Grandma and GG.”
One
of mom’s classic phrases was “Off in a Cloud of Heifer Dust” and she was
thrilled when author Brent Connelly borrowed her catch phrase to title one of
his most recent books.
Nine
years ago, mom underwent double by-pass surgery. She had six stents put in her
arteries and for the past two years she suffered from pulmonary fibrosis. As a
result, she was unable to leave her apartment and take part in the many
activities she enjoyed.
For
the past three months, Hospice Renfrew was her home. She touched the staff and
volunteers with her wonderful wit and sense of humour.
We
are so grateful for the outstanding care that mom received.
She
was a very special lady who will be greatly missed. We
love you mom.
Bye
for now.
Read by daughter Cathy
Memorial Service, July 26/14
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