Contributions to the tribute of Nora Crerar

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Alyssa posted a symbolic gesture

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Hi grandma : I forgot to mention that you and grandpa would be so proud of me -I got my high school diploma, graduated one collage program with honour roll and I’m currently going back to school for vet assistance with my average in the 90s after only 9 weeks

J

Judi Crerar posted a condolence

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

As a child I remember your family arriving at the farm for a visit and your mother stepping out of the car looking effortlessly stylish. She had mastered the ‘capsule wardrobe’ before it was ever a ‘thing’. I am sure she must have felt like she was in foreign territory when she looked at the basic living conditions for the weekend and inhaled the livestock smell but she never let it show. She was energetic, bubbly and enthused to greet us. Her positivity was unwavering. She was game for anything and never declined to join in with rural life. She asked us ‘grown up’ questions about school and activates and praised our accomplishments declaring that she could never have done the same herself. I knew this wasn’t true because beneath her appearance, which my mother likened to a ‘china doll’ was a no-nonsense, determined woman. No adversity was going to defeat her or keep her from moving ahead or perhaps even mess up her gorgeous dark curls. She was tiny but never to be overlooked. I remember one Christmas she sent us a large box of books published by Ginn. What a treasure! We were a family of readers and to receive band new books that we could keep was memorable and a welcome relief from the musty smelling, limited selection of books that was available at the one room school we attended. I knew she worked at Ginn publishing for an executive and I thought that this along with living in Toronto was aspirational. I dreamed of dressing up smartly and going to work in an office. I went so far as to take courses in typing and shorthand in high school in an attempt to achieve this. Alas my lack of proficiency in either subject derailed this idea. But her visits to the farm and conversations about her work did reveal another world outside of the small rural community I was living in and encouraged me to think of a life beyond Bruce County. Your mother taught me that it was better to have a few quality pieces rather than a lot of substandard goods. She mentioned waiting to be able to get a dining room set from Gibbard and I had no idea what that was. Only later did I discover that many Canadian embassies were kitted out in in this fine quality furniture. I try to resist consumerism and purchase a few useful, quality pieces for myself. I am not always successful but it is a good habit to develop. When I married she sent me a very generous amount of money as a gift and I purchased some high quality kitchen knives (that I still have and use) and I think she would have approved of that purchase. Grandma Crerar said that she had never seen anyone keep house the way your mother did. She told us that she had seen your mother wash the dustpan after it was used. I think of this sometimes when I bang my dustpan against the inside of the garbage can and then toss it into a corner in the basement. She was detailed orientated and efficient in her work but did not micromanage a situation. She seemed unconcerned when you were roaming around the farm with your cousins, climbing to heights in the barn or getting close to cattle or exploring the bush. She seemed to have a firm belief in common sense and a quick lesson in logical consequences if necessary. When my parents asked why you were planting trees and had not taken a direct path from high school to post-secondary education, your mother did not express concern. She believed that when you wanted something else you would make that happen and she accepted your choices. She seemed like the antithesis of a ‘helicopter’ parent and it appears that she got it right. You were fortunate to have her as your mother and I counted myself lucky to have her in my life as well.

A

Alyssa lit a candle

Monday, January 20, 2025

Thank you for being an amazing grandma to me - I’ll always love you and miss you , I’m sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye - fly high grandma I love you

I

The family of Nora Crerar uploaded a photo

Sunday, January 19, 2025

In loving memory of

Nora

1925 - 2025