Carol Peterson

Carol is predeceased by her parents Julian and Ida Cross, her loving Aunt Barbara, father of her children Lloyd Peterson, brother and sister-in law Allan and Carole Peterson, son-in-law Ron Morgan, niece Dove Dubois, and close friend Doris Holmgren.

She will be lovingly remembered by her three daughters, Barb, Shirley (Bill) and Carol (Dids) and her granddaughter Michelle. Also left to remember mom are her nieces and nephews Joey, Allana, Lorne, Shannon, and Tyler and sister-in-law Rose Derouard. Other special people left to mourn is lifelong friends/family Leslie Carlson and (“Miss”) Jodie Valenta, numerous friends and her beloved cat Thor.

Mom was born in Toronto and was raised at the family camp in Shoal Lake. She went to Balmoral School for Girls in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She often offered up the all-girls school to her own daughters advising them it was a very good option for them in their teenage years (mostly the two older ones)! She then went into nursing school at Victoria Hospital in Winnipeg and graduated in 1960. She had a great deal of pride being a nurse.

She started her career at St. Joe’s Hospital until it closed and then moved to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital. In 1975, Birchwood Terrace Nursing Home opened, and she took a nursing position in the new facility, being one of the first nurses they hired to care for the long-term care patients.

When mom put her uniform on, she was the epitome of what a proper nurse should be. She was all business. She was caring, thoughtful and an amazing patient advocate. She was always respected with her values as a nurse, and her kind heart was evident through her patient care. She was selfless, and never one for recognition. She often bought birthday or Christmas presents for patients who didn’t have family or were in need of something special (without them knowing). Many co-workers have a “Carol story” that they still share (often with a good impersonation of her). She had a strong work ethic which she instilled in her daughters. In her retirement, she volunteered at the hospital, doing different jobs including the stroke clinic. She met a lot of new and old friends there and looked forward to chatting with everyone she met.

Mom had the bluest eyes and always looked at her children and family with such love. She either had a look of love, or “the look” and you knew she meant business. Anyone who knew Carol, knew she was onto you when you got the side eye. She had such a witty personality, and you could never quite predict what saucy comment would be said. She had such an incredible fun spirit with a mischievous smile and a great sense of humor.

Mom had a quiet strength. She didn’t need a lot of things, and what mattered most to her was having the people she loved and cared for close. Knowing they were happy and cared for was most important to her and she always took the time to check in on everyone she loved. She looked forward to her regular calls to her dear friends Judy, Leslie, Nina, Diana and Kelly.

She had a soft spot for animals and always had dogs, cats and horses throughout her life. She enjoyed travel and held many cherished memories of trips with friends and her girls close to her heart. She shared many fabricated travel stories of her “restless” friends who were up to no good while she sat quietly reading a book. Never were the stories told without that famous little grin.

Her greatest pride was her girls. Nothing could make her smile more than one of them coming into the room or receiving a phone call from them. Her love and support was unwavering. A daughter is a reflection of a little girl who grows up to be her mother.

A graveside service will be held June 23, 2023 at 3:00pm at the Kenora Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kenora Cat Shelter or Its A Dog’s Life in honor of her love for animals.

To my daughters……….for all the things my hands have held, the best by far is you. Always remember to believe in yourself as much as I believe in you. I leave you three things, confidence to know your self- worth, strength to chase your dreams and my love for you to carry on.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Peterson family.