Deir, Maureen (Minnie)

Resident of Sherwood Park Manor

It is with broken hearts we share the news that our cherished Mother and Granny has entered into rest, in her 89th year, at the Brockville General Hospital on Saturday, July 8, 2017. Maureen was born in Staindrop, England, coming to Canada when she was only a year old; travelling with her parents and older brother. She grew up in the small rural town of Coniston, in Northern Ontario. As a young woman working as a waitress, she caught the eye of Hubert, a young man from Athens who had left his hometown to work up North. Hubert and Maureen were married in October 1950 and, soon after, moved to the Deir Family farm at R.R.4 Athens where their home and hearts were filled with 8 children.

Survived by her children Darwin, Donna Healey, Derrick (Rick), Debbie Lefave (Stephen), Darlene Deir (Dick Zufelt), Dale (Johnna Dailey). Maureen was the most loved Granny to Jamie VanHoek, his wife Lindsay and their children Hunter and Ali, Kyle and Jenna Healey, Logan Deir, Brittany and Brianne Lefave. Also survived by her sister Doris and brother-in-law Glen Johnston of Carleton Place, and by several nieces and nephews. Maureen had also shared a life long friendship with Josephine Hillock (Pina) of Sudbury.

She was predeceased by her husband Hubert (in May 2003), sons Douglas (in 1995) and Shawn (in 2015), parents Charlie and Hilda Leonard, and brothers Raymond and John. Maureen was also predeceased by all her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law from Hubert's family.

Maureen worked retail in the village of Athens. She loved to attend yard sales and auctions and clerked for Merton Phillips Auctions for over 25 years. She loved a celebration or special occasion and was always creating handcrafted cards and decorations. Maureen participated in many community activities and was a member of Communities in Bloom for several years. She enjoyed travelling with her family to Florida during March break.

We will remember our Mom and Gran as a creative, energetic and loving woman who always put her children first, we were so blessed to have her in our lives.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Maureen's life to be held at the Irvine Reception Centre, 4 James Street East, Brockville on Friday, July 21st from 4-7 pm. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Sherwood Park Manor Life Enrichment Program will be gratefully acknowledged. Send condolences, place a donation, light a memory candle or share a special thought of Maureen online at www.irvinememorial.com.