04-May-1932 - 13-Sep-2023
Born May 4, 1932 in Peckem England, youngest child of Selina Palmer and Charles Sims, sister to Betty (Bill Hines), Kenneth, Sydney (Connie), and John (Enid), passed away in her home the evening of September 12, 2023. Her passing is a devastating loss and profound sadness. We are comforted by knowing she felt deeply loved by all of us and knowing she loved us all with all her heart. The morning brought the most brilliant rainbow over her house – we know it was her telling us everything was ok.
She grew up in a challenging era. Her childhood was interrupted by war sending her and Betty from London to the country for safety. Their family home was ransacked and destroyed and her brother Kenneth was killed in Germany. They had to make a new life. At school she met and later married Norman Capes and immigrated with their son Paul (Debra O’Halloran) and daughter Elaine (John Litherland) when they were small children. They made a new life in Toronto and soon after Nina (Rodney Patterson) was born. She was Nana to her 6 Grandchildren; Jennifer (Jon Starchuk), Clayton (Sara Benjamin), Krista (Devon Meyer), Brett (Katie Sadler) Hayley and Rachel Litherland and G-Nan to 8 great grandchildren Kate Fox, Isaac & Ireland Capes, Maliya, London & Bryton Meyer, and Kaya & Bennett Patterson.
She worked at various jobs while we were growing up and retired to a home they built in
Victoria Harbour on Waldie Avenue. Betty immigrated so the sisters could be together again. She loved the water and beautiful sunsets and hung many pictures of this special place on her walls. Shortly after our dad passed in 2007 she moved into Bowling Green where Betty had moved to. She joked about the no exit – dead-end sign at the entrance. Here she made another new life. She connected with new neighbours who became wonderful friends and amazing supports. She also met a lovely gentleman Geoffrey Barnes (1927 – 2020), who shared her British heritage. They became fast friends and enjoyed long car rides and lunches.
A woman of so many gifts and talents. She was a Cub Scout Akela, exemplifying its meaning, she played golf and tennis, trained as a seamstress she sewed for us and the grandkids, she had a beautiful voice and sang with the Sweet Adeline’s and Georgian Bay Belles, she painted beautiful watercolours, she served on countless committees and joined local social groups like the UCW, she loved her Pizza Ladies and the Lunch Bunch and all her singing gals who she had shared many fun cottage get aways with. After she sold her car her garage door went up, chairs were set out, and friends and passers-by would stop and sit and chat. She lived a full and mosaic life. She was beautiful, loving, courageous, full of grace and brought joy to all who met, knew and loved her.
We are immensely grateful to her neighbour friends Betty, Erin and Pam, and all the caregivers who supporter her wish to stay in the home she loved. Special thank you to Wendy who cared for her like she was her own mother.
Mum, Mumma, Nana, GNan thank you for all you did for us and the treasured memories you have given us.
A celebration of her life will be held Saturday October 14th, 2023 from 1 to 4 pm at the Askennonia Senior Centre Address: 527 Len Self Blvd, Midland, ON L4R 5N6
Arrangements entrusted to LeClair Cremation Centre
