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Edith Lenz

5/10/2021

17 Comments

 
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Today we honor and remember our Mother.
 
On behalf of our family, we are sharing with loved ones the passing of our Mother Edith Lenz on May 10th, 2021 just before her 81st birthday. Mom has been battling kidney disease for the past 6 years and fought hard to have this additional time with her family and friends. 
 
Edith leaves behind three children Roy Lamoureux, Richard Lamoureux and Teresa Cote. Also three grandchildren, Matthew Lum, Chantal Koster and Nicole Cote. This Year Edith became a Great Grandmother to Benjamin Lum-Gill and Brantley Koster. Edith has two daughters-in-law Trudi Lamoureux and Mary Lamoureux, as well as her Grandchildren’s spouses Harleen Lum-Gill and Corey Koster.  She also leaves behind her dear friends who have touched her world, and her heart, in immeasurable ways. 
 
Our family does not want this day to be sad but rather a celebration of her life, and we welcome those who knew, and loved her, to be a part of it. Her request is not to have a funeral, but a personal gathering of immediate family. She encourages those who cannot be there, to join with her in their moments of remembrance. Following Mom's wishes, cremation has taken place.
 
Mom will always be remembered for her generous spirit, sense of humor, silly playfulness, immeasurable strength, outspoken manner, honesty, fierce loyalty and unwavering dedication to her family and friends.
 
Mom has lived a diverse life. She and our step father (Robert Lenz - deceased Aug 24, 2011) travelled the world, and enjoyed their time together. Edith and Bob were known far and wide by friends and customers who frequented Antiques at the Sawmill or kibitzed with them at auctions. They were a staple in their community. You could always find Mom antiquing, going to garage sales, attending Indian Pow Wows, collecting "Talking Earth Pottery" and Indian Baskets, going to dances, playing cards, and reading endlessly. But her favorite thing to do was spend time with family, and raise mischief, and fun, with friends.
 
She touched and enriched many lives throughout the years. To her family and friends she wants you to remember her love for you. She will miss seeing each of you which was the hardest part of her passage. She has kept each of you close in her heart and taken your memory with her. 
 
We will deeply miss all the amazing parts of her that made her so special.  We love you and will miss you Mom. You will always be close, a part of us, and tucked in our hearts.
 
Special thanks to the many doctors, nurses and personal support personnel at the Renal Clinic, and the LHIN, for their exceptional care and dedication. Your compassion, understanding and unwavering support helped hold Edith, and her family, up during the final stages of her journey. An additional thank you to CCAC and Tri-City Cremations Service for your care and going above and beyond to support our family .
 
Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237. Please visit Edith's obituary notice on Facebook.
17 Comments
LYNDA McKIM
5/11/2021 04:15:09 pm

I am so saddened by Edith's passing. I am the Founder of New Beginnings Widows and Widowers group and dear Edith has been a valued member for 4 years. We have all enjoy many laughs and fun times with her. Our members will miss her so much!
On a personal note, Edith was my #1 cheerleader. Whenever problems arose in the group (as problems always to) Edith would ALWAYS take my side and in her outspoken manner would usually verbalize her support and say the things I was thinking or wanting to say. I absolutely loved her for that and I will definitely miss her outspoken support and friendship.
My sympathies to her family and, it sounds from the lovely obituary, that you will have many wonderful, happy, funny memories to cherish in the years to come.

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Teresa Cote link
5/11/2021 06:02:25 pm

Thank you Lynda for your thoughtfulness and kind words. Mom would definitely go to bat for her friends and those she cared about. You never had to wonder what she was thinking. Lol. She made many good friends through your group, some of whom I have met along the way. The support, comradrie and fun that you share is so important because at the end of the day the people in our lives are what matter most. Thank you to the group, and for those who cared and enjoyed their moments with my Mom.

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Richard Lamoureux link
5/13/2021 10:19:09 am

A great description of our mom. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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BettyAnne Field
5/11/2021 05:28:39 pm

A lovely tribute to your mother! My sincere condolences to you all. We will miss her in our NBW&W group.

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Teresa Cote
5/12/2021 09:12:07 am

Thank you BettyAnne. She had many great memories from her time with everyone and made some lasting friendships.

