Lena Towedo

LENA TOWEDO
It is with great love and sorrow the family announces the passing of Lena Towedo (nee Taylor), our treasured and beloved grandmother, aunty, sister and dear friend, in Ottawa, ON on November 12, 2019 at the age of 89 years old surrounded by the love of her family at her side.
She was the eldest child born in Mamatawa, ON near Pagwa River on September 5, 1930 and later became the oldest elder of Aroland First Nation.
In her childhood, she spent over nine years of life being forcibly removed from her family where she attended both Pelican Residential School and Fort William Sanatorium. She was able to overcome many years of lost identity as a residential school survivor through so much love and sacred healing.
After returning home she began working at the Forestry Department in Nakina where she met and wed her one true love, Peter. They were married on August 9, 1958 after he returned from serving overseas in the Second World War and had their only daughter Brenda, one year later. They celebrated 34 years of marriage until Peter passed in 1991, with many more years later treasured in memory of their union. She enjoyed several years living in Geraldton in company of her family, many relatives and friends adoring her for her funny, caring and loving presence. Before she turned 80, she relocated to Ottawa and cherished the rest of her retirement years amongst her grandchildren, great-grandson, friends and families. Her life was rich with so many shared stories, triumphs and memories.

Though she left this earth to begin a new journey, she will now leave behind a strong legacy of love, wisdom and resiliency.

She will be forever loved and honoured by her family and is survived by her granddaughters Tracey and Chelsa Towedo, great-grandson Darren, and brothers Alex Taylor (Barb), George Taylor (Lou), Richard Ferris (Laura), sisters Esther Gagnon and Caroline Gillis (Larry). Waiting to meet and join her in heaven was loving daughter Brenda Towedo, husband Peter Towedo, mama Alice Ferris, sisters Daisy Landsverk (Pete), Greta Null (Kelly), brothers Gillis Taylor (Zelda), Gilbert Taylor (Emily) and her many loved ones.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Friday, November 22nd from 9:00AM to 12:00PM at Fawcett Funeral Home, a Funeral Mass will follow at 12noon at St.Theresa's R.C. Church in Geraldton. Burial to follow at Pinegrove Cemetery followed by a reception at the Parish Hall.

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