I just heard the news from Betsy...so sad...please accept my condo\lences

Lyla and ian The world is a lesser place with the loss of  Dawn but a better place for having her.  She was an gracious and thoughtfull person that incuraged thoughts and ideas of every kind.  Sorry for you losses over the past year.

Dear Lyla, dear Ian, we were very sad to hear of your mother's passing. Your mother and father have been such great friends to our parents and us and we have beautiful memories of your parents and staying at the house on Fairy Bay. Shortly after hearing the news, Jan drove past Huntsville on his way to a wedding in Commanda. The wedding was at a property on Rye road. Tears were shed and toasts were made in your parents' honour. Our sincere condolences to you and your families.

Some things I am about to say, I wish Dawn could hear. Other things must remain a secret between us, forever.
 
As a child, Dawn was to me like a Queen bearing gifts from afar; instead of Frankincense, Incense and Myrrh she offered consumer treasures from the magnificent planet of Toronto.  As a turbulent teen, I viewed Dawn as skilled in managing a family and a household, in parenting and appliance-shopping, and I pledged never to acquire these skills.  I appraised conservative political views and an over-reliance on beige clothing and I swore to be a liberal dressed in black.  As a young adult, I detected an uncanny ability to match lipstick colors to party dresses, a tolerance for the most absurd contemporary art and an unfailing loyalty to family.
 
She treated me like a normal child, choosing not to dwell on my bad manners, perpetually neglected hair, inappropriate handling of utensils, bizarre dietary predilections and a tendency to raise socially challenging questions or issues at inappropriate times.  Occasionally she might field new options, in the form of open-ended questions such as, “we could take up the issue of euthanasia after dinner,” or, for example, “I hear that camel-haired hairbrushes are effective at bringing the shine back.”  I was never made to feel like the misfit I was.
 
And when opportunities were presented to me, I usually failed to make the best of them.  I was invited to join Dawn for a solo performance by the great violinist Yehudi Menuhin.  I dressed up. I wore black.  I fell asleep less than 15 minutes into the concert and woke to the sound of the standing ovation.  Dawn said not a word.  Perhaps it was understood that I was working hard at school while holding down a full-time job. Perhaps Dawn calculated that I needed sleep more than I needed to hear another rendition of the Bruch violin concerto in G-minor.  I will never know.
 
When I was invited to be the date of a dashing man to a ball in Toronto, Dawn was delighted.  She persuaded Lyla to lend me a ruffled taffeta dress; nothing else about me was altered for the occasion. Dawn smiled as I waited at the door for my date to arrive, appreciating that I didn't look half bad in black taffeta.  And then in the nicest way possible she offered that a touch of red on black would make me look like a princess.  And I accepted the dare and walked out the door with lips from a Maybelline ad.  And when my date ordered champagne at the pre-ball restaurant, I took great pains to curl my bottom-lip outward on the glass and preserve the starlet look as long as possible.
 
During one memorable week in the old schoolhouse in Huntsville, I came equipped with 6 novels, if memory serves.  The Rye clan came equally accoutered:  fiction, non-fiction, biography, autobiography, poetry, management tomes, legal articles; you name it, they had it.  We sat on the benches, reclined on chairs, lay supine on loft beds and basked in the heat from the fireplace, engrossed in good literature.  The weather outside was frightful.  Communication was limited. We ate when we were hungry. But the literature was delightful.  To this day – oh, the places I've been – I have yet to experience a more enjoyable vacation. 
 
 
Once and only once, I went into her bedroom when she was not there. There was a tiny vial of perfume on the dresser and I sampled it on the pad of my index finger.  It was a scent from another world, a scent of promise, an extraordinary elixir signaling success, happiness and love.  
 
Today I walk out the door every morning with the same perfume: a permanent reminder of Dawn.  Today, I strive to give the children in my life the same degree of unconditional love and acceptance, as well as use of perfume and lipstick, and the opportunity to grow at a pace not dictated by Constitution or convention. Dawn wanted the best for me and accepted that I might not get there by the most direct route.
 
In our last communication, Dawn told me that I had found my proper path.  And I was grateful for her approbation.
 
Dawn denied treatment for her aggressive illness, and chose not to have a funeral.  After all, she was not a lady in black, she was a lady in beige. Beige is the new black in my world.  Thank you Dawn Rye.

Dear Lyla and Ian,
I am so sorry to hear about your Mom`s passing. She was a special lady and was so proud of you all and shared some wonderful stories with me when I last saw her.
Please know that my thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.

Dear Ian, Lyla and family,
Jean and I were so saddened to hear of your Mothers passing. We take comfort in knowing that Robert and Dawn are together again watching proudly over you all.

