It is with broken hearts and profound sadness that the family announces the peaceful passing of our most beloved mother, grandmother, and twice-over great-grandmother, Gwendoline (Oline) Mary Dunlop (nee Graham) at the age of 94. After a brief hospitalization for a fall, Oline was diagnosed with late-stage metastasized lymphoma, which she faced bravely, with determination and grace. Oline passed away in her home, surrounded by her loving family, honouring her final wishes. A selfless and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend, Oline was the epitome of warmth, caring and grace. An inspiration to all around her, she lived her life with honour, joy and optimism; a pillar of thoughtfulness, compassion, strength and faith for her family and all whom she knew. She nurtured all of her five children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren with tenderness, loving care, acceptance, and a strong moral fibre, giving of herself without reservation and not resting until her entire family (and any others in attendance) were welcomed, well-fed and cared for. All of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will strive to follow her example, going forward with hearts forever warmed and fortified by her love, strength and hope.
Beloved wife of the late John Blair Dunlop (predeceased March 15, 2016) to whom she was married for 61 years. Dear sister of Stanley(Jean, pre-deceased) and Hal Graham (predeceased). Oline will be deeply missed and forever in the hearts of her daughters and sons, and their families: Darlene (Rob), Heather (Terry), Norman, Sandra (Chris) and Blair (Sue). She will be forever remembered and cherished as “Nana” by the lights of her life, her eight doting grandchildren: Brennen (Alannah), Jaclyn (Keith), Ryan (Kate), Justin (Sarah), Kaley, Alexandra, Nathan and Marin and her great-grandchildren Owen and Ronin, all of whom will be her legacy and were her greatest joy. They learned so much from her determined and hard-working example and were so enriched by her support, encouragement and eternally positive approach. She, their greatest cheerleader, celebrated all their special occasions and accomplishments with love and gifts. As the daughter of a seamstress, she was an inveterate fashion-enthusiast; she especially loved taking her granddaughters on shopping expeditions. Oline will also be cherished and lovingly remembered in the hearts of her many cousins, nieces and nephews in Canada and abroad.
Oline was a strong, intelligent and creative woman who enjoyed, first and foremost, time spent with her family, relatives, and friends. Besides devoting her life to her family, her favourite pastimes included reading (the daily Toronto Star was a must), gardening, knitting, sewing, playing board games, bocce, line and square dancing, bargain hunting at garage sales, visiting friends and family, travelling, tea and wheaten bread or scones or Digestive biscuits and, of course, shoes. She was an excellent cook and baked wonderful desserts, especially apple pie. She delighted in decorating her home for every holiday and occasion. Oline was a dear and devoted friend who nurtured and treasured countless lifelong friendships.
Born in 1929 on a small farm in Tullynore near Hillsborough in Northern Ireland, Oline was the oldest child of Margaret (Daisy) and Hugh Graham. Farming life centred on simple daily routines, and underlined the importance of self-reliance, family and community. An excellent and well-regarded student, she began her work life as an assistant to the Director in the Transportation Department of the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Belfast.
Oline met her “husband-to-be” John, at a church social in 1950 and they were engaged two years later. In March of 1952, John made the brave decision at the age of 21 to strike out on his own and to come to Canada with his best friend, Sidney Kerr, to make a better life for himself and his fiancée Oline, with only $20 in his pocket. Two years later in March of 1954, at the age of 25, leaving behind her parents and brothers, Oline joined John in Canada, and they were married on April 28, 1954, at Leaside United Church by Reverend William Wallace, the father of Oline’s Aunt Marion. The newlyweds lived in a second floor apartment on Pharmacy Avenue in Scarborough for a short time, then moved into a one bedroom apartment at Coxwell and Gerrard where their first child, Darlene, was born in 1957. When John’s Sealtest milk delivery vehicle became motorized, he took a route in Willowdale, where he found their dream home; he and Oline settled there in March of 1959, with plans to expand and raise their family there. Shortly afterward, Heather was born in 1960, Norman in 1961, Sandra in 1963 and Blair in 1965. With five children in eight years, Oline coped with having so many little ones with even-tempered cheerfulness.
