Obituary of Louise Mildred Wakeling
Louise Mildred (Haas/Hass) Wakeling
Born December 1, 1929, Louise died November 17, 2021.
She allowed me my first breath. I was powerless to stop her last. I prayed, "The Lord is my Shepherd", then turned the key right, and my mother's body was returned to ashes—as is written: “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” For all she endured, may Mom be whole now and returned to those she had loved and lost during her lifetime.
Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, she moved to Toronto in 1958, where she met and married Elliot William (Harry Wakeling - deceased). Her parents were Joseph and Mildred (nee Gladycz) Hass. A resilient woman, Louise supported herself by whatever post-war employment was available. However, she always spoke most fondly of being an elevator operator in a medical arts building. Still unhappy years later over loosing that position when an inspector said she was “too short” for the job that she had been aptly handling exceptionally well for months: Our mother kept track of those “slights”.
Louise was a force of nature. She was a survivor—no, a thriver. Health obstacles that would have smothered most, were endured, and overcome, until just shy of her 92nd birthday she could not. Although bedridden during the last decade, she took to painting, and created many gallery-worthy pieces. If Louise had matured in a different time, it is quite possible that enrolment in an art college would have offered a career in the arts. Instead, these quality paintings created in her final years have been shared with family.
Louise leaves her daughters, Heather Anne Wakeling Lister (husband Andrew); Arlene Louise Wakeling (partner Jon Fee), and Marlene Marrett (husband Wayne), along with grandchildren: Charmaine, Elliott, Leland, Jennifer, Parisse, Nicole and Renae. She has 7 great grandchildren: Wyatt, Gauge, Paige, Payson, Everly, Zachary and Cameron. In particular, her niece Bev Ryan, was especially important in her life.
The great gratitude we have for all the support Louise received from Sarnia’s collective health services (LHIN) cannot be adequately expressed. From vital home-care psw’s, each one a soft-soled angel, to therapists, the personnel at Blue Water Hospital, Dr. Lilly and his palliative care team, especially the kindness of Anne. The VON e-shifters and of course, Theresa the palliative care nurse who came through in an emergency at-home situation to organize the end-of-life care that was so essential. And almost last, but not least, we must remember not to “forget” the Alzheimer’s society therapists who, over the years had become her dear companions. And of course, the staff associated with McKenzie-Blundy who made it possible for me, her daughter Heather, to personally turn that key to the right and say goodbye. No doubt Dad came and announced: “Doll, let’s get going, the car’s packed and I’m tired of waiting.”
Mother, you will be missed.
Donations to the Alzheimer’s Society, 420 East St. N., Sarnia, N7T 6Y5 https://alzheimer.ca/sarnialambton/en in memory of Louise are welcome. Arrangements entrusted to the McKenzie & Blundy Funeral Home & Cremation entre Ltd. Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com