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Richard Lamoureux link
5/12/2021 07:27:45 am

The Call

For as long as I can remember, I have been phoning my mom. Even before leaving home when I was a teenager. Whenever I had good or bad news, it was just natural for me to want to call my mom.  When I was sixteen, I worked at Bob Parr Shoes in Kitchener. I would call  up mom and talk about the day. I remember the manager Lou Gies asked me, “Do you call your mom every day?” I thought it was an odd question to ask because for me it seemed such a normal part of my day. This habit has carried on over the years and became even more important after I moved out west to be with my sweetie (28 years ago). For those of you who don’t know me well, “Sweetie” is my wife Mary.

Mom and I have always had an easy way of talking to each other. I guess we just get each other’s humour. In 2012, my sweetie, mom and I traveled to Italy together. I am so glad we shared that time. The reason I bring it up is that at times my mom and I were laughing so much that I think my sweetie thought we were nuts. My mom has an irreverent humour that not everyone gets at first. As some might say, she was an “acquired taste”. Those who took the time to get to know her were richly rewarded. If you got to know my mom, you know what I am talking about. 

When I started to write this piece, I was going to title it “O-Bitch-Uary”. Now you might think that is odd and I guess it is. Now for the record, I can honestly say the B word is not how I describe my mom. Her, on the other hand, she did so all the time. For those of you who are fans of Beyonce, she has an alter ego she calls “Sasha Fierce” she channels Sasha when she is on stage. I guess you could say Sasha Fierce is her inner Super Hero. Well in my moms case, maybe her inner Super Hero is Wonder-Bitch. I think my mom used Wonder-B to help her navigate difficult waters. My mom who was kind, loving and generous was also abused at the hands of my father. I think Wonder-B helped give her the strength to finally leave that relationship. It’s her way of saying “Don’t mess with me!” Now don’t get me wrong, her inner B is tempered by a soft heart, a generous spirit, fierce loyalty and a great sense of humour. If you are inclined to laugh, hug, dance or play cards, mom was your gal. She certainly was mine. A big hole is left in my heart. Still I have so much to be thankful for. I love you mom, I’m thankful for you and I wish I could pick up the phone and call.

Love Rick

I have attached another piece I wrote after my step dad Bob passed away. Bob was the love of my mom’s life. Please indulge me by reading a bit longer

Ashes

Everywhere she went
She sprinkled some ashes
Leaving a part of him
Releasing a bit more of her sadness
lessening that ache
as she celebrated him
remembering his goodness

I was not everywhere
still I took part in the ritual
releasing a bit of my own sadness
As I remembered him
I held back the tears
Instead I let a smile cross my lips
He had lived his life well

His ashes were sprinkled in a family orchard
at the base of a tree
A place of great beauty
Spectacular like his soul
His ashes at the end of a dock on lake Okanagan
Oh how he loved the beach
Wishing to play along the waters edge
like the big kid he was at heart
But he'd never learnt how to swim
Still his ashes floated with ease
Now he has no limitations
I left a bit of him on a sailboat
So he can be carried to new places
After all he loved to travel

His ashes came with us to Italy
In spirit he was part of our adventure
I laughed when my mom told me
She sprinkled him in the Vatican 
She was gleeful
My mom the rebel
Playful and brave
One of the many reasons he loved her so
He was with us in Florence
His essence there along ancient streets
In vineyards
and quaint villages

We traveled to the Amalfi Coast
Along winding roads
More like a donkey path than a highway
Mom in the backseat saying “Oh shit!”
Not usually one to swear
Bob's ashes in her pocket
I don't know if she thought of him then
Later she remembered their time in Greece 
He was never far from her mind

Somehow this ritual
Made me smile
It is now added to my memory
Allowing me to be thankful for Bob
For mom
For two lives well lived
For a love well loved
A soulmate celebrated
Appreciated
and remembered!


Oops just one more to share

Favourite
 
Some words
Need not be spoken
Yet somehow
I have always felt
that I am your favourite

I know others
Feel the same way
It's how you engage 
The way you hear
The playfulness in your voice
The genuineness of your laugh
Like I am the only one who matters
In that slice of time
I am your favourite

You
Yes you
Are my Favourite
One of a very special few
My soul connected since before I was born
For me your eyes are home
Your hug my strength
Your laugh my pleasure
I am lifted by your clever 
My heart sings in the midst of your generous
I cry your tears
I see mys

Reply
Teresa Cote
5/12/2021 09:17:45 am

Thank you Rick for beautifully sharing your heart on the page in words. So thoughfully written, and full of love. Love you lots. We miss you Mom.

