Esme Southwell (nee Greenwood)
Esme died peacefully at Elgin Memorial Hospital August 3, 2019. She is survived by her devoted husband, Peter, her son Craig, daughter Holly, granddaughter Maya and daughter-in-law Lillian. Esme was the 5th of 11 children. She spent her early years in Fort Langley British Columbia. She often mentioned that during the depression she was responsible for the care of the potato patch. At Langley high school Esme participated in student musicals, fulfilling a passion for singing that continued throughout her life. While attending the University of British Columbia it was through that universities’ music society that she met her husband to be Peter on a blind date. In 1954 they moved to Montreal, Quebec. In 1958 they had a new home built in Rosemere Quebec and Esme joined the Laurenvale school board as a teacher. While working a full-time job as a teacher during the day Esme attended night school at Sir George Williams University, now Concordia and graduated with a BA degree and followed that up with an MA Degree in Education specializing in reading from McGill University. (Education was always very important to her) In the early 1970’s Esme, Peter and their daughter moved to Toronto where she became a Special Education teacher and a Reading Consultant for the Etobicoke Board of Education. On her retirement in 1990 she was given an award of excellence by the Etobicoke Board of Education.
When she was retiring from Etobicoke Board of Education her colleagues wrote up a little something for her, it is as follows:
1. When we heard that a good friend and valued colleague was leaving, we felt sad.
So we got together to celebrate her fine qualities in no time, we thought of nine and
we shared them.
2. Someone said she is knowledgeable; she can tell more from a glance at a face
sheet then the rest of us can after working intimately with a pupil all year.
3. Someone else offered that Esme is entertaining; audiences sit at the edge of their
seats and prepare to be enlightened and amused when she moves to the front of
the room.
4. Esme is trusting and a confidence builder said another. She never questions her
teachers and she’s so supportive and encouraging, they can’t help but do their best.
5. Esme is indefatigable everyone agreed. Who else would bake cookies – and
extravagant ones at that – for the 35 participants of an in-service she was running all
morning? Who else would provide, from out of town, a moveable feast, complete
with cutlery, china, glasses and even decorations so her teachers wouldn’t miss their
Christmas treat?
6. Reliable is another word we used to describe Esme. No matter how haphazard her
overloaded binder appeared, a request for a pupils 427 or a hand out of some
obscure technique would be honoured with the delivery of the next board mail.
7. Someone said Esme is modest. Despite the fact that no one has anything but praise
for her, she remains levelheaded, down to earth and always approachable.
8. There was no disagreement about what a caring person she is. She is always ready
to listen and respond. Her teachers have even been known to cry when they find
they’ll no longer be in her region.
9. We all agreed that she is an original. Her unique style from clothing to conducting
meetings is irreplaceable.
There are many people that have the ability to read this obituary thanks to Esme’s commitment. In 1996 Esme and Peter moved to Tillsonburg Ontario. She continued her passion for singing in the Tillsonburg senior centre choir and the Anglican church choir. She also donated her time using her other passion to teach reading at the Tillsonburg library to children who were having difficulties learning to read. Sadly for someone who was so interested in education and learning Esme was afflicted with dementia for many years. However, even in her last months of life she was still very good at trivia provided it was something she would know in her earlier years of life. She continued to be able to read with comprehension, although she would forget a few minutes later. Esme spent her last few years locked into the self of 30 years before when she was excelling at work, following her childrens’ careers with interest and sharing time with her husband; in other words when she may have been happiest. Perhaps there was a silver
lining to her affliction. There was a private Service for immediate family at Tillsonburg Cemetery on August 12, 2019 where her ashes were laid to rest. Thank-you from all the family members for the years of great care from the staff of lower north ward of Terrace Lodge in Aylmer and of St Thomas Elgin General Hospital who treated her twice in the last 8 months of her life. Donations to Dementia and Alzheimer’s prevention research would be very much appreciated in lieu of flowers. Personal condolences may be sent to www.ostrandersfuneralhome.com
Read Less
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Esme Southwell Greenwood Saturday August 3rd 2019..
Décès pour la Ville:Tillsonburg, Province: Ontario