Vera “Rocky” Woods passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008 at her residence at Rainycrest in Fort Frances, Ont.
Rocky was born in Montreal, Que. on Sept. 6, 1916 to Thomas and Julia Rawcliffe. She resided in Montreal until 1924, when her family moved to England, returning to Canada in 1928.
She resided in Montreal until 1939, during which time she joined the Volunteer Reserve Corps, where she attained the rank of sergeant major. It was during this time Rocky worked in an aircraft factory in Quebec as a riveter, building the wings on Harvard aircraft.
During World War II, Rocky joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943, where she served with distinction as a motor transport driver until 1945. It was while serving in the air force that she met her future husband, Alex Cameron, whom she married in 1944 at Station 19 SFTS in Vulcan, Alta.
Rocky and Alex settled in Fort Frances after the war, where she enjoyed life as an above average baseball player, dart player, well-known singer, and career taxi driver and school bus driver. She loved singing at the local Legion Br. 29, where she served on the executive and was an active member for more than 60 years.
Another great joy in Rocky’s life was her love of animals. She always surrounded herself with dogs and cats of all description. They were Ken and Rocky’s family.
Rocky was predeceased by her first husband, Alex, in 1954; her second husband, Ken, in April of 2000; and her stepson, Jack Cameron, in December of 2000.
Rocky spent her last years with her extended family in Rainycrest. Once settling into her new surroundings, she appreciated all the kindness and care she received and realized this was a good place to be.
Cremation has taken place in International Falls, Mn.
A memorial service at Rainycrest, and interment at Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances, will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, if friends wish to donate, her passion was “Fort Frances Friends of Animals Foundation,” P.O. Box 545, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8 or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Rocky’s favourite quote, “Backyard Dogs” (Edith Lassen Johnson):
“I wish someone would tell me what it is that I’ve done wrong. Why do I have to stay chained up and left alone so long?
“The children never walk me, they always say, ‘not now.’ I wish that I could please them, would someone tell me how.”
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