Dear Lyla and Ian:
Betty and I  wish you to know that while forewarned, our deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. We are thankful that Dawn lived her last days embracing things she enjoyed.
We who knew your mother through Bob know how much he relied on her for his own achievements. Now they are both gone remember that you have much to be proud of and thankful for.
Betty and Don Wakefield , Picton,ON.

Dear Ian and family,
I was so very saddened to hear of your Mother's passing. Words are of course totally inadequate when trying to bring solace at a time of such deep grief- but no all of us in your extended ' arts' family are reaching out to you now and sending you thoughts of grace and strength. Your beautiful mother left a legacy of such joy and richness that the comfort of a life lived well stays with you always. Love Glynis Leyshon

Dear Lyla,  I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your mom.  Thank you for sending me the obituary.  Your mom sounds as if she was an interesting woman; she must have been an inspiration to you.  I didn't know that she was an artist and an architect!  I am thinking of you during what I'm sure is a difficult time for you, John, Lena and the rest of your family.   My sincere condolences.

Dear Lyla and Ian,
My deepest sympathy to you both. I think the best parts of our relationships with our parents stay with us throughout our lives. Your Mom contributed and encouraged so many wonderful qualities and habits which are a part of you and your children.

Dear Lyla and Ian,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful photo of your Mom, and the story of her life. We're thinking of you and the rest of your family at this difficult time.

Dear Ian and Lyla, I so enjoy reading these stories, learning about your mom and seeing her beauty in this photograph. My heartfelt condolences to you both.  Patrick

Lyla & Ian,
Your mom will be missed.
I will always remember her generosity in providing money to help me attend university.
I also so appreciated that she facilitated sending us bags of your clothes when you had outgrown them.  We were always so excited to see what our stylish older cousin was passing down :)
I am sure it was out of a real compassion for my Dad that she hired him to do cabinetry — a real help during those lean years.
And a great memory I will always cherish was the magical cross-country skiing we did with your family — the snow laden boughs providing instant snowfall when jostled by our fun-loving fathers as we skied underneath.

Many hugs.

Your cousin,
Bonnie

Although our relationship with Robert and Dawn started as a business venture, over the years a friendship developed.  We spent many hours with them both talking about our business and then on to personal matters about their trips, family and their interests.  Bill had a rare opportunity to spend an hour with Robert on his last visit to the cottage in Muskoka which was very important to him.  Robert always gave us a lot of advice and assistance when we needed it.  Dawn was always the strong person at his side.  They will truly be missed by both of us.  We had a relationship for 12 years that ended up as a friendship.  They spoke often of their family and the strong bond they had with them and we both send our condolences to the family.

Over the years, we have had many good visits with Dawn. The last time we sat down together for a chat and catch-up was at Bob's Memorial. We reminisced about birthday and anniversary gatherings Bob and Dawn hosted for Mr and Mrs Rye, and how much they were enjoyed and appreciated.We also met Dawn's parents on their Muskoka visits, and remarked how much Dawn and her Dad resembled each other. Her aunt was a 'hoot' at Lyla's wedding. We al
l had such a happy funfilled and relaxed day.
Many visits at the 'school  house' cottage, and the other three Muskoka abodes cemented our friendship.
Bob was the lawyer, Dawn was the perfect mate for him: she was an in control person and he respected that. [No arguments in front of others]
We enjoyed and often discussed our artistic projects on our visits together.
Dawn's most generous ans selfless act was to invite John, our son, to live with their family while attending his first year at O.C.A.How much easier it was for us to wave good bye when he was leaving with friends--like family--rather than sending him off to the unknown alone.
Dawn would want us to remember these good memories, and we will; but it's still very emotional to look at her picture with an abundance of white hair and that ready to break smile and not feel sad that she can't sit down for a chat. We must do better at keeping in touch. John still has to show the grand kids the big old pine tree that their Grandfather climbed. As well I think Mark promised some water ski enthusiasts a spin around Paint Lake.
Our love and sympathy goes out to Lyla,Ian and their families.
 Sincerely Ruth and John McLennan

When I first connected with the Windatt and Graham families the warmth of the welcome from Dawn and Robert was a great help in meeting any awkwardness in the situation. Time at Fairy Bay and visits to the Coast cemented a friendship that I will continue to treasure. I am in awe of the choices Dawn made as the end became apparent and hope to have the same courage. My love and that of Judy go out to Lyla, Ian and their families.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Mrs. Dawn Edna Windatt Rye

3 janvier 1935 – 29 juin 2014

Trull Funeral Home & Cremation Centre

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