Obituary of Jocelyn Lazier

JOCELYN LAZIER (nee DAVIS)

Jocelyn “Jolly” Lazier, born on March 6, 1926 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, died peacefully on Monday, November 7, 2022 with her daughters by her side. She was predeceased by her son James Philip Todd. Jolly was the youngest child of Marion Marlin (Sally) Davis and Roy Henry Davis. At the age of 3, she moved from Pittsburgh with her family to St. Catharines ON.  She spent many gloriously happy years growing up in St Catharines and six full summers at Camp Tanamakoon in Algonquin Park inspiring her great love of nature, gardens, and the outdoors. Jolly lived as a boarder at Havergal College graduating in 1944, Trinity College (University of Toronto) ‘47 and Katharine Gibbs (Boston) ‘48 keeping many dear lifelong friends from every chapter of her early life. 

After WW ll, Jolly married Donald R. Todd (deceased) and had her 3 children – Debbie, Julie and Jamie in Toronto, later moving to Brantford. In 1972 Jolly married Frank A Schulman. She and Frank enjoyed eight adventurous and fulfilling years together in Toronto until his death in 1980. After eleven years she was married once again to her final love - Colin S. Lazier. Jolly and Colin were married in 1991 and lived an extraordinarily happy life together in Hamilton for 26 years.

For the past seven years Jolly lived at The Dunfield Retirement Residence fully engaged welcoming newcomers, writing for the newsletter, playing bridge, swimming and as a member of a book club. She was deeply grateful to the staff who worked tirelessly to make her life so vibrant.

She has enriched our family life immeasurably and will forever be remembered for her fierce strength and bravery in the face of life’s many vicissitudes, her ability to look forward not back and her full understanding and desire to engage in life’s feast. She was a paragon of elegance and grace, and we will miss her dearly.

Jolly is survived by her daughters Deborah Merritt (Tom) and Julie McMeekin (Keith), her 6 grandchildren – Tom Merritt, Hamilton Merritt, Todd Merritt, Cicely Knecht, Anna Morrison, Eve Sayers and her 14 great grandchildren. Also, by her stepchildren Evan Schulman, Frances Stanford, John Schulman, Colin G Lazier (deceased), Doug Lazier, Sarah Keating, Tom Lazier and their families, all of whom were the beneficiaries of her love and generosity.  Predeceased by her 3 siblings - Deborah Emmans, Marlin Hargrave, and Richard M. Davis. 

A private family service will take place. A celebration of Jolly's life will be held at The Badminton and Racquet Club, Toronto, on Monday, November 14th from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Doctors Without Borders or The UNCHR.

Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.

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