“Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us everyday. Unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed, and held so dear.” - unknown
Loving, vibrant, caring, and social are how we will remember mom. Lexan, age 71, of Port Carling, passed away suddenly, December 18th, 2023, while in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. Lexan was the beloved wife of David Wheaton for 48 years. Cherished mother of Alec (A.J.) Wheaton and his. wife Leisa. Loving Grandma to Remington (Remy) and Lachlan. Dear sister of April (Bill Huxley) of Niagara Falls and Sara (John Nichols) of Port Dover. Predeceased by her father, Francis J. Petrie and grandparents Greta and Jim McBurney.
Lexan grew up in Niagara Falls and attended Loretto Academy, a private all-girls school, graduating at the age of 17. Lexan entered the Toronto General Hospital School of Nursing, September 1969 and graduated in June of 1971. She was the youngest in her class and a registered nurse at the age of 19. After graduation, she became a ward nurse at Toronto General Hospital, soon after becoming the youngest head nurse at TGH. Lexan and Dave had met each other many times, through various social gatherings with mutual friends from Ryerson Polytechnical Institution during their time there. One day, in 1974, Dave called up Lexan’s roommate to go for a drive in his new Datsun 240z, but Lexan answered the phone and promptly let Dave know the roommate was not home, but she was available to go. They took the car for a drive to the cottage and Lexan made dinner for the two of them, which consisted of toast, because we all know how well her cooking skills are. She also let Dave know during this trip, she wanted 4 sons. Surprisingly, Dave did not run (maybe he was too hungry) and this was the beginning of their love story, marrying May 17th, 1975, in Niagara Falls.
Moving to Kingston for Dave’s work, Lexan then began as an emergency nurse in Kingston, in 1975. In 1976, Lexan began working at Oshawa General (Lakeridge Health Oshawa), beginning as an emerge nurse and moving up to a discharge planner and finally an administrative nursing position, where she retired from in 2010. After a year of retirement, Lexan wanted to continue helping others and took a position as a Resident Service Manager at Gravenhurst Manor Retirement home until 2012.
After many great years building their careers, travelling, cottaging and enjoying time with friends, they started a family. Alec John (A.J.) was born, May 20th, 1986. A.J. is and always will be her pride and joy. Although Lexan would still say she wanted 4 sons, having one perfect son, was all she needed and had. Lexan shared her love with her fur babies, Bond (1998 – 2012) and then Bonnie, who she loved to pamper with peanut butter, cookies and treats. Dave will do his best to keep this routine and ensure Bonnie continues to get the extra love Lexan gave her daily.
When A.J. and his wife, Leisa, married in 2012, they took the same path as Lexan and Dave and waited to start a family. When they did announce that they were having a boy in Feb 2020, Lexan was overjoyed to know she was going to have a grandson, flying home to meet him from her winter vacation home. She loved her little Remy and spoiled him like a grandma should. When her second grandson, Lachlan, was born in August 2022, she got to work spoiling him as well. Although Remy only had a few short years with Grandma, those years were filled with love, laughter, trucks, bubble baths, the beach and of course Grandma’s winter home in Sunset Beach. This fall, Lexan was able to spend a lot of time with Lachlan and Daddy while daddy was on parental leave. Lachlan and grandma would often be found playing with mini sticks and making music, including singing together. Her grandchildren were her true excitement in life and she was thrilled that these boys would be the fifth generation to enjoy the cottage. She loved her little boys and couldn’t wait for her next visit with them. Remy had Grandma wrapped around his little fingers and she wouldn’t have changed a thing. She will be greatly missed by all her boys.
Lexan loved being on the dock and entertaining cottage neighbours with copious amounts of snacks. She loved her YellowTail, shoes, purses, and shopping for good deals on the buy and sells (especially for her grandsons)! She had exquisite taste in clothing and jewelry and was a great bargain hunter, supporting her love of fashion. Lexan was very active in both the Bala/Muskoka and Sunset Beach, NC communities, including being a member of the Bala/Port Carling United Church, The Elderberries Choir, Bala Legion, as well as the YMCA, Aquafit, Bala Babes, Calabash Seniors Center, Sea Trail Village Activity Center, and other various social groups. Everyone who had the pleasure of interacting with Lexan, knows their world will not be the same. She was one incredible person who we can’t imagine our life without her in it.
A favourite quote of Lexan’s was, “I'm always grateful for the mess after a party because it means I've been surrounded by good friends and family” We plan to make a mess this spring as we celebrate Lexan’s life, in Bala, Ontario, Canada. More details will be shared at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, we would ask you to donate to a pet charity or shelter of your choosing.
Our sincere gratitude for everyone who has reached out and have shared such fond memories of Lexan. We look forward to continuing to read these memories on Lexan’s Facebook wall.
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