15-May-1932 - 18-Feb-2022
In loving memory of Dorothy (nee Dusome) Grenier, (89 years) born on May 15th, 1932 who passed away surrounded by her cherished family on February 18th, 2022. Beloved wife to Philip “Pitou” Grenier (predeceased). Loving daughter to Fred Dusome (predeceased) and Edna Patterson (predeceased). Sister to George (predeceased), Clifford (Barbara), Flora (Guy - predeceased), Charles (Helen), and Joanie (Hugh). Loving Mother to Ricky (Rosie), Linda (Richard), Larry (predeceased), Wayne (Carmaine), Tim (Lisa), David (Kim) and Janet (Claude). Loving Mere to Michelle (David), Kevin (Nadine), Chris (Liz), Darryl (Lisa), Tracy (Chris), Jeremy, Jason, Aimee (Lloyd), Chris (Amanda), Nicole (Rodney), Jesse, Matt (Sarah), Chantelle (Danny), Ashley (Matt), Mike (Mariah), Aaron, and Emily. Beloved Great Grandmother to 27 beautiful great grandchildren. She will be sadly missed by her many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends, her Metis community, and everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her.
MERE
God looked around his garden and found an empty space
Then he looked down upon this Earth and saw your tired face
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest
God’s Garden must be beautiful, he only takes the best
She may have been tiny, but with her kind heart, witty comebacks, and unconditional love of family, Mere was as big as the universe. And us? We were the stars she held in the sky. Always at the centre of the fun, even in her 90th year she was ready for any adventure that came her way. She lived life to the absolute fullest, right up to her last days - whether it was a ride to Costco, accompanying her granddaughter to the hospital, a fishing trip, a drive to Huntsville for a Caesar, or a girls weekend North to the hunt camp.
In her opinion, going to bed early was a waste of time. Telling us, “You never know what tomorrow might bring”, she thought it best to spend as much time as possible laughing and dancing. She loved her games - scratch tickets, lotto, trips to the casino, never leaving home without her lucky blue dot, which always kept her in the winner’s circle. Mere never missed a Toronto Maple Leaf’s game, and spent her last night listening to the game, narrated to her by her sons and grandchildren with a 4-1 victory!
Mere spent her childhood and summers up the lakes boating and fishing with her family. Known as the ‘Queen of Motorolla’, she proudly worked hard at a job that gave her independence and the means to buy herself a boat, which she drove everywhere. From her father, a renowned fisherman’s guide, she learned every island, rock, shoal, and honey hole to fish. She shared this love and knowledge with her children and grandchildren and made sure we could all fall in love with the lake we were so blessed to be raised upon, her beautiful Georgian Bay.
Barbeques, bon fires, dancing, singing along with her boys while they played guitars and fiddles, (she married a square dance caller after all), picnics on the beach, she was such an avid bird watcher, and loved to shop, these were some of her favourite things to do. Her spirit and joy attracted others and she always extended the invite to everyone, hence her nickname, known as ‘Mere Grenier’ to the many people who benefited from her infectious energy and warm light.
She had the sharpest memory, remembering each detail from every story from her childhood, or yours. To her last day, she knew where and when people were married, what they wore, what they said - no detail was spared. Because you were important to her – we all were. You were always guaranteed to receive a sweet little birthday card and Christmas card in your mailbox because she never ever forgot a special day. She had that magic that makes everyone feel included, regardless of how big the family grew. She loved us all.
Mere adored gardening and couldn’t resist the beauty of a blooming rose, a beautiful hydrangea, or anything green and growing. She was well known for spotting a healthy plant somewhere and for taking road trips to uproot a pretty lilac bush. She cared for a rose bush for 30 years for one of her grandchildren before gifting it back to them. That’s how she lived- keeping beauty alive for all of us, reminding us just how important each of us was.
She was our Matriarch, and the Rock of the family. We will think of her every time we see a rose and at every gathering when the music starts. And in those moments when we might not feel important, her memory will remind us that we are remarkable; that we are special because we were loved so fully by such a beautiful person.
To quote her: “We take things too serious! Life is too short, just move past it and move on.” So, on that note we’d like to raise a glass of cold beer with a pinch of salt. Cheers, this one's for you Mere.
