Margaret Irene Raynor (Dawe) July 19, 1922-November 5, 2001.

Today July 19th would of been my beloved Mother's birthday, she would of turned 90 years young, she passed away 11 years ago at the age of 79 on November 5, 2001.

I thank my God for a Mother that I had in this beloved woman. She was a treasure, a gem of a person. Everything I am today is a result of the values and high morals my mother taught me. My Mom always put her family first, she was always there for me. She always had a listening ear and was always ready with a word of encouragement and always a hug and a kiss. I thank God I grew up in a loving nurturing home. I can truly thank my mom and my grandparents for raising me up in such an amazing environment.

My beloved mom grew up in the 20's and 30's in tough times but in a loving nurturing home. My grandparents were hard working and raised their 4 daughters to be the same. They instilled good morals and strong Christian values in their daughter's lives. Years later it would pay off in all of their families lives.

My Mom was a hard worker, working all her life from age 18, until retirement, didn't even take time of to have me, but instead she worked from her home. Now that's dedication. Yes, my mom enjoyed life. She retired as Medical Staff Secretary for the Hamilton Civic Hospitals in 1986 at age 64. As a young person my Mom went to Church, taught Sunday School and was lovingly nurtured and taught not only by her parents but her grandmother who was a women of faith. At the age of 18 my mom started her 1st job as a Secretary at Westinghouse after graduating from Business School in Hamilton.

My Mom told me stories about my beloved great-grandmother, Julia Ann Morgan who lost her husband as a result of a coal gas explosion on-board the SS Coban along the sea coast of New Brunswick (William Dawe) when my Mom's father (my grandfather)was 5 years of age. "Nana as I lovingly called her as a 5 year old was born and raised in Brigus, Newfoundland, she came to Hamilton with her 2 young children aged 4 and 5 and settled down there.

Mom told me she often when visiting Nana would wake up in the wee hours of the morning hearing her grandma interceding in prayer on behalf of her family. It would be years later that her prayers would be answered for her children, grandchildren and me her great-granddaughter.

Unfortunately through the years my Mom strayed away from God but maintained her strong Christian values and morals. It was around the time when Mom was diagnosed with colon cancer that she became receptive to the things of God. I remember the conversations, notes and cards I wrote Mom, even one of my close friend's wrote a card with her personal testimony enclosed.

It was that witness that saw my Mom on the day of her death on November 5, 2001 make her peace with God. I spent the whole day with her and at 11:00pm my Mom became alert and told all the family who were at her bedside it was time to go home. She wouldn't take no for an answer, she hugged and kissed us all and reluctantly we left.

It was the following morning I received a call that my beloved Mom passed away during the wee hours of the morning. As hard as it was to let my Mom go I knew she was in a better place, with no more pain, no more tears, she was free at last. Today 11 years later I know my Mom is in the presence of Jesus.

I have that same hope that when my life is complete here I will go home to Heaven my real home and be re-united with my beloved Mom...

In closing I want to say, Happy Birthday Mom...I love you just as much as I did when you were here on earth...

God's Blessings,
To all my Friend's and SparkBuddies,
Judith