LENA WHIDDON

In the warm and caring ambience of Birchwood Terrace, with family by her side, Lena Whiddon passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at the age of 88.
She is survived by her daughter, Jean (Earl) Kellar, and her sons, Kenneth (Dale), James (Suzanne), and Albert; her sisters, Eva Russell, Liz Holborn, and Louise Lambert; brother, Elwood (Denise) Marshall; and sister-in-law, Jan Marshall.
She also is survived by 20 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; and 16 great-great-grandchildren.
Lena was predeceased by Bill, her loving husband of 65 years; son, John; daughter, Betty; daughter-in-law, Marsha; brothers, Gilbert, Orn, and Stanley; sisters, Florence and her husband, Harley Lindley, and Myrtle and her husband, Marvin Covel; and brothers-in-laws, Orn Russell, Bob Holborn, and Fred Lambert.
Lena was born in Sprucedale, Ont. on June 2, 1921 to the late George and Rose Marshall. At the age of 12, she and her family moved to Burriss, Ont.
Once she finished school, she and her sister, Louise, travelled with their older sister, Florence, and her husband, Harley, to Fort St. John, B.C., where she worked for a few years before returning to Rainy River District.
In 1941, she married the love of her life, Bill Whiddon, in Devlin, Ont. and instantly became “Mom” to John, Jean, and Betty.
Their family continued to grow with the addition of three sons, Ken, James, and Albert.
In 1946, they moved to Armstrong, Ont., where they resided for six years before moving to Kenora, Ont.
Lena’s family always was the centre of her life. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and friend to all who knew her.
Lena was actively involved with her church, the U.C.W., the Women’s Institute, and 4-H. Her many talents included sewing, quilting, crocheting, knitting, weaving, and jewellery-making.
Family and friends enjoyed her creative talents as did shoppers at numerous church bazaars.
When Bill retired in 1972, they spent many years travelling the length and breadth of North America, including twice to Alaska, with several side trips to Mexico in their Holiday Rambler trailer.
Their love of family and their desire to travel led them to make many trips to Calgary and Fort St John, as well as southern Ontario. Always together, they (BilLena) wintered in Florida for 23 years.
Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of Lena’s life will be held Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 1 p.m. at Knox United Church in Kenora, with Rev. Matheson officiating, followed immediately by a reception in the church hall with luncheon to be provided by the Knox United Church Women.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to the Knox United Church, 116 5th Ave. S., Kenora, Ont., P9N 2A2 or Birchwood Terrace, 237 Lakeview Dr., Kenora, Ont., P9N 4J7.
Online condolences may be made at www.BrownFuneralHomeKenora.com