Oline’s life was enriched by her friends and extended family, both here and abroad, all of whom admired her for the incredibly kind and generous person she was. She welcomed everyone into her home to enjoy her home-cooked meals, famous baking, and warm-hearted hospitality. The quiet but strong matriarch of a large family, Oline was the glue that held her family together through good times and bad, and supported her husband John in all of his endeavours. Over and above a busy home life, Oline took on a number of part-time positions in various offices and was greatly appreciated in all. Once her children were all at school full-time, she volunteered at Sandra and Blair’s Junior High until approached by the vice-principal, who offered her full-time work as a teacher’s assistant; she thrived in this environment, fostering countless children in their academic and social development, and continued in this role until retirement.
John and Oline travelled extensively and she delighted in the memories they collected over the years from trips throughout Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe, the Far East, Hawaii, Fiji, Costa Rica, and Australia. Over the years, many happy hours were shared by the family, looking at photos and reminiscing about long car trips and wondrous sights. Oline loved to entertain and her household was the site of countless family dinners and happy celebrations. Oline was happiest when she was cooking up some sort of Sunday roast dinner feast for the family, which always included a delicious home-baked sweet or her wonderful apple pie - she loved her sweets, especially chocolate. She and John presided over countless family meals that were full of lively discussions, warmth, teasing, and laughter. Her ability in the kitchen was revered, and though many tried to duplicate her delicious apple pies, few were able to rise to the challenge. An intelligent, strong, kind, thoughtful, compassionate and determined woman devoted to her family, Oline’s legacy and her memory will be carried on by the growing family she deeply loved and the many friends she touched throughout her remarkable life. Oline showered unconditional love on her immediate and extended family members, nurturing each and loving all with equal measure.
Oline lived a life full of selfless love, kindness, and generosity; she will always be remembered as the rock who kept her family close - during the annual family reunions at cottages, birthdays, graduations and milestone get-togethers. She took an avid interest in all of her family’s activities and was especially delighted by her grandchildren’s accomplishments.
If you wish to honour Oline, a random act of kindness to a friend or stranger would continue her legacy of selflessness, and community service and involvement. Alternatively, a heartfelt hug of someone near and dear or reconnecting with family or friends would be a loving tribute to Oline.
We have many people to thank for their good thoughts, prayers, support and comfort. The medical system has been a blessing for us, especially over the past several years. Our sincere thanks to Dr. Marci Greenwald, North York General’s Fifth Floor West Nursing Station and Palliative Care Team (specifically Doctors Berlin, Mollanji, Kosta and Hoffman, as well as Nurses Lisa and Elida, and PSWs Karen and Shobha), with special thanks to her long-standing PSW Radika, whose love and caring were a joy to Oline in her last year. Without their compassion, warmth, care and assistance, the family could never have granted Oline’s request to spend her final days in her own home; the family have all been touched by this special privilege.
In accordance with Oline’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no funeral. She specified that her ashes be spread on the family farm and in the Mourne Mountains in her beloved Northern Ireland, and this will take place at a suitable time.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcomed to the North York General Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society. We also ask that you raise your teacup in a toast to her memory for a life well-lived. Her many friends and family in Ireland, Scotland, Australia, USA and Canada are invited to gather (in person, or virtually through a taped video the family will share) to honour her life’s journey at a Celebration of Life. It will be held on Sunday, May 5th from noon until 4pm (family tribute speech at 2pm) at Heintzman House, located at 135 Bay Thorn Drive, Thornhill, ON L3T 3V1. There is parking in the rear of the house (accessed from Royal Orchard Blvd), but it is somewhat limited; kindly consider car-pooling.
Family and friends are invited to send condolences and memories to the immediate family at Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries (6191 Yonge Street location)
This Irish proverb seems appropriate:
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind always be at your back,
May the sun shine warmly upon your face,
May the rains fall softly upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you gently in the palm of His Hand.
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