LYNDAWN JANE ‘DABBA’ ROSS

Lyndawn Jane “Dabba” Ross (nee Rahn), 66, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Oct 2, 2008.
She was born Aug. 12, 1942 (a wartime baby) in Truro, N.S. to Margaret and the late Jack Rahn, but moved to Barwick, Ont. when she was 10 days old and her Dad was off to join the war.
By the time the war ended, and her Dad returned, she was three years old. She grew up in the Barwick area surrounded by family and friends.
After graduating from Fort Frances High School, Lyndawn worked as a lab assistant at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances.
In October, 1962, she married the late Larry Tolton of Nestor Falls, Ont. They lived together in Nestor Falls, where they had two daughters and she began what would become her hallmark: the ability to do many different jobs–often at the same time! In her years in Nestor Falls, she was a school bus driver, a laundress, and camp worker.
They later divorced and in February, 1984, she married the late Bill Ross of Fort Frances and returned to La Verendrye Hospital, this time in the admitting office.
Since her retirement, Lyndawn had enjoyed spending time with her five grandchildren, travelling to visit family, and volunteering her services to many charities and organizations. She was a devoted member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she contributed to the church family in many ways.
She loved camping, canoeing, gardening, and entertaining her many visitors. She was known for her love of animals and nature.
Lyndawn loved music and gatherings where her laughter would fill a room. She played the piano, sang, and loved to dance. She was a wonderful friend, daughter, wife, sister, aunt, mother, and grandmother. Always ready to lend a helping hand, a word of advice, a hug, and a friendly smile.
Lyndawn was a tireless caregiver to all of those around her and was known for her ability to always be right where you needed her when you needed her the most. She had an incredible ability to help others see their way through any of life’s trials with her positive outlook. She will be sincerely missed by all whose lives she touched.
We wouldn’t be where we are without you, and we will continue to lean on you and depend on you—to use the incredible knowledge and lessons that you have taught us: to live in peace with all people, to gather, to eat, to sing, to cry, to laugh. In our days and nights, we will feel you, see you, hear you, and follow your wise words, “Give it to God.”
In stillness there is sorrow,
In stillness there is comfort,
In stillness you are here,
In stillness there is love,
In stillness there is compassion,
In stillness there are tears, in stillness there is you.
We are still.
Lyndawn will be greatly missed by her loving partner, Rod Carter; daughters, Cheri Whatley and partner, Tim Kresier, and her children, Cherstin and Mason, of Fort Frances, Ont., and Leisa O’Sullivan and husband, Patrick, and their sons, Liam and Tomas, of Invermere, B.C.; stepdaughter, Heather and husband, Wayne Haskett, and their son, Ross, of Sydney B.C.; her mother, Margaret Rahn of Fort Frances, Ont.; sister, Peggy Ann Rahn and children, Jonathan, Emily, and Aleesha, of Nanaimo, B.C.; and her many relatives and friends.
She was predeceased by her grandchildren, Aurora Dawn and Samuel David Whatley.
Family and friends gathered at Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Frances on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008 from 7-9 p.m. for visitation.
A celebration of Lyndawn’s life was held Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, with internment to follow at the Chapple (Barwick) Cemetery at 2 p.m. Pastors Brian Keffer and Ken Johnson will officiate.
The pallbearers will be Jonathan Huitikka, Heather Haskett, Paul Whatley, Pat O’Sullivan, David Gosbee, and Gary Blasky.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the United Native Friendship Centre food bank c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.