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3 tree(s) planted in memory of Laura Paterson
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Jorge Dos Santos posted a condolence
Saturday, February 18, 2023
Shirley and Family
Deepest sympathy on the loss of your mom. I still recall being invited by you and Americo on a few occasions to your mom’s house in Harare and seeing the beautiful garden she had. She was always very friendly and welcoming.
Our thoughts are with you
Jorge and Dee
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Linda Mee planted a tree in memory of Laura Paterson
Monday, February 6, 2023
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In loving memory of Laura, which her brother Barry would share were he with us. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Mike Swan posted a condolence
Sunday, January 29, 2023
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I have very fond memories of playing tennis on Saturday afternoons with the Dell and Mee clans. Always great tennis, tea, mazoe and cakes. When I was older I joined the adults for drinks and enjoyed listening to the wonderful stories that were shared. As I was the youngest Laura always kept an eye out for me making sure I wasn’t left out.
Take care
Mike Swan
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Val Mcdonald nee Mee uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, January 29, 2023
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My memories of aunty Laura span across half a century and two countries – Zimbabwe and South Africa. Swimming and tennis Sundays at Coghlan Road (that hill!) were a treat and I recall a fascination with a retro ‘drinking bird’ which was on the bar counter inside the house – some of the childhood memories we keep can be odd! To me, aunty Laura was always calm and measured with a ready laugh, and the good entertainment and visits to the Dell house were a happy highlight. After she moved to South Africa visits were of course more infrequent.
We also got to know Gordon Patterson during these years. Aunty Laura was blessed with marrying good men.
The last time we met was in Cape Town in March 2019 when many of the Mee clan gathered. It was a special moment and lovely to spend a little more time with Laura – she had not changed much at all in those years and was, as always, a gentle but strong lady.
Much love to our cousins Shirley and Cheryl and to all of Laura’s family from the Irish clan
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Americo dos Santos uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, January 28, 2023
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Americo (Dos)
Laura,
You were a great Mother-in-Law, and I don’t recall there ever being any animosity between us, unlike most jokes about difficult Mother-in-Laws.
Sadly, most of our shared time was disrupted by the tyranny of distance. Firstly, you and Bob moved to Port Alfred shortly after I met Shirley, and later you and Gordon emigrated to Nova Scotia and we to New Zealand
Moving countries once is a challenge. You did it twice, and quickly embraced the changes and adapted to your new environment, though I know you never got used to the Canadian winters.
Some of my enduring memories of you are of visiting you in Port Alfred which we managed to do every second year. You were Granny ‘Seaside” to Daniella and Graham, and I know that they both treasure those memories. We all enjoyed the beach, sliding down the sand dunes, fossicking for sea shells or unsuccessfully (most of the time) trying to catch a fish or soling at low tide.
A great attribute was your willingness to help, even though distance did not make this easy. We appreciated your help when you travelled to Zimbabwe to help Shirley when I was away overseas on work trips. You also visited us several times with us in New Zealand. On one occasion you spent time teaching Daniella to drive which was quite an undertaking after you had taught her how to ride a bike when she was a little girl in Zimbabwe. The most appreciated visit was when you spent quite a long time with us helping Daniella recover from her accident – many a visit to the French Café in Browns Bay included. Your help and patience helped us all through this difficult period.
I also enjoyed your and Cheryl’s generous hospitality when we visited you in Port Hawkesbury on a number of occasions. I particularly recall our road trips around the Cabot trail and Prince Edward Island, always on a look out for a dog friendly motel o restaurant. and your fondness for fish and chips and chicken wings.
Laura, you will be missed – Rest in Peace.
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Pat Misiewicz uploaded photo(s)
Friday, January 27, 2023
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I have very fond memories of growing up next door to our uncles, aunts and cousins coming and going between our houses, playing tennis, swimming, riding bikes and much more.
This photo of Auntie Laura with Shirley and Cheryl was taken 43 years ago on our wedding day (26 January 1980).
