We sadly announce the passing of our beloved mother, Lois Lorraine Murison (nee Leedham) on December 15th, 2017. Born October 9th, 1931, in Toronto, Ontario to Thomas and Bertha Leedham (nee Coe), Mom was premature and weighed only 2 lbs. She was not expected to survive, but even then was incredibly fearless and strong. She overcame all odds and her parents brought her home.
Her own loving mother passed when Mom was just 9 years old. Shortly thereafter Isabel Leedham (nee Huddleston), lovingly known by Mom and our family as “Billy” (D. 1999) embraced Mom and her siblings as her own. Mom’s brother Norman passed in 2014 and her sister Joyce passed in 2008.
Mom had an adventurous spirit and as a child embraced a wide spectrum of activities including horseback riding, piano, swimming and many other things. She could be found riding a horse through the orchard and hanging from an apple tree. She excelled at everything she put her mind to.
In 1951, Mom enlisted as a Wren in the Canadian Navy. She was proudly serving her country when met our father, John Beverly Murison (d. 2016). Mom and Dad married on May 15th, 1953 and soon after welcomed 5 children into their lives: Judith in 1955, Linda in 1956 (d.1958), Janet in 1959, Peter in 1959 and Melody in 1961.
Mom loved life and was an incredible role model for everyone. She was a powerful force; strong, brave and relentless whenever she was faced with adversity. She taught us all so much and instilled in us core values which we all maintain to this day.
Mom was an adoring grandmother to all of her grandchildren: Jennifer (Derrick), Beth, Todd, Dustin (Paige), Whitney (Josh), Nichole, Erik, Kristen (Josh) and Nicole (Casey). Her great grandchildren, Alora, Rachel, Benjamin, Evelyn, Ruby, Olivia and Weston were also her pride and joy.
Mom will be missed by her sister-in-law and best friend Marjorie and her lifelong friends, Norma and Irene. She will also be missed by so many others whose lives she enriched.
Many who make “mother-in-law” jokes would be stopped in their tracks by our Mom. She embraced everyone as family and was a loving and caring mother-in-law to Kim (Peter), Mark (Melody), Carl (Janet), David and Knute. She held them all in her heart as members of her family.
To list all of the charities she donated to or describe her other accomplishments within the community would be a monumental task. She was active within the community right up to the time of her passing. We must acknowledge her never ending attendances at the Blood Donor Clinic to give blood and many years of involvement in the Second City Civitan Club.
A private internment and celebration of Mom’s life will take place in the spring, Mom’s favourite time of year. The celebration will be held on Saturday, May 26th, 2018 starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 147, 410 St.Vincent Street, Barrie, Ontario. We welcome all family and friends to this celebration.
In lieu of flowers, Mom would have appreciated that donations be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Barrie Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Mom you are forever in our hearts.