The quilt that makes up Canada is threaded with the story of immigrant families, who, after arriving in their new home, follow the lakes and waterways as they lead their families from poverty through hope to prosperity and safety.
Lillian Jessippina Giovanna Mary Calouri Morris was born to a newly immigrated Italian father and a Canadian Irish mother while children skated nearby on the frozen St. Lawrence Seaway at Montreal, Quebec, 92 years ago on January 25, 1929.
She took the hand of her Maker on November 21, 2021, up-stream at Sarnia, Ontario within a stone skip of the mighty Lake Huron as the season’s first snow gently powdered the beaches.
Lil was known for tenaciously swimming against the current when she viewed it appropriate. At a time when many women were not afforded choices outside the home, Lil relentlessly pursued her passions – she was an artist, teacher, and life-long learner. Once her children were in school, she obtained Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees from the University of Toronto and York University. She obtained her Teaching degree from the University of Toronto and was a substitute high school teacher for years in Mississauga, Ontario. She was a voracious reader and spent many hours with her children in the Pointe Claire and Mississauga public libraries.
She instilled in her children and grandchildren the importance of independence, creative and critical thinking, and life-long learning.
She loved colour and beauty. She was surrounded by her paintings in Landmark Village Assisted Living Home in Sarnia in her last years. She was a fabulous cook with presentation of the meal being as important as the cooking of it. Her spaghetti and meatball recipe is legendary and loved by many.
She was known for her humour. She particularly loved humour based on English words with multiple meanings and puns. Appreciation of colour and form, kindness from the people at Landmark, family and friends, and word humour brought her a smile even as her heart failed over the last few years. When you look at the colours of the sky, know this brought Lil joy.
Lil was predeceased by her parents Raffaele Caluori (1947) and Mary Cassiday-Caluori-Bristol (2006), brother Rudy Caluori (2016), sister Nancy Connick (2021), and husband Arthur Graham Morris (1998)
She was a loving mother to Dale (Bob) Marshall of Edmonton, Deb (Ken) Walker of Bright’s Grove, and Brock Morris of Oakville. She was was beloved Gran’mum of Meghan Marshall (David Beaulieu), Rachael Marshall (Jamie Miller), Duncan Marshall, MacKenzie (Jesse) Macht and Haley Walker. She was lovingly humourous great-gran’mum to Francis and Ariel Macht, Oskar Miller and Thomas Beaulieu.
Much heartfelt gratitude to all the staff and health care professionals at Landmark Village and the Bluewater Health hospital who helped Lil in her final years when age gradually robbed her of her independence. Thank you for all for your kind, excellent care. Thank you.
Lil’s family asks that if you feel the need to make a donation, please donate to your local school or library. Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia, Ontario.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Lillian Jessippina Giovanna Mary Calouri Morris January 25th 1929 November 21st 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Sarnia, Province: Ontario