Obit - PARKIN, Mary Ellen
On Sunday, June 7, 2009, Ellen Parkin‘s journey in life ended; surrounded by the family she loved unconditionally.
Ellen, a resident of Jasper Place, Thunder Bay, Ontario, was born December 21, 1916, in Langenburg, Saskatchewan to William Caul & Martha Ann Strong. In 1925, along with her parents & siblings, she moved to Rainy River. Later the family took up residence in LaVallee before moving to Fort Frances in 1929. Her parents operated a dairy farm at Frog Creek and the original farm is still operated by one of her nephews.
It was at her parent‘s dairy farm that she met John George Parkin. He delivered milk for the farm and had a shine for the dairyman‘s daughter. George & Ellen wed on April 8, 1936 and moved to Rainy River where they built their own home. They resided in Rainy River together for 44 years. After George‘s passing, Ellen moved to Fort Frances and then later to Thunder Bay to be closer to her family.
Ellen was active in the Rainy River Agricultural and Horticultural Societies, as well as the church. Every year she “corned” the beef for the church‘s annual “Jigg‘s” supper. Together she and George started the Square Dance Club in Rainy River. When she moved to Fort Frances she continued her square dancing there. She was an avid gardener and won many prizes at the Rainy River and Emo fairs for her produce and handiwork. She was well known for her knitting, sewing, embroidery work, fruitcakes, butter tarts, and peanut butter cookies.
Ellen endeared herself to many people because of her zest for life and fun. Her passing will be mourned by people from coast to coast; people she always remembered on their special days with cards, letters, and phone calls. Many people called her “mom” or “grandma.”
She and George loved to travel, especially when they could incorporate square dance jamborees into their trips across Canada and the USA. After George‘s passing, she continued to look forward to her annual trips with her daughters.
She was predeceased by her parents, Martha & William Caul, her husband George Parkin, siblings Eva Boland, Florence Drennan, Annie Sullivan, Harry and Stephen Caul.
She is survived by her daughter Harriet (Gilbert) Renaud of Thunder Bay, and Georgette (Glenn) Rawlings of Sapawe. Grandchildren Terry Renaud, Gordon (Debra) Renaud, Rae Ann (Rob) Westerback, and Wendy (Craig) Huotari of Thunder Bay. Great grandchildren Steven and Darryl Renaud, and Matthew Westerback of Hinton, Alberta, Dallas Renaud, Ashley Westerback, Lyndsay, Kayla & Travis Huotari of Thunder Bay. Sisters-in-law Dorothy and Mary Caul of Fort Frances, as well as numerous nieces and nephews throughout Canada and the USA.
She will also be remembered by her “adoptive” children, Pam & Paul Money, Atikokan; Roger Cannon, Oshawa; and Gordienna Drennan, Rainy River; as well as special friends Marg Rogozinski, Fort Frances; Phoebe Mosley, Atikokan; Dolly Proteau, Winnipeg; Jessie Martinson, Vancouver; Peggy Livingstone, Rainy River; Rose Bilinski and Else Couch of Jasper Place.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Ellen‘s life will take place at Knox United Church, Church Street, Fort Frances, Ontario, on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 11:00 am. Her ashes will be interred at Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances, beside George, the love of her life. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Knox United Church Lift Fund (Fort Frances), or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.