August 17, 1934 - August 4, 2022
The old saying it takes a village to raise a child is also true at the end of life. It takes a village to support a person in old age and when you pass on. Our beautiful mother Rose Harrison's village was Lake Country Manor and Lodge where she died, peacefully, on Thursday, August 4, 2022, ending her 13-year battle with dementia just short of her 88th birthday. On behalf of our mother, thank you to all the caring staff who helped her with her long journey. Predeceased by Robin, her loving husband of 48 years, she is survived by her children Julia Ambrozy, Diane Britton and David Harrison; grandchildren Eric, Alex, Daniela, Robert, and Rosalie; newly arrived great-grandchild Aria Ambrozy; as well as her children-in-law Andrew Ambrozy, Richard Britton and Donna Feronika.
Growing up with her 12 siblings in Depression era New Brunswick, "Rosie" (as she was affectionately known to her 6 sisters) combined her high intelligence, toughness and work ethic to strike out into the world at age 16, eventually becoming an Air Canada flight attendant with her lifelong friend, Ethna Plashkes. At a time when "married" women were not allowed to be flight attendants, she quit in 1961 in order to marry Robin.
Anyone who knew Rose knew she was not afraid to engage with anyone, regardless of their status. In this, she taught her children to be respectful to all but to revere none. She was a role model for community service for the sake of itself and had a long history of serving her community in Milton, Ontario. She served as member of Milton's Town Council for 12 years (1977 - 1988), the Milton Parks & Recreation Board, the Hospital Board, the Leisure Centre and the Allendale Manor Capital Fundraising Campaign among many community service activities. For this and many other reasons, she was named Milton's Citizen of the Year in 1988. She was particularly proud of the very well attended Festival of Countries multicultural festival that she organized in Milton in the early 1980s to showcase the many talents and cuisines of the various ethnic groups living in Milton.
Rose was one of those increasingly rare people who did these things to help her community and for no other reason. When Rose retired from her career at CIBC and moved to Westbank, BC in 1994 to be closer to her grandchildren, the (then and current) Mayor and friend Gord Krantz gave her a special plaque thanking Rose for her loyal and dedicated work during her years of service to the community.
Rose fought her one-sided battle with dementia with humour and grace - never lashing out or feeling sorry for herself but accepting it as it came. Dementia took her memory, her speech and eventually her mobility. But until the day she died, it could never take away the lively spark that burned so brightly within her.
She will be greatly missed by those who experienced her spirit, wit and generosity. She can now rest in peace.
Condolences, photos, and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com.
Springfield Funeral Home