MARY ELLEN (CAUL) PARKIN

On Sunday, June 7, 2009, Ellen Parkin’s journey in life ended; surrounded by the family she loved unconditionally.
Ellen, a resident of Jasper Place in Thunder Bay, Ont., was born Dec. 21, 1916, in Langenburg, Sask. to William Caul and Martha Ann Strong.
In 1925, along with her parents and siblings, she moved to Rainy River, Ont. Later, the family took up residence in La Vallee, Ont. before moving to Fort Frances, Ont. in 1929.
Her parents operated a dairy farm at Frog Creek and the original farm still is operated by one of her nephews.
It was at her parents’ dairy farm that she met John George Parkin. He delivered milk for the farm and had a shine for the dairyman’s daughter.
George and Ellen wed on April 8, 1936 and moved to Rainy River, where they built their own home. They resided in Rainy River together for 44 years.
After George’s passing, Ellen moved to Fort Frances and then later to Thunder Bay to be closer to her family.
Ellen was active in the Rainy River agricultural and horticultural societies, as well as the church. Every year she “corned” the beef for the church’s annual “Jigg’s” supper.
Together, she and George started the Square Dance Club in Rainy River. When she moved to Fort Frances, she continued her square dancing there.
She also was an avid gardener and won many prizes at the Rainy River and Emo fairs for her produce and handiwork. She was well-known for her knitting, sewing, embroidery work, fruit cakes, butter tarts, and peanut butter cookies.
Ellen endeared herself to many people because of her zest for life and fun. Her passing will be mourned by people from coast to coast; people she always remembered on their special days with cards, letters, and phone calls.
Many people called her “mom” or “grandma.”
She and George loved to travel, especially when they could incorporate square dance jamborees into their trips across Canada and the United States. After George’s passing, she continued to look forward to her annual trips with her daughters.
She was predeceased by her parents, Martha and William Caul; husband, George Parkin; and siblings, Eva Boland, Florence Drennan, Annie Sullivan, and Harry and Stephen Caul.
She is survived by her daughter, Harriet (Gilbert) Renaud of Thunder Bay, Ont. and Georgette (Glenn) Rawlings of Sapawe, Ont.; grandchildren, Terry Renaud, Gordon (Debra) Renaud, Rae Ann (Rob) Westerback, and Wendy (Craig) Huotari of Thunder Bay, Ont; and great-grandchildren, Steven and Darryl Renaud, and Matthew Westerback of Hinton, Alta., and Dallas Renaud, Ashley Westerback, and Lyndsay, Kayla, and Travis Huotari of Thunder Bay, Ont.
Also surviving are her sisters-in-law, Dorothy and Mary Caul of Fort Frances, Ont.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews throughout Canada and the U.S.
She also will be remembered by her “adoptive” children, Pam and Paul Money of Atikokan, Roger Cannon of Oshawa, and Gordienna Drennan of Rainy River; as well as special friends, Marg Rogozinski of Fort Frances, Phoebe Mosley of Atikokan, Dolly Proteau of Winnipeg, Jessie Martinson of Vancouve, Peggy Livingstone of Rainy River, and Rose Bilinski and Else Couch of Jasper Place.
Cremation has taken place.
A celebration of Ellen’s life will take place Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Knox United Church in Fort Frances.
Her ashes will be interred at Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances beside George, the love of her life.
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations to the Knox United Church Lift Fund (Fort Frances) or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.