Parcourez la nécrologie de Mary Carolyn Carol Oliver Neal 1925- résidant dans la province Ontario pour le détail des funérailles

Peacefully at 98 years of age, on November 19 at home, on the 61st anniversary of our arrival at that residence. Beloved and loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Carol was devoted to her faith, family, and friends. She immersed herself in the fine arts–music, art, architecture, and Canadiana. Carol was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Harold Egerton “Buzz” Neal. Survived by three sons and their partners (David and Leanne; Donald and Alix; and Alan); six grandchildren and their partners (Tristan and Libby; Teague; Lachlan and Stephanie; Mackenzie; Ryerson; Geneva and Oscar); two great-grandchildren (Bailey and Eden). Predeceased by her siblings, George Oliver and Barbara; Rev. Dr. Robert Oliver and “Gussie”; Isabel and Creighton Reid; Rhoda and John Wright; niece Janice Nicol; and sister-in-law Gwendolyn and Lloyd Hopper.
Carol and Buzz thrived in their extended years, often snuggled together in the living room, lovingly facilitated by steady caregivers, Jessica, Elizabeth, Jen, Theresa, and Odette. The family has also appreciated the ongoing support of the Rosedale United Church family. Many thanks as well to Lorna McDougall NP, and Dr. Ann Stewart.
Carol embraced and gave of herself in meaningful ways to a large extended family of Olivers. Born in 1925 to Mary Caroline Isabelle “Carrie” (nee Gosnell) and the Rev. George Wilfrid Oliver, Carolyn first lived in the Manse at Melbourne ON. In 1926 the family moved to Ivan. All family members were deeply attached to the Church, including her uncle in Saskatchewan, Rev. Dr. Edmund Oliver, United Church Moderator, 1930-32. As children, successive charges included Blyth, Oil Springs, Arva, and Belmont, in SW Ontario. Young Carolyn well enjoyed their Bayfield cottage on Lake Huron.
Carol followed in her parents’ and brother Robert’s footsteps to the University of Toronto, where she met our father, “Buzz” Neal. Part of the folklore at home was Carol (“Olie”) and Buzz’s meeting on a blind date at Victoria College, U of T. The rest unfolded quickly in the company of lifelong friends, including Mae “Elmer” and Bill Nurse, Eleanor “Woodge” and Professor G. Wallis (“Wally”) Field, and Barb and Bill Maize. She majored at the Faculty of Household Science, and family would come to benefit from her knowledge and culinary skills; Sunday dinners, birthdays, seasonal celebrations, and shared Christmases with Robert and “Gussie’s” family.
Carol and Buzz were married October 15,1949, by her brother Robert at Clarkson United Church, with her sisters and friend “Elmer” at her side. Soon, Carol and Buzz moved to St. Laurent, Montreal, where she taught Primary school, and Buzz’s studies in Geology led him to the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC). While prospecting in the summers, Buzz discovered a rich iron deposit in Labrador–he named the adjacent body of water “Carol Lake”, and a town by the same name soon developed, now Labrador City. In Montreal, they befriended Sheila, a music teacher, and Bob Kirkland.
Sons David (b.1952) and Donald (b.1955) and the two couples were soon on the move to the snow laden mining town of Schefferville, PQ, 600 miles north of Montreal, near the tree line. Buzz was in charge of the Research plant, and Carol joined the newly constructed church as choir leader and organist, along with friends Sheila and “Kirk”, Helen and Rev. Doug Ross, and Patricia and Peter Young. Carol appreciated music tutelage from both Sheila and Patricia. Together, with their young families, their friendships evolved to include Charlotte and Rev. Jim Mills, Sybil and Doug MacEnteer, and Yadji and Gabor Major-Marothy. Carol developed a shop she named the “Spinning Wheel” in the basement of their home, where she assembled a loom for woven items, and built a stock of children’s books, records, toys, and greeting cards. We fondly remember reading Mark Twain’s ‘Huckleberry Finn’, playing with wooden railroad sets, listening to ‘Folk Music and Folkways’ collection of records featuring Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and Blues musicians, geared to all ages. Carol later came to appreciate Mennonite quilting and furniture; antiques adorning their lovely homes. Carol’s creative spirit led her one summer to the Banff School of Fine Arts, enhancing her passion for oil paintings in the woods and barrens outside of Schefferville.
