Lois Irene Bryers

Obituary of Lois Irene Bryers BRYERS, Lois Irene – Passed away peacefully, at Lakefield Extendicare, on Saturday, February 2, 2019 with her daughter and son-in-law at her side. Lois of Lakefield, formerly of Peterborough, Toronto and St. Catharines, at 82 years of age. Beloved mother of Douglas Emery (Iris), Catherine Romano (Randall), and Philip Emery (Heather Spratt). Loved dearly by her baby sister Beverley (John) Braun. Cherished grandmother of Ryan, Jesse (Samantha), Gemma (Greg Gamble) and Benjamin Romano and Jimmy and Richard Emery. Loving aunt to Robin (Eric Poland), Trevor (Joanne) and Wayne (Jennifer) Braun and their children. Dear friend of Beryl Morningstar, Beth Miller and Eric Erdmann. Predeceased by her loving parents Kathleen and Clifford Bryers and her brother Lloyd Bryers. Lois was born in St Catharines, Ontario March 19, 1936. After graduating high school, Lois became a teacher in a small one-room schoolhouse for a few years until she herself became a mother. Lois was a woman of faith, starting her religious journey at Calvary Baptist Church in St Catharines. She was curious about the many ways to celebrate faith and joined in prayer and song at The People’s Church in Toronto, Baptist churches in whatever community she was living in and made friends at the Peterborough Seventh Day Adventist Church. She often attended the services at the Salvation Army in Peterborough, loving the band music that filled the hall. Mostly, Lois was at peace praying as she sat outside watching the clouds (she loved clouds) or sitting by a beach listening to the sounds of nature. Music was in her soul, particularly jazz and big band, in fact anything with a saxophone and she loved to dance. She was light on her feet and graced the dance floor in her younger years. Over the course of her interesting life she was married three times. She worked as an Educational Assistant with the Toronto School Board in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s working with children with special needs, a job she tremendously enjoyed. Lois lived by the song, “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson On the road again I just can't wait to get on the road again The life I love is makin' music with my friends And I can't wait to get on the road again On the road again Goin' places that I've never been Seein' things that I may never see again And I can't wait to get on the road again Here we go, on the road again Like a band of Gypsies we go down the highway We're the best of friends Insisting that the world keep turnin' our way And our way is on the road again I just can't wait to get on the road again The life I love is makin' music with my friends And I can't wait to get on the road again, break free And I can't wait to get on the road again Over her 82 years of life she lived in at least 23 different homes in Southern Ontario. She never thought it odd to pack up yet again and make a new place “home” gathering friends wherever she was living. She loved her time escaping the Canadian winter as a Snow Bird in Florida and spent one winter volunteering on the island of Rum Cay, Bahamas, an adventure that she loved to share and relive in her mind as the years went on. Lois was curious by nature. She read newspapers and magazines regularly. Her family across the continent knew that if they received an envelope in the mail from Lois, it would be packed with random articles that she had cut out, with parts underlined and highlighted, making sure we didn’t miss the point. She always wanted scissors near by and she chose to have an image of the same on her grave marker, laughing about her need to share tips with her family. Her family was incredibly important to her and she always enjoyed hearing about their travels and adventures. Over the past year and a half, Lois was lovingly cared for by the staff at Lakefield Extendicare. We want to thank them all, especially Rob, Annie and Janice aka Mavis. Cremation has taken place. There will be a private family service, bringing us together in her memory. If desired, condolences to the family and donations to the Lakefield Animal Welfare Society or the Salvation Army may be made at www.communityalternative.ca.