Obituary of Mary Verna Ballance

Mary Verna (Bonnie) Ballance (Nee Wade)

August 9, 1924 -  August 31, 2022

 

Verna passed away peacefully at Extendicare New Orchard Lodge.  Kathryn and Janice know it was her choice to leave this world.  Mom, We Love You and will be forever be in our hearts!

 

Verna will be remembered by so many family and friends that enriched her life.  She is a caring and fun loving person, an elegant lady and a very strong willed and minded woman. Her best quality to her family is being an incredible wife, mother, mother-in-law and Granny.

 

Verna celebrated her 98th birthday on August 9.  She was born in Penniac, New Brunswick to parents Clarence and Elizabeth Wade (nee Boyce).

 

She joined the Air Force and went to Zweibrilcken, Germany to work as a Secretary and travelled Europe. She met Bud (Reginald George Halfide Ballance – deceased 2000) and married there in 1956. Robin was born in 1957. They moved to Rivers Manitoba and when  dad became a civilian they moved to Ottawa (Nepean) on Skipton Road in 1961.

 

Verna was an amazing and supportive mom to Robin (deceased in 2019), Kathryn (Peter Loyen) and Janice. She lived a full life: raising her children, cooking, volunteering, bowling, travelling, many social gathering with neighbours, friends and lunch ladies, plus a dedicated Ottawa Rough Rider south side fan.  Her and dad were long time Bells Corner Branch Legion members. She was honoured to represent the Silver Cross Mother for many years, as her brother Donald was killed in WWII in 1945. 

 

She was a proud and loving Granny to Brigitte and Wade.  Whether making eggie peggies and ginger cookies, snuggling or going on many adventures, they spent quality time and made memories that will be cherished forever.

 

In 2012, Verna was diagnosed with Dementia. We placed her into Extendicare New Orchard Lodge in October 2013. Our family says THANK YOU to all the staff over the past 9 years who have taken care of 'Lovely Lovely Verna'. Each of you are dedicated and compassionate in what you do and have been our extended family. 

 

Should you wish to make a donation on behalf of Verna, please consider Extendicare New Orchard Lodge or Dementia Society.

 

Verna requested no funeral service. She will be laid to rest at Penniac United Church cemetery at the end of September.

 

She asked everyone to celebrate her life.  So raise a glass and say Cheers to this wonderful woman!

 

Please contact Kathryn and Janice if you want to get together or to share your memories of Verna (Bonnie) with us through this newspaper or Cole Funeral Services.