Memorials
Celebration of the Life of
Charlotte-Anne Duffield
1925-2002
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For Charlotte-Anne
Charlotte-Anne strived to empower her children to be the best that they could be. She was committed to the arts and gave her children the best dance and music education available. 1) Encouraging participants in international competitions. 2) Us on TV shows like "Time For Juniors" and "Laura Foster and Don Messer Jubilees" 3) Hockey Schools We all have found memories of Charlie’s own performances. She loved the public and shared her gift at Woodstock's old Home Weeks, Don Messer Jubilees and she was especially proud of her performances during World War 11. Even in the years of late she loved to do a head stand and teach her "High Steppers" |
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Her love of dance and the arts was also shared with her beloved grandchildren. Danielle is a graceful, poised young lady who enjoys dance and music performances. Clinton as a young lad enjoyed tap classes and today continues the family tradition in sports as a skillful hockey player.
Charlotte's first grandchild Michelle is an accomplished opera singer.
Charlotte passed on to her children and they to their children some wonderful lessons and qualities in life. All of her children Sandi, Dick and Rhonda inherited from charlotte. Her keen intelligence, creativity and strong sense of loyalty.
Charlotte Anne held a special place in her heart for her other 3 grandchildren Ryan, Tyler and Kyle.
She was nothing, if not devoted to her beloved Harold. She was by his side throughout their 44 years of marriage. She was dedicated to being by his side as his health failed at Shaunessy Hospital. For years after his death she volunteered at the hospital and Royal Canadian Legion in loving memory of her precious "Blue Eyes"
We know she'll be welcomed in the heavens by her son Dick and her husband Harold who will great her and help her adjust to her new life.
The following were read at Charlotte-Anne’s Memorial Service.
You've Been Through A Lot
Life is full of contrasts
Joy exists with pain.
Days may sometimes stir with light
Or darken up with rain.
It's clear that you've been through a lot
You've had to face some trials.
You've walked the road of life with courage,
Traced uncertain miles.
You have had to deal with fate
When fate stepped rudely in.
You have met the challenge of
A new path to begin.
The ways that you have met these tests
Have clearly shown the length
To which the human spirit goes
To show its inner strength.
And since you've never given in
To clouds that block the sun,
You've shown amidst the shadows
How courageously you've won.
To those I love and those who loved me
When I am gone release me let me go...
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears:
Be happy that we had these previous years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown
But now it's time I traveled alone.
So grieve a while for me if grieve you must;
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories within you heart.
I won't be far away, for life goes on;
So if you need me, call and I will come
Though you can't see me or touch me, I'll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear.
All of my love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and say, "Welcome home".
It is always a sad day when we must say goodbye to a friend, but let us remember there are other loved ones in the heaven world who are awaiting her arrival with joy. In the parable written by Henry Van Dyke
we read of that experience:
The Ship
I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze
And starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength,
And I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a speck of white
Cloud just where the sea and the sky come down to mingle with
Each other. Then someone at my Side shouts, "There She Goes!"
"Gone Where?" Gone from my sight... that is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side,
and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment
When someone at my side says, "There She Goes!"
There are other eyes watching for her coming and
Other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
So today and every day Charlotte, we wish you God's speed, go with God,
for we shall remember you in our thoughts our prayers and we know you will always be with us.
Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord make me an instrument of your Peace.
Where there is hatred ... let me sow love
Where there is injury ... let me sow pardon
Where there is doubt ... let me sow faith
Where there is despair ... let me sow hope
Where there is darkness ... let me sow light
Where there is sadness ... let me sow joy.
0 divine master, grant that I may
Not so much seek
To be consoled ... as to console
To be understood ... as to understand
To be loved ... as to love.
For
It is in giving ... that we receive,
It is in pardoning... that we are pardoned,
It is in dying ... that we are born into Eternal life.
