Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Ontario for funeral details
On October 3rd 2024 at 93 years of age, Virginia left this world her way; peacefully at home.
Virginia was the 3rd child and only daughter of the late F.L.P. Anderson and St. Kilda McKay McLean.
No word has yet to emerge in the English language to describe the sunny disposition of Virginia. We’ve contacted the Dictionary and suggested one; Posoptimive – the merging of hyper-positive and ultra-optimistic. We’ll grant permission the use of Mom’s photo should they desire to illustrate this newly added word. Anything less than “posoptimive” would be an under-statement.
A kind heart, wonderful sense of humour, but Virginia was most prominently known for being “upbeat and cheerful”. Her glass was always full, and she could find the silver lining in any dark cloud. Life wasn’t perfect or without challenges, she just knew how to find the “bright side” in an otherwise challenging or difficult situation. Her positivity was both endearing and sometimes comical; when life threw her lemons… it was lemon meringue pie for dessert.
Born and raised in Montreal, her passion in youth was “stroke” as a member of the Lachine Racing Canoe Club. Then at 18, Virginia moved to the small town of Aberfoyle and found employment in nearby Guelph. After a day of work at Kennedy’s book store, she missed her bus home, when a charming young man offered her a lift; she accepted a ride, and the rest, as they say, is history…
Jerry was the love of her life, and they married later that same year. Settling happily into her role as wife and mother, together they raised 5 children, John (Susan), Brenda (Jim), Wendy (Steve), Ross (Janice) and Cathy (Rejean). Virginia was also a proud Grandma to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. All of us have fond memories of growing up in a busy and sometimes crowded home, where extended family and friends were welcomed, as Mom always made life interesting and fun.
When her kids flew the nest, Virginia’s entrepreneurial spirit, combined with her desire to help people, got the better of her and she launched a new business. She successfully founded and ran The Back Shop in Hamilton, until she sold the business and retired at age 71.
Virginia and Jerry divided their time between their homes in Burlington, Wiscoy, N.Y. and travelling in their motor home. When Jerry’s health issues disrupted their lives, Virginia made the best of that too; she was his primary care giver and by his side until the day he passed peacefully at home. As difficult as it was to lose her husband of 63 years, Virginia’s “life goes on attitude” allowed her to make full use of the time she had left. Whether puttering in her garden, or daily talks with her “best friend and sister-in-law” Marlene Ribble, she was “always cheerful” and never without her signature smile. In recent years, she enjoyed a walk down memory lane, revisiting Montreal and reconnected with some of her childhood friends. She ventured west to Calgary and Victoria, then off to New York City, but the highlight of her travels was a Baltic cruise. She was slowed down by a battle with cancer in 2016 but soldiered through with courage and determination.
Many thanks to Dr. Bobby Shayegun, Dr. Wilson and nurse Carol, and to Colleen and her kind and caring staff at Mount Royal IDA pharmacy.
As per Mom’s wishes, there will be no formal funeral service, however, our family will gather to celebrate the life, and remember with “tremendous pride, deep gratitude and everlasting love”, the kind, warm, compassionate, “posoptimive” woman we were honoured to call “Mom”.
Thursday October 3rd 2024
Death notice for the town of: , Province: Ontario
death notice Virginia Roana Carmichael Anderson Thursday October 3rd 2024
obituaries notice Virginia Roana Carmichael Anderson Thursday October 3rd 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Virginia Roana Carmichael Anderson Thursday October 3rd 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
