Maureen Stella Rees

Maureen Stella Rees (David), 87, passed away suddenly on June 28, 2023, at Brampton Civic Hospital. Maureen was born June 12, 1936 in Cardiff, Wales, UK to John (Jack) David and Helen (Nell) Russell. She was the third of six children, three boys and three girls. Growing up, Maureen was an excellent student, enjoyed playing netball, field hockey and spending time with her friends and family.

She met Howard, the love of her life, at a dance where he charmed her with his incomparable pick-up line “Come on worm, let’s wiggle”. They married on September 8, 1956 and shortly thereafter embarked on one of their first adventures, a move across the ocean to Montreal, Quebec, where Howard had accepted a job with Bell Canada. They enjoyed skiing, camping, touring around in their new Ford Fairlane, and every Friday night, ate at their favourite Italian restaurant. In 1961, they welcomed their first child, Michael, and in 1962, decided to make the journey back to Wales and settled back in Cardiff. Two more children followed – Jeffrey in 1964 and Lynda in 1966 to make the family complete. A few more years saw them get itchy feet yet again, and they moved back to Canada, and eventually settled in Georgetown, Ontario for many years. The itchy feet ensured they moved around a bit, but they always stayed close to family. Eventually they welcomed 6 grandchildren, and Maureen doted on them all as their beloved Nanny.

Maureen worked as a bookkeeper, with employment at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, Prudential Insurance in Cardiff, and The Town of Halton Hills and Sheridan College. Maureen charmed everyone with her mega-watt smile, great sense of humour, and lively spirit. She was always a chatterbox, willing to talk to anyone and everyone. She loved to try new things, and joined tennis leagues, bowling leagues, ceramic groups, the local choir, exercise classes, table tennis groups, and in later years took up golfing and lawn and carpet bowling. She enjoyed travelling, especially to the beach. There were many memorable family trips to all the major beaches on the eastern seaboard of the USA, and many camping trips to Ontario’s Provincial Parks. In later years, she and Howard enjoyed many adventures together, with trips to the Caribbean and Europe.

Maureen lived her life with charm, humour, and elegance. She will be sorely missed. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Howard, her sister Eileen, her children Jeff (Pam) and Lynda (Jim), daughter-in-law Marta, and grandchildren Robyn, Bradley, Rhys, Bethany, Christine and Amanda. She was predeceased by her son Michael, brothers Terry, Kevin and Peter, and sister June.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.andrewscommunityfuneralcentre.com for the Rees family.