Obituary of Judith Ann Marilyn Fleming

<p>JUDITH ANN MARILYN FLEMING (née Mist)<br /> July 21, 1939 - August 15, 2016</p> <p><br /> Judith (Judy) passed away peacefully at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto on Monday, August 15, 2016 in her 77th year.&nbsp; She was born in Montreal on July 21, 1939, daughter of Mabel and Charles Mist (deceased), beloved wife of Donald, loving mother of Cynthia (Cynda) and Sarah, mother-in-law of Michael Muir and Vince Candelino, grandmother of James Muir, Lucas Candelino, and Thomas Muir, sister of Bennett Mist (deceased) and Jacqueline Clappison, sister-in-law of Bob Clappison, aunt of Stephen McNie, Judy Green and husband Jim Green, and Heather Blackmore and husband John Blackmore.</p> <p><br /> Judy left us on a beautiful summer morning.&nbsp; The sky was blue with white wispy clouds, and the air was fresh and clear.&nbsp; She would have loved to have been up at Ahmic Lake on a day like that, where she might have looked up from her latest book club novel and smiled as a breeze touched her flowers and made them dance.&nbsp; Judy always appreciated the beauty that surrounded her; taking time to notice the detail in a flower’s petal, the miracle of perennials reappearing each spring, the haunting call of a loon.</p> <p><br /> Just as she found beauty in nature, she equally looked for the inner beauty in everyone who touched her life.&nbsp; When she spoke with you, she listened intently, asked engaging questions, and left you feeling like she really cared about you - which she genuinely did.&nbsp; She sought the good in everyone, and loved unconditionally.</p> <p><br /> One of her greatest joys in life was expanding her own mind, and she loved to share her vast knowledge with others.&nbsp; It’s no wonder she chose a career in teaching.&nbsp; Judy’s working life began in Toronto as a Physical Education teacher at York Mills Collegiate.&nbsp; She then moved to the York Region District School Board where she was a teacher and guidance counsellor at Woodland Public School and Charlton Public School.&nbsp; She had a gift for bringing out the best in all of her students, especially those who struggled the most.&nbsp; Her caring, patient approach, and ability to see the potential in everyone made her an exceptional and memorable teacher.&nbsp; For her outstanding work and successes in educational counselling, she was the recipient of the York Region Board’s Silver Fox Award.</p> <p><br /> She was educated at Leaside High School and the University of Toronto, but her learning never stopped.&nbsp; She was forever researching a wide variety of subjects, with an especially keen interest in genealogy.&nbsp; Her passion for family history took her and Don to the United Kingdom many times, where they both loved the pursuit of uncovering new information, and making connections.&nbsp; They were active members of a number of lecture groups and historical societies in both Toronto and England.&nbsp; They shared their own passion for English Landscape Gardens with others by pouring hours into the creation of two lecture slideshows which they presented throughout Toronto.</p> <p><br /> Don and Judy spent their whole marriage dancing, and it brought them such joy.&nbsp; Whether it was getting dressed up for a Scottish Country ball, or doing a grand chain with their Ahmic friends at a square dance up north, they were always in step with each other.&nbsp; Watching them dance as they smiled into each other’s eyes was a beautiful sight to see.&nbsp; True love, animated.</p> <p><br /> Judy loved music, and fostered this love in both of her daughters.&nbsp; They, in turn, have passed this on to their own children.&nbsp; Before she got sick, Judy never missed one of her grandsons’ wind ensemble, brass band, or violin concerts.&nbsp; At family gatherings, someone would inevitably start playing something on the piano, and everyone would join in singing or playing on some kind of instrument, even if it was spoons from the kitchen drawer.&nbsp; Those were some of the happiest moments that were shared together as a family.</p> <p><br /> Judy died peacefully.&nbsp; She was surrounded by her family in a circle of love, but at the same time you could feel the expanse of her own love extend beyond the room to everyone who had ever touched her life.&nbsp; To every student she had ever taught, to every friend with whom she shared a laugh, to her family, especially her grandchildren who she adored so much.&nbsp; As we held her hands, she told each one of us how much she loved us, then her last words were, “Such happy memories.”</p> <p><br /> The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES – NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7th and from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 8th.&nbsp; A service celebrating Judy’s life will be held in LEASIDE UNITED CHURCH at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 10th, with a reception following in the church hall (822 Millwood Avenue, Toronto - Tel: 416.425.1253).</p> <p><br /> If desired, memorial gifts can be made to the Sunnybrook Foundation Breast Cancer Research Fund (www.donate.sunnybrook.ca, Tel: 416-480-4483) or your preferred charity.&nbsp; Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.</p>