Aileen Jean (McLardy) Peterson

The family is very sad to announce Aileen Peterson's peaceful passing, at home at the age of 91, with her daughter by her side on August 3rd, 2020 after living with great strength and fortitude while battling stage-4 metastatic breast cancer.

Beloved wife of the late Dr. Con Peterson (1998). Dear daughter of the late Ray McLardy (1972) and the late Marion McLardy (nee Moore 1986). Loving mother of Alexandra Peterson (Stéphane). Beloved Nana of Nicholas, Erik (Lauren) and Kristofer. Dearest cousin of Nancy Genger (Dave) and Doug Moore. Special aunt to Shirley Kiproff (Jim), along with many other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Aileen lived her life for her grandsons and loved nothing more than to pick up the phone to hear their voices, or to enjoy her many visits with them in her home. Aileen was an intensely private person who chose to keep her final diagnosis a secret from everyone except family. In order to keep both feet firmly planted in the land of the living, she felt strongly that people didn’t need to know she was dying. As a result, the last 5 months of her life after her diagnosis were happily spent at home in her condo overlooking the water with her daughter and her daughter’s little dog, living her life, HER way. Aileen was a proud graduate of Windsor’s Salvation Army Grace Hospital School of Nursing (class of 1951) and it was there as a young student RN that she became known as “Mac”. It was also there in the operating room that she met and married her beloved husband of 40 years, Con, a surgeon with whom she worked alongside.

Everyone who knew her, knew of her great love of animals and how she was always sadly left to mourn after each one of her 5 beloved Dobermans (Romel, Max, Hilde, Thör & Roger) passed away. She wanted to share this poem, since she knew, and looked forward to the day that they would all be reunited:

The Rainbow Bridge

There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.

It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of all its beautiful colors.

Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows,

hills and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place.

There is always food and water and warm spring weather.

The old and frail animals are young again.

Those who were sick, hurt or in pain are made whole again.

There is only one thing missing,

they are not with their special person who loved them so much on earth.

So each day they run and play until the day comes

when one suddenly stops playing and looks up!

The nose twitches! The ears are up!

The eyes are staring and this one runs from the group!

You have been seen and when you and your special friend meet,

you take him in your arms and hug him.

He licks and kisses your face again and again -

and you look once more into the eyes of your best friend and trusting

pet.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together never again to be apart.

Author: unknown

Respectfully, with the health and safety of all our loved ones in mind, visitation will be held by appointment only on Thursday, August 6, 2020 from 4 – 9 pm at Walter D. Kelly Life Celebration Centre (1969 Wyandotte St. E. 519-252-5711). Graveside service to take place on Friday, August 7, 2020 at 2:00 pm at Park Lawn Cemetery in Etobicoke, On. Please phone the funeral home on Wednesday to book your time. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walterdkellyfuneralhome.com