Vera LaRocque

Vera was born on Sunday, April 16, 1916 in Crozier, Ontario to Arthur (Ted) and Mary Lavinnia (Gadd) Sexton. She was united in marriage in 1940 to Lawrence Joseph LaRocque.

She is survived by daughter Vivian (Terry) Smith of Calgary, Alberta, and their children Lorne (Kara) and Keri, by sons Len (Betty Ann) LaRocque of Fort Frances and their children Lisa Watson (James) and Shannon LaRocque (Jason) and Dan (Linda) LaRocque also of Fort Frances and their children Brad LaRocque (Cheryl), Teressa Darrah (Luc), Laurie Beadle (Christian) and Jason LaRocque. She is also survived by eleven great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Vera was predeceased by her parents, husband Larry, sisters Clarissa (Floyd) Lindquist, Jessie (Jack) Fulton, Ruth (Carl) Anderson, and brothers Fred, and Art (Olga) Sexton.

Vera was a very independent person, leaving home at 19 to attend Normal School (Teachers’ College) in North Bay. She taught in Dobie, Deerlock and Mather/Potts Townships in one room school houses. In those years, married women were not allowed to teach and Vera was content to raise her family once she married. When Larry left to serve in World War II in 1942 and married women were again allowed to teach, Vera took her son Len and went to teach in a one room school house in Flanders. All three of her children eventually spent time in Flanders with her. Upon retirement, Vera was teaching at Huffman School in Fort Frances. One of her greatest joys was teaching children to read.

During her lifetime, Vera was actively involved in numerous public activities. As a young woman, she was involved in public speaking. She used her skills to campaign on the radio for former MPP Bill Noden. She was a long time member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority. She served a number of terms on the local executive of the Federation of Women Teachers of Ontario. Being interested in fairness for all people, she served a number of years on the Royal Commission on the Status of Women which made recommendations to the Ontario government on ways to achieve gender equity in the teaching profession.

Vera loved to play games of all types. She played board games, card games and Kismet with her children and grandchildren. She was a member of Sister Kennedy Centre and enjoyed all of their activities; especially bridge and the Senior Games. She served on the Board of Sister Kennedy Centre for a number of years.

Vera was an avid reader. When her eyesight deteriorated, she listened to many talking books. It was a challenge to find new and interesting reading materials for her as she had listened to most of the audio books in the library.

Funeral services will be held at Knox United Church in Fort Frances at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2013 with Reverend Barbara Miller officiating.

Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations in Vera's memory may be made to the Rainycrest Long Term Care Facility Activation Department, or to the Knox United Church Renewal Fund in care of Green Funeral Home, Box 427, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3M8

On-line condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com