Obituary of Elsie Oravec

ORAVEC (nee DAWSON), Elsie Elizabeth - Born on February 6, 1925 in Sarnia, and died of chronic illness at Bluewater Health, Mitton Site on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at the age of 84. Elsie lived her entire life in Sarnia and provided a lifetime of service to her community. Elsie was a volunteer with the St. John’s Ambulance Association, The Sarnia General Hospital, St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Point Edward where she was a member of the choir, the ladies guild and the Board of Directors. Elsie was an active member of the Stroke Recovery Group of Sarnia. She also organized a team of volunteers for Meals on Wheels for over 30 years and volunteered for the Canadian Red Cross for many years. She received the Sertoma Service to Mankind Award, was on the Mayor's Honour List in 2000, and received the St. Johns Ambulance Service Award. Elsie loved to travel. Some of her memorable trips were to eastern and western Canada, to Europe and in her later years on cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska and the U.S. north east coast. Elsie loved to sew both for herself, her family and as fundraising items for her church bazaars. Elsie loved music and enjoyed attending live theatre. A devoted wife and Mother, Elsie was predeceased by her husband of fifty years Paul Oravec, daughter Karen Oravec Gilbert, and grandson Charlie Gilbert. She is survived by her brother Thomas Dawson, son Donald Oravec (James Harper), granddaughters Rebecca Sanford (Chris Sanford) and Crystal Gilbert, by ten great grandchildren and ten nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 N. Christina St., Sarnia on Thursday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church (210 Michigan Avenue, Point Edward, Ontario) on Friday, November 20th at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Grace Coleman Anthony officiating. Interment to follow at Lakeview Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy friends who wish may send memorial donations to St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 210 Michigan Avenue, Point Edward, ON, N7V 1E8, the Stroke Recovery Association, 180 N. College Ave. N., Sarnia, ON, N7T 7X2 and the Writers’ Trust of Canada, Suite 200-90 Richmond St., E., Toronto, ON M5C 1P1. Messages of condolence & memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com. A tree will be planted in memory of Elsie Oravec in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 19th, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area.