During a field trip to Knob Lake, Buzz met and invited the ‘Group of Seven’ artist, A.Y. Jackson to their home; a memorable day! We prepared feverishly for the Spring 1959 visit of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, with the dais raised in the street across from us. This same summer, Carol delighted in an invitation to Collingwood to attend the Queen’s christening of the ‘Carol Lake’ ship; an IOC carrier. The summer was topped off with a trip to Europe for Carol and Buzz’s 10th wedding anniversary. Copenhagen, the galleries and museums of Florence and Venice, were among the highlights. Future trips overseas included her sister Isabel and brother-in-law Creighton. With their friends the Youngs, the MacEnteers, and the Rosses, Carol and Buzz spent a truly memorable time at the Oberammergau festival. Our parents loved visiting the Maritimes, beginning in our Centennial year with David and Donald. In later years, Carol and Buzz experienced flying over the Grand Canyon. A special trip to Trinidad reunited them with ‘Vic’ grads, the Hassanalis.
Carol joined Yadji for cross-country skiing before it was popularized, continuing with Buzz in later years at their ‘Glenora’ farm property. They also skated together on Toronto rinks, following their move in 1962. Carol’s summers were often spent in Byron at her mother’s, near her sisters in London and Thamesford. In 1961 third son, Alan, came along. Alan made his family exceptionally proud of him over the years. Naturally, to have a child with Down Syndrome came with its challenges, but Carol was a wholly loving committed parent, celebrating Alan’s milestones and achievements. She sought out all kinds of opportunities for him, and his later travel, camp, swimming, and work experiences were a source of great pride. She rejoiced in all of her sons’ and grandchildren’s accomplishments. Bailey and Eden affectionately called her “GG”.
In 1968, Carol and Buzz had eyed an old farm property. It became a beloved four season retreat from city life, to this day. It is a short drive from the Alma Manse where the Olivers lived, prior to Carolyn’s birth. For many years, the farm’s care has been entrusted to their close friends, John and Margaret Sealey, and now to the next generation.
Carol found time to pursue her own interests of assisting at The Victor Home for Girls/Women, teaching math at St. Clement’s School, and polishing her bookkeeping skills for H.E. Neal & Associates. The Toronto Architectural Conservancy benefitted from Carol’s volunteerism; hosting meetings while researching heritage projects. In 1981, Carol authored, ‘Eden Smith Architect 1858-1949’, with pen sketches by architect Bill Moffet. Eden Smith was Toronto’s foremost Arts & Crafts architect.
Carol and Buzz enjoyed the Stratford festival and setting, and were regulars at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for decades. With her children and grandchildren Carol played games of croquet, badminton, crokinole, and scrabble. Annual Oliver family reunions allowed for wonderful gatherings. Nieces and nephews kept up with her through the years, and she delighted in the camaraderie of outdoor picnics, watching the family grow. She lived to enjoy her grandchildren’s weddings at the farm, and at The Old Mill, Toronto. With Donald she enjoyed a special rail journey across Canada, in awe of familiar beautiful landscapes.
In 2014, Carol and Buzz celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with family, friends, and neighbours at Rosedale United Church. In 2019, during Carol and Buzz’s last trip to their family farm together, on the occasion of their 70th anniversary, they visited the McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg, in what had become an Autumn tradition with David and family.
Forever loved; forever missed.
Celebration of Life to be held: Mary Carolyn Neal–Rosedale United Church 159 Roxborough Drive M4W 1X7–2:00 pm Friday December 15; Church reception to follow.
(Service will also be live streamed)
Donations can be made to Sistema Toronto, indicating “in memory of Carolyn Neal”– cheques made out to “Sistema Toronto Academy” 96 Vine Ave. # 5 Toronto, ON M6P 1V7 (online: www.sistema-toronto.ca/make-one-time-or-monthly-donation); OR to the Ontario Historical Society (online: Donate-Ontario Historical Society)

2023

Morley Bedford Funeral Services Ltd

Décès pour la Ville:Toronto, Province: Ontario

avis deces Mary Carolyn Carol Oliver Neal 1925-

nécrologie Mary Carolyn Carol Oliver Neal 1925-

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