Verna Roy

Verna was born on September 2, 1922 to Mary and Michael Halawaty and spent her early years in Rainy River, Ontario until moving with her family to Fort Frances. After High School, Verna attended Success Business College in Winnipeg after which she was employed by C.N. Telegraph until her marriage. Verna met the love of her life, Roland Roy, while still in high school and after their marriage at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Winnipeg on April 12, 1944, she embarked upon a train journey to Sydney, N.S. where Roland was stationed in the Air Force. During the remaining war years the couple lived in Sydney as well as Halifax before returning to Winnipeg, then back to Fort Frances where they raised their three children. Verna was an accomplished homemaker and was always busy either with the children or helping the nuns or doing volunteer work. She was a life member of CWL of St. Mary’s Parish in Fort Frances and was still on the phoning committee as late as last year before she became ill. She was also a long time member of the Laverendrye Hospital Auxiliary. Verna loved curling and she and Roland took part in many bonspiels in Fort Frances and in Minnesota over the years. At age 55 she took up golf and excelled at that too! The only feat it seemed she couldn’t accomplish was getting up on water skis—she tried many times over the years and was always teased that this was the only thing she couldn’t master. But, she loved the lake and she and Roland and the children spent every summer at their cabin first at MacDonald’s Inlet, then at Bear’s Pass. When Roland retired, he and Verna bought a house in Lake Worth, Florida where they spent many happy winters, returning to their beloved Rainy Lake cabin for the summer months. Verna was a fabulous and much-loved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt, and Friend. She particularly loved children and doted on her neighbour’s little ones before she moved to her apartment. Verna is survived by her three children, Roline Maconachie (George) of Orillia, On, Tim Roy of Brantford, On, and Kim Roy (Patricia) of Fort Frances, 9 grandchildren, Devon Parker, Tim Parker , Allyson Hilbert , Lauren Roy, Matthew Roy, Amanda MacFarlane , Roland Roy, Christoph Kotyk and Travis Chabot, her beloved Great Grandchildren, Ellis Parker, Jude Parker, Peyton MacFarlane, Abigayle Kotyk and many nieces and nephews, all whom she loved dearly. She was predeceased by her Mother and Father, her husband, Roland, brother, Maurice Halawaty, and sister, Julie Hegg. Mom was a very humble person and never truly realized how much she did for everyone in her life. She was always there for anyone who needed an ear and spread love wherever she went. She was an accomplished cook and could entertain at the drop of a hat. Her priority, always, was her family. She was a woman of great faith and very devoted to the Catholic Church. During the last years of her life she became a feisty political debater and kept us entertained with her ideas. Mom, we will all miss you more than you could ever imagine, but we are relieved that your suffering is over and that you are now reunited with Dad and safe in God’s hands.

A Funeral Mass will be said in Verna’s honour on Monday, September 29th 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church with Father Victor De Gagne officiating. Honorary Pallbearers are her grandchildren, her nieces and nephews, her children’s spouses and her many numerous special friends

In memoriam donations may be made to either St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church Building Fund or Rainycrest Long Term Care Memorial 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