N. Jocelyn Fraser June 28, 1921-October 21, 2021
With deepest sadness the family of Jocelyn Fraser announce that she passed away in relaxed comfort on October 21, 2021 at St Joseph’s Complex Continuing Care Centre after a long life well lived & a relatively short illness. Two weeks before she passed away, she was still besting her daughter at their nightly jeopardy competition. Mother of 2 daughters, Martina & Peta, grandmother of Traci, Graeme (deceased), Darren, Tanay & Rena, great grandmother of Kristen & Megan. Born in Cornwall, England on June 28, 1921, she lived through interesting times. Just a young woman when WW2 began, she joined the Signal Corps, providing valuable communications to the combat forces including those involved in the evacuation of Dunkirk. She resided in London for the duration of the war surviving the nightly bombing of the blitz. She, like many other young British women, married a Canadian soldier. Martina was born near the end of the war. Sometime later they took a slow and crowded transport ship to start a new life in Nova Scotia, the beginnings of her life long love for the Maritimes. Peta arrived a few years later. Single at 42, Jocelyn moved to Cornwall Ontario to find work at the YM-YWCA. After her girls were grown and on their own, she went to Queens University to receive her degree in education following which she worked as a teacher at GVSS, Tagwi & CCVS. While at GVSS she became very invested in the Mohawk students, their culture, religion & language. She was the founding member of the still existing Cornwall Sea Lions competitive swim team and was inducted into the Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame for her achievements in this sport. An avid hiker, she trekked a good portion of the Appalachian trail over several summers. For many years she ran a dog training school. Most of Cornwall’s best-behaved dogs graduated from her classes, her mantra of which was “I’m not training the dog, I am training the humans how to be good pet parents”. She volunteered at all the local long term care facilities visiting with her certified therapy dogs. She trained and successfully showed her own Australian Silky terriers in both confirmation & obedience classes at dog shows all over Canada & the US and once even in Bermuda. While she was living on water street, she campaigned for city council to permit dogs on leash to be walked in Lamoureux park, to the benefit of dog lovers all over town. Alert and conscious to almost the very end of her days, she enjoyed her small (thanks to COVID restrictions) but enthusiastic 100th birthday party. She received over 75 birthday cards and letters including one from Queen Elizabeth.
Many thanks to all the caregivers at SJCCC for the loving, gentle, kind, & skilled care. I hesitate to name names to thank because it would be a sure thing that I would forget one or two, but you all know who you are. Your exceptional care did not ever go unnoticed. From the front door screeners, the COVID testing staff, the office staff & IT department, the housekeepers, maintenance crew, rehab workers, Social Workers, dietary staff, RNs, RPNs, PSWs, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Special mention of thanks to Dr Garrett Foley & Meghan O’Brien NP for their skill and kindness. Our mum lived her life with strength, stubbornness and intelligence, and passed away with all those traits in evidence to her last breath. We are eternally grateful to have had our mother in our lives for such a long time and feel blessed that when her time was ending it was easy and gentle thanks to all the people at SJCCC.
At her request there will be no service. If desired, donations in her memory may be made to the Humane Society or any pet rescue organization of your choice. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Wilson Funeral Home. 822 Pitt Street, Cornwall. Online condolences may be made on www.wilsonfuneralhome.ca.
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Thursday October 21st 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Jocelyn Nita Fraser Thursday October 21st 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Cornwall, Province: Ontario