Obituary of Fern Isabelle Crews
CREWS, FERN ISABELLE (nee Street)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Fern Crews, on December 1, 2021, most cherished wife, best friend, and soulmate of late Bill Crews whom the angels called home on July 31, 2001. Fern was the beloved daughter of the late Conley and Eva (nee Stoliker) Street; and the cherished mother of four children, three girls and one boy. She is forever loved and missed by her daughter, Susan Brooks (Mirrel), Napanee and by her son Randy Loucks (Basilia) and their son Cody, Kingston. Sadly, Fern’s daughter Connie Fern Loucks lost her battle with cancer on December 31, 2018; and her daughter Sharon Rollins (Leo) succumbed to cancer just two months later, on February 28, 2019. (Mom and all of us were heartbroken). Fern was also survived by her beloved stepdaughter, Susan Pelow (Chris) Napanee. She was a devoted and well-loved Nana to grandson Cody William Loucks and the grandson William (Billy) McCulloch (Shawna), to grand-daughter Carrol Sue Claessen (Stephen) (again, sadly, Carrol passed on December 1, 2020), to Jennifer Lawson (Jay) and to stepchildren Tyler Pelow (Cynthia) and Jessica Pelow (Thomas). She was great-grand Nana Fern to Conner and Riley Claessen; Cole, Christopher, Katie Isabelle, and Chelsea McCulloch, to Victoria and, Rebecca and Jacob Lawson; and Austin and Wesley Pelow.
Fern was the beloved sister of Garry Street (Marilyn), Leduc, Alberta. Predeceased by sisters Betty Anne Knapp, May Hodgeboom (George) Kingston, Marguerite Thompson (late Clifford) Kingston; Rose Friendship (Alfred Wilson) Perth Road; and June Baker (late Ron). Predeceased also by brothers; Harold, Lawrence, Ross, Ronald, and Mervyn (Liz) Kingston. Predeceased also by infant granddaughter, Sienna Isabelle Loucks; and by infant brother Morley James Street (1931). Survived by sister-in-law Shirley Whitman (Bob) and brother-in-law Gordon Crews.
Fondly remembered by her daughter Sharon’s friend, Leo, who continues to beautifully tend to all the graves with flowers. Remembered also by a very special niece, Rose Bell, who was so helpful when Fern lost her two daughters to cancer in 2018 and 2019 and has also been very helpful to Fern and her current needs. Remembered also by a very special retired Armed Forces “Cape Bretoner”, Doug Maxwell (Pattie) who took over Fern’s grocery shopping when he became unable to do it then, on his own initiative, cooked the food and made individual meals into containers and delivered them to Fern. She had to only take them from the freezer, thaw and heat them. Thank you also to Fern’s nephew, Bob Hogeboom, who each year for many years picked up Fern’s tax material, completed her tax forms and sent it in and returned Fern's tax material to her home. Thank you Rose, Leo, Doug, and Bob and so many unnamed others who treated our mom with kindness. Also remembered by many nieces, nephews, former coworkers, friends, and neighbours and by all her family’s furry friends. Mom was a ray of sunshine, and she made a difference to all whose lives she touched.
Mom was a long-time employee of both Sears Canada, and the Government of Ontario (O.H.I.P and K.P.H). She was an active member and volunteer of the Seniors Association in Kingston for many years - receiving her 15-year Volunteer Service Pin. Mom was grief-stricken when she lost her Bill. He was the Love of her Life. They had always done so many things together. They were involved in many community organizations, and they loved to travel. They were very involved with family. They made birthday cakes for children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, etc. Bill would make the cakes and mom would decorate them. They also made jams and jellies - from apple trees and grape vines from their own yard, and from pick-your-own strawberries. They did this mostly for the joy of giving them away. They loved to arrange get-togethers with family – both with their children and with there siblings. (Bill’s roast beef was the BEST). Mom continued to do these things for many years after she lost beloved Bill. It made her feel close to him. Mom loved to sing, to dance, and to laugh. She loved country music - and she loved to polka. Despite our great sorrow, we also feel the profound joy of our loving parents as they are reunited in Heaven for Eternity. We know they are now singing and dancing with the angels.
Resting at the James Reid Funeral Home on John Counter Blvd. There will be a visitation on Sunday, December 5, 2021 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. Funeral service will be held in the Chapel on Monday, December 6, 2021 at 11:00 am. All are welcome to attend however masks must be worn and proof of double vaccination and ID will be required to enter the building. Interment to follow at Cataraqui Cemetery, Beside her beloved Bill (her wonderful Willie) and her 2 beautiful daughters. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Association, the Diabetes Association, or St. Thomas Anglican Church.
In memory of our mom, she would like you to hug someone you love, today and every day.
When I’m Gone
When I come to the end of my journey
And I’ve traveled my last weary mile,
Just forget, if you can, that I’ve ever frowned
And remember only my smile.
Forget unkind words I have spoken,
Remember some good I have done,
Forget that I ever had heartache
Just remember I’ve had lots of fun.
Forget that I’ve stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way.
Remember
I have fought some hard battles
And won, ‘ere the close of the day.
Then forget to grieve for my going,
I would not have you sad for a day.
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay.
Sometimes come at the first breath of sunshine
When the breeze softly wafts from the west
Stand a few moments beside me
And remember only my best.
