We are so sorry at the passing of your beloved mother. She was a great soul and I am sure that she will be sadly missed. Please take some solice from the fact that she has gone to join her husband and take support from each other the best that you can
Dear Virginia,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom's passing. I guess I didn't get to know her quite as well as I did your dad but I think we got along quite well and found her quite a thoughtful and well-centered companion on those times we met.
I'm sure it must have been very difficult for your mom to cope with Doug's passing, especially now in this cruel bite of winter. Now, it will be extremely tough on you and Miriam's other family, the passing of both coming so close together. I guess I was luckier than you (if you can call it that) in that there was almost two years of a gap following my mom's passing before my dad did.
I noticed in your message that your mom's maiden name was Kerr and that made me think that there is a tiny chance that you and I are distantly related through a marriage of my mother's brother (some seventy years ago) to Margaret Kerr, a professional singer and a lovely, lovely aunt to me. She and my uncle moved from Toronto to Kingston where they spend most of their lives.
I hope that you will in time find that the pain is easing but that the wonderful memories of your parents will shine as brightly for you as those of mine still do for me, some forty years after they left me behind.
My own life right now is still tied up with serious medical issues of myself, my wife, my sister. But I shall be thinking of you frequently in the days to come.
Fondly,
John Friedlander
PS I sent this to the address you gave me and it was bounced back twice.
My heartfelt condolences to Virginia and family. My deepest thoughts and prayers are with you during this great loss.
Lina
We extend to the nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren our sincere sympathy in the loss of a dear sister, Miriam will be remembered for her quiet nature but always full of love in all around her. Her family was so important to her they will all miss her love but know she loved them deeply. Rest in peace dear Miriam, we will miss you but know you are not in any pain anymore.
Miriam and Doug were colleagues and good friends from the day in July 1970 that I started teaching at Scarborough College. Then, when Jan and I became a couple and bought a house in Scarborough, the house we chose was next door to the Halls. Since Jan was also a passionate gardener, they gardened together while Doug and I played Go.
Miriam was a wonderful mother, as we could see firsthand as she integrated us into her family, and as the children came to treat us as members of their extended family too. It was (and still is) a pleasure to see how fiercely protective they are of each other, and to realize how that so reflects their mother.
I will also, always, remember Miriam for her friendly and honest approach to others, and to her warm friendship, which lasted and strengthened, even after Jan and I had moved to the U.S. in1999.