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Richard Lamoureux link
5/13/2021 10:22:23 am

❤️

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Bob and Linda Sauer
5/12/2021 06:21:45 pm

Remembering your wonderful mom and wishing you comfort.
For over 20 years, on more than one occasion, she was part of our family and friends get togethers. During these times she always brought interesting conversation and would never be afraid to share her opinion or personal experiences. No topic was taboo. My mother Sheila, enjoyed Edith's company immensely and always looked forward to getting together. You could often see the two of them laughing at something that Edith had just said. They certainly shared the same sense of humour! Edith would always put a smile on all our faces, even after "Edith had left the building" we would laugh about the stories she told.
I was fortunate to have spent a beautiful afternoon with her at her favorite spot in New Hamburg, just chatting about life. She loved her family immensely and she thanked me more than once for "looking out for her daughter." Of course, this was usually followed by, "and you better keep it up!
Bob remembers always enjoying her company, he loved listening to her stories and laughing with her. As a Christmas nut, he was so grateful for the Christmas Chandelier and mini Church that she gave him.
We will miss Edith but always remember the fun time spent together.

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Richard Lamoureux link
5/14/2021 05:01:18 pm

This is such an uplifting and thoughtful not. Thanks for sharing your experience.

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Teresa Cote
5/13/2021 09:11:56 pm

Linda, I know you and Bob share this with us, as you are family. Your memory of her, and your words have touched my heart. Thankyou for always being there for me, and for our family. Mom loved her time with all of you. Lots of love. 💐

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Luann Gallagher
5/14/2021 12:23:04 pm

I met Edith at a euchre meetup group. From that moment on it felt like she had been in my life forever. We quickly became friends. I am so deeply saddened by her loss, and will miss her so very much.

I want to share a very personal note that I offered Edith for her 75th birthday. Everything in this note still holds true for me today.

"I embrace the comfort that I feel when I'm in your company. I appreciate your honesty and frankness. I appreciate how you listen - not just with your head, but with your heart, too. I value the wisdom and compassion you choose to share with me. I hold close to me your words of esteem and encouragement, as, in my weaker moments, they make me feel strong in my sense of Self, and remind me that I am worthy of all that is good and beautiful. And whether we laugh or cry because of them, I cherish our sharing of life stories. I treasure our friendship as a special gift, and I give thanks to the Creator for your presence in my life.

You are a kind and gentle soul Edith. And the Divine Spark that Creator put in all of us shines beautifully and brightly within you. You are surrounded by people who love and care about you because of the fun and loving way you express this Divine Light.

I am so very happy we met."

Love and hugs to you, my friend. Thanks for sharing life with me.

Holding Edith's family and friends in heart, thought and prayer.

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Barb Thompson
5/14/2021 05:12:42 pm

Reading these lovely/loving tributes gives me confidence Edith will live on in memory for many, many years to come. She was an integral part of our Widows and Widowers group and will be greatly missed. Sincere condolences to her family and friends.

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Teresa Cote
5/15/2021 04:51:08 am

Thank you for your kind words Barb. We so appreciate hearing that Mom made a difference in the those lives she touched. She had an incredible heart and was steadfast and loyal with those she called friend. We are comforted and moved by the responses we have been receiving since her passing.

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Teresa Cote
5/14/2021 05:14:53 pm

Your words are beautifully written LeAnn and really bring to light the nuances and depth of your relationship with Mom. What you shared with her is so very special. You had a friendship where there was trust to talk about personal vulnerabilities, confidence to challenge each other, and heart to care, support and love one another. It does not get better than that. She had taken you with her in her heart, I am certain of it. Thank you for sharing this beautiful note you gave to her.

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Becky and Ron Heck
5/16/2021 02:56:30 pm

As I am sitting here reading the truly lovely and very truthful messages about Edith I am in tears. All of the wonderful tributes to Edith were heart touching. You have all said things that are in my heart but not down on paper. That is not somethingI do well. We have great memories of Bob and Edith eating dinner together and of course playing cards. After Bob passed we were down to three. It was Edith's desire to Beat the pants (so to Speak) off Ron it was the thrill of the evening. Teresa, Roy, Richard,Trudy, and Mary were so very lucky to have Edith as your Mom. Tuck all your special memories in your heart they are yours to keep. Sincere Sympathy Becky and Ron.

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Teresa Cote
5/17/2021 10:26:54 am

Becky and Ron, you were truly very special friends to Mom and Bob. You had many chats, visits and good times together. Your friendship spanned over many years. Mom took these times, and your friendship with her in her heart. These are the things that meant the most to her and will not be forgotten. Thank you for your thoughts and care. The next time you play cards against Ron you might win because if there is a way Mom will find it to still beat him :) Love and care returned to both of you.

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