Remembering Vera Lea

Lea, Vera Lila (nee Smith)

April 9, 1915 – January 8, 2017

It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of loss that we announce the passing of our loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Vera Lea, who passed away peacefully in her home in Midland as was cherished wish, surrounded by her loving and adoring family, on Sunday January 8, 2017 in her 101^st year. Vera has been reunited with her loving husband of 68 years, Frank Lea, who passed in June 2007. Cherished mother of Gary and Sandra Lea. Beloved grandmother of 6, Chris lea, Darcy Lea (Michelle), Mark Lea (Sandra), Steven LePage (Janice), Paul LePage (Sheri), and Sherri LePage Farbin (Rob). Great grandmother of Amanda & Brandon Lea, Matthew Gauvreau (Stephanie), Taylor & Madison Lea, Miranda & Reece Lea, Kristin & Dustin LePage, Charis, Hannah And Jessa Lea Farbin, and Julie & Roxy Rannelli (Taylor); and Great- great grandmother of Hannah & Ellie Gauvreau, Aurora Starostic, and Jake & Aubrey Miville.

Vera Was Predeceased by her parents Laura & Elmer Smith of Midland, and also by 9 siblings, 3 sisters, Edyie, Hunna, and Dorothy; and by 6 brothers, Harold (Curly), Donald (Chubb), Ray, Clarence (Bud), Arthur and Duke Smith.

Mom will be remembered for her unconditional love for her family, always putting others first, and her love of entertaining family and friends. She was the most amazing and consummate cook and hostess. She made the best pork roast and roast potatoes and gourmet jellied salad and myriad of other recipes gleaned from hours of looking through her many cookbooks and tagging her next beautiful creations. Baking was her forte and we always had joyous celebrations of birthdays and Christmas when we were treated with some of her most popular family favourites, Christmas sugar cookies cut-outs with the best ever icing and sprinkles, her delectable lemon tarts made from scratch, and the scrumptious oatmeal cookies that sometimes had to be hidden from the cookie monster or they would disappear instantly! Besides her enjoyment of browsing cookbooks, she pursued ongoing lifelong learning through her voracious reading, something up to five books a week from the library. Vera had a creative spark that revealed itself in many forms. Shae loved to sew and smocked beautiful dresses for her daughter and granddaughters. She also won Millinery awards for the creative hats she made. She was an avid curler living in Northern Ontario, and she loved to watch all of the curling tournaments on television.

Mom had wonderful sense of humour and a beautiful, contagious smile that lit up the room. She will be dearly missed by all those who were blessed to have called her a dear friend. Her family will miss her dearly and mourn her passing, but will celebrate her well-lived, beautiful life and will cherish her memory. Her generosity, creativity and strength lives on in her children and grandchildren. She will be missed but never forgotten.

A Celebration of Vera’s long and happy life will take place in Spring, date to be determined. She was an angel that has been asked to return to heaven, who we are proud to call “our Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma”. Cremation has taken place funeral arrangements entrusted to Carson Funeral Homes – JH Lynn Chapel, 290 First Street, Midland (705) 526-6551.  .