RIP Auntie Laura. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family. Much love and God Bless, Pat and Misi (Julian) xx
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Graham dos Santos uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
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Granny
I will miss you.
You will always be our "Granny Seaside". I have great memories as a child of always looking forward to seeing the sea (after 2 days drive to your house in South Africa) and knowing when we did, we would have a great holiday with you. I remember playing in the lagoon and rock pools and going for walks with you.
Then I remember you visiting us in New Zealand and being there to help us and support us.
And then later visiting you in Canada doing the Cabot Trail with you, seeing Nova Scotia and being impressed with how well you and Gordon had adapted to life in Canada.
And recently being so proud to introduce you to Luca, your third great grandchild.
Thanks for always being such a great Grandma.
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Donalda and Ken Mitchell posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Cheryl and Family. Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of your mother. I would always chat with her when she was out walking or doing her gardening. We would always catch up on what Robert was doing since him and Andrew were best friends. Donalda and Ken Mitchell
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Daniella uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, January 22, 2023
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Dearest Gran
Over the last week I have been thinking about the memories I have of you. When I was a child we loved coming to visit you in South Africa - we had so much fun playing on the beach and exploring the rock pools. We loved your dog Jessie and she loved splashing in the rock pools with us and trying to catch fish. I remember one time she actually caught one and was so shocked she promptly dropped it back into the water! I remember sliding down the sand dunes with my cousins whilst you watched us and playing on an inflatable dinghy in the lagoon. I watched you and Gordon going fishing to catch sole fish and you taught me lawn bowls and clock solitaire. My childhood memories with you are full or sand, sea and sunshine.
As I grew older we didn’t see each other as frequently as we lived further apart but I will always be grateful that you came to New Zealand for a few months to look after me whilst I recovered from breaking my back. Having family to look after me rather than strangers was so important for my recovery and a chance for us to spend time together.
My kids knew you as ‘Great Gran from Canada’ and I will always treasure the photo of 4 generations of girls together when you met Amelia. Thanks for being a great Grandma - always caring and interested in my life. I will miss you!
Much love to everyone in Canada and especially to my mum and and to my Aunt Cheryl.
S
Shirley dos Santos uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, January 22, 2023
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+ 4
Laura Mee, Laura Dell or Laura Paterson. You may know my mom by one, two or all three of these names. To me, she was just mom. A mom who was always there for my sister and I growing up. A strong woman who put her family first.
The young Laura belongs to Zimbabwe, the more mature Laura to South Africa and the older Laura to Canada. As she always said, she was a much married and much travelled woman. She was happy and had fun wherever she was.
Mom was the eldest child of Bill and Phyllis Mee and had two younger brothers, Barry and Jeff. She was a tomboy – not for her dolls, and girly things. She liked helping her mechanic dad in the garage and tinkering with tools.
Mom joined the Dell clan when she married Bob. She was very much the young Mrs Dell or the junior Mrs Dell!! We teased dad that he had done a bit of cradle snatching as he was 11 years older Today, mom’s family, the Mees, and Dells are scattered all over the world.
The four brothers or the Dell boys as they were called bought up adjacent tracts of land in Greendale North when they came back from the war. We lived at 46 Coghlan Road, Stan at 50, Don at 44 and Walter at 38. It was affectionately known as “The Dellery.” There were 13 of us cousins and Cheryl is the youngest. We had loads of fun wondering around the properties. There were spats of course but also great camaraderie. Dad built a tennis court before a house as that was important to mom!! We had such fun playing tennis and swimming in the pool and building tree houses in the beautiful Msasa trees. Later, one of my uncles put in a trampoline. We didn’t have to go out for entertainment. Mom’s family played tennis with us too and came over for swims. I was the eldest cousin of this branch.
