Obituary of Eunice Fleming

Fleming: Eunice Florence (Alias Eunicef, EFF, "Noonie") She was an accomplished mother, grandmother, artist, writer, designer, dressmaker, milliner, traveller and a stickler for proper English. Eunice died peacefully and with happiness at the Carveth Care Centre, Gananoque on Monday June 6, 2011. She is survived and greatly missed by her daughter Sherridaun of Aguillon, France, her son Rick (Esther), Gananoque, and her grandchildren Matthew T.A. (Nadia) of Toronto and Sarah Anne of Ottawa and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her former husband D.G. Fleming of Prescott and by sisters Lillian, Gertrude, Alma and by brothers Tom and Jackson. She was born May 7, 1917 in Aylmer, Quebec to Thomas Arthur and Theresa (Richards) Perry. She spent her youth on farms in Aylmer and Roebuck, ON in the care of a loving family. A product of the great depression she learned her practical skills and love of fabrics from her mother. As a young wife and mother she created clothes for family and friends and thousands of costumes for every dance recital in the 50's. Wedding dresses and prom gowns emerged despite the absence of patterns. No scrap of material was ever thrown out. They became wild shirts for many teenage boys. She broadened her horizons and learned upholstery, woodworking, slip covering and window coverings. All these skills were needed in her life ahead. When she took up art, she sketched all the new born babies from the Brockville Hospitals and donated many paintings for fund raisers. In her 50's she left for South Africa to visit friends she met in Europe. For the next 20 years she called Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Parts of Europe and Canada her home. Her travels were not luxurious. She worked her way with a sewing machine and her charcoal and paint brushes. Many, many families took in Eunice as she exchanged her skills for a roof over her head. Many children she helped raise have returned visits to her home in Gananoque and later Vancouver, considering her a mentor and second mother. At 70 she settled down in Vancouver and began to write about her experiences. All of her short stories have a twinkle to them. She loved to talk and inform and she held strong opinions. The family wishes to thank Dr. Sajed and the staff at Fox Run and Carveth Care Centre for their caring support. To the many worldwide friends who have sent condolences we thank you for touching Eunice's life like we knew she touched yours - with love. Donations may be made to the Brockville General Hospital's (Maternal Care Unit) 75 Charles Street Brockville, ON K6V 1S8 in support of Eunice's Life-Long love of babies. A celebration of Eunice's life will be held in September, 2011.