Tribute

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I lost my beautiful mother, Maureen Ann Merrifield, on November 27, 2019.  She passed away peacefully, in her sleep, following a sudden aneurysm.  Mom was in Cowichan Bay, with her close friend  Marilyn when she died.

Mom was born in England on December 13, 1942 and emigrated to Canada as a teenager.  After numerous jobs, she put herself through college to become a social worker.  Throughout all of this, she was a single mother of 3 children.  Mom loved listening to music, in the house and the car.  We would dance and sing for hours.  We had our friends around all the time while growing up because mom welcomed everyone to our home.

She was a creative soul who would sit for hours painting and drawing.  It was an activity she liked to share with her grandchildren.  She was also an avid reader and writer.  Mom had a very spiritual connection to the ocean, and loved to spend time there with her loved ones.

She is survived by me and my family, Abby, David, Madeleine and Dillon Rivers.  She also has a grandson, Joshua Wonnick.  She had a special love for, and connection with, all of her grandchildren.  She also had another Joshua in her life who was like a son to her and a brother to me.  Her friend Marilyn has been by her side always and had offered her home to mom when she couldn’t live alone any longer.

Mom’s two sisters, Janice and Kim, two brothers, David and Keith and her mother, Irene have all survived her.  She loved each and every one of them.  Sadly, Mom lost her other two children, Jody and Jordan, before she passed away. It brings me comfort to know that they are now together.  Rest in peace mother.