McSPADDEN
Elsie Marie ~ passed away on Monday, December 4, 2017 at Sakura House. She was the eldest of nine children born to Porter and Mary Dennis on January 9, 1920 at their farm near Walton, Ontario. Following Elsie in order were: Florence, Grace, Helen, Elnor, Ruth, Murray, Don and Grant. Of these she is survived only by her sister Ruth Rowe and her brother Murray Dennis.
Elsie approached life with joy, curiosity and confidence. At 21, she married Samuel Arthur McSpadden, truly the love of her life and together, they raised a family of four: Dennis, Douglas, Marlene and Karen. She was predeceased first by her son Dennis (Irene Tam) then by Sam on New Years Day 1998 and shortly after by Doug (Kerry Cruikshank.) Elsie felt blessed to have both Marlene (Rick Harper) and Karen McSpadden (Dan Cohoe) living so close by and ready to help her in every way!
Her deep faith fueled her love for life as she continued to make new friends, discover new information, master new technology and entertain with her accordion, harmonica and stories. Many of her tales were set down in her memoir, From the Roaring 20's to Y2K, published when she was 80 years old.
She is survived by six beloved grandchildren: Melanie and Chris Harper, Sean (Kathy) and Nicole McSpadden, Rebecca (Ian Murphy) and Andrew Cohoe (Kristy Esseltine.) At the ripe old age of 92 she was delighted to first become a great grandma to Lizzie, followed by sisters Annie and Estelle McSpadden and Bridget Cohoe Murphy. She will be missed by numerous nieces and nephews as well as those many friends she cherished.
Her life was celebrated at a service lead by Pastor Christina Crawford at the Norwich United Church on Saturday, December 9, at 11:00 am.
Visitation was on Friday, December 8 at Arn-Lockie Funeral Home, 45 Main Street West, Norwich, ON 519-863-3020, from 2:00 till 4:00 pm and also from 7:00 pm till 9:00 pm as well as from 10:00 till 11:00 on December 9 at Norwich United Church, 28 Main Street West, Norwich, ON.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Otterville United Church, Sakura House or to the charity of your choice.