Obituary of Edythe McSweeney

EDYTHE HANNAH MCSWEENEY (nee Frise) Passed away peacefully at Wellesley Central Place on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 in her 92nd year. For 60 years Edythe was the loving wife of the late Ian C. McSweeney (December 8, 2010) and is survived by her son Ian McSweeney Jr. (Christina), her daughter Maureen Williams (David) and the family of her late daughter Catherine Hopkins (Anthony). Dearly loved grandmother of Jason, Caylin, Maureen, Desmond, Russell, Declan and Katie and beloved great-grandmother of Caylin's son Tristan. Edythe is also loved and remembered by her surviving sister Bettina and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Edythe was a wonderful mother and a dedicated and patient wife who left her chosen profession (registered nurse) in 1953 to begin raising her family. She was born in Toronto to parents Ruth Gate and Jimmy Frise (syndicated Star Weekly/Montreal Standard cartoonist - Life's Little Comedies, Birdseye Centre, Juniper Junction and short story illustrations with his long-time friend and colleague, journalist Greg Clark). She was the middle child among five siblings (Ruth, Jean, Bettina and John). After graduating in 1947, Edythe completed her RN training in Bermuda, where she met her future husband Ian (a local department store elevator operator). Her father, ever the comic, drew a special Christmas card that year showing Edythe cycling along a deserted beach where she discovered a familiar red and white outfit piled neatly on the sand and old Saint Nick himself skinny dipping a short ways from shore. Ian and Edythe fell in love and moved back to Canada where they were married in 1950. As her husband's career progressed, and their family grew, Edythe and Ian moved from Toronto to Regina, to Montreal and then back to Toronto. Always good-natured about her children's teasing over her tendency to mispronounce certain names (listening to Frank "Sinaaatra" and shopping trips to "Shareway"), she was a caring and gentle person with a heart of gold. Edythe made the best Christmas shortbread cookies and lemon meringue tarts in the known universe and loved the occasional scotch. In her younger years she adored spending time at the cottage "Togetherness" on Georgian Bay. Following her husband's retirement from the Robert Simpson Company in 1979, Edythe devoted herself to the often-difficult task of life with Ian Sr., travelling, vacationing at the family beach house "Ebb Tide" in Barbados and spending time with her family and friends. Although her last few years were, at times, difficult because of failing health, Edythe retained her charming sense of humour and determined, generous spirit to the end. We will remember and miss her always. In accordance with Edythe's wishes, a private memorial service will be held for family at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles Chapel on Sunday, January 27th (1-3 p.m.). Remembrances may be made to The Alzheimer Society of Canada (1-800-616-8816). Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.