Laura loved sewing and knitting. She made most of our clothes, even our school uniforms, and knitted for many of the family too. She and gran would knit a jersey together. Granny’s tension was tighter than mom’s and so mom knitted on smaller needles, and it worked out fine. Mom would knit in front of the TV and always have a cable needle in her mouth. Dad didn’t like the look and I remember him saying so many times. The extended family all sported jerseys made by the pair. Mom, I wish had learnt to knit like you and gran. You did teach me to sew, and I am grateful for that.
Mom would often punctuate her language with Afrikaans. So we would hear “Ek weet nie ,” (I don’t know ) and “dit maak ne sake ne. (It doesn’t matter). She loved giving people nicknames and they often stuck. I was Shirley Whirley girl, Cheryl was affectionately known as Lamb Chop and later Lamb.
Mom, you loved opera and in your last days your eyes fluttered open when Cheryl played some arias on her phone, and we believe you heard them. Mom could whistle in tune, and it was lovely hearing snatches of her favourite tunes. Granny was a good pianist and other parts of the family are talented like that but not our side.
Mom met Gordon in Bob’s retirement years in Port Alfred. They travelled a lot when first married and mom caravanned and camped again which she had done with her parents as a child. They had some lovely trips up the Fish River and explored Namibia together. Cheryl and I suddenly had some stepbrothers.
Mom’s years in Canada were good years. It was hard to adapt to the harsh climate and the different way of life, but mom made it work. She and Gordon enjoyed a new phase. She managed to get to New Zealand about three times, I think, and was planning another visit in 2020 when Covid struck.
The last two years were not easy but mom was comfortable and well taken care of at Inverness Manor.
Thank you, mom. I hope, I will be as good a mom, gran, and great gran as you have been.
Lots of love your daughter Shirley
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WillM planted a tree in memory of Laura Paterson
Sunday, January 22, 2023
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In memory of my aunt for her grace. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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WillM posted a condolence
Sunday, January 22, 2023
I'll always remember Aunt Laura was a figure of organized calm and dignity in the often chaotic family of our youth. - Will
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Marguerite Howlett posted a condolence
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Q: How did you meet Laura?
A: I met Laura through a mutual friend Yvonne Dallien who were great friends, I live on the opposite corner from where Yvonne lived, she spoke often of Laura, I would see Laura either walking her dog, or tending to her flower garden, my deepest Condolences on the loss of you Mother, grandmother and great grandmother RIP Laura
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Linda Mee posted a condolence
Saturday, January 21, 2023
MY MEMORY OF LAURA
Every Saturday afternoon we would all go to Bob and Laura’s tennis court to play or watch tennis. Laura’s mother (Phyllis) brought her homemade apple pie. The dogs were always there, and so was a pet hamster – I think it was yours, Cheryl? named “Bohonkas”! The Mee family was very close-knit and I am grateful to have been part of it for a long time.
With much love to Shirley, Cheryl and families
S
Sheila Mee posted a condolence
Friday, January 20, 2023
Aunty Laura . A kind person with a ready smile and a laugh who made us each a jersey by hand every year . We loved coming to visit and to use the swimming pool on weekends with our cousins and she always welcomed us all .
He attitude to life was unfailingly positive and unchanging over her life and something I've always admired . Rest in peace xxx sheila
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Barb uploaded photo(s)
Friday, January 20, 2023
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My dear Cheryl, and to all your family,
I am saddened to hear of the loss of your dear mom. Laura was such a lovely, spirited lady, and I was honoured to have gained her as a friend and fellow “bowling girl”. I told her often, she should write her memoirs, as she had led such an interesting life. We formed a close alliance, enjoyed our trips together, and I will cherish those memories. Comfort and caring to you all.
Barbara Meagher
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Cheryl Briggs posted a condolence
Friday, January 20, 2023
Condolences to Cheryl and family.
From Cheryl and Mike Briggs
A Memorial Tree was planted for Laura Paterson
Friday, January 20, 2023
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Dennis Haverstock Funeral Homes - Port Hawkesbury Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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The family of Laura Phyllis Paterson uploaded a photo
Friday, January 20, 2023
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