In loving memory of Blanche Lenore Crowe, age 85 years, who passed away Monday December 4th, 2017 in the Dryden Regional Health Centre.
Blanche is survived by her children Larry Crowe of Dryden, Cheryl (Roger) Selman of Dryden, Lavonne (Donald) Edison of Dryden, Stuart Crowe of Strathroy ON, Kevin Crowe of Dryden and Joseph (Fran Collins) Crowe of Dryden, 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, siblings Stuart Mainville of Thunder Bay, Ronald Mainville of Fort Frances, Daniel (Myra) Mainville of Fort Frances, Lester Mainville of Fort Frances and Marcie Mainville of Fort Frances, as well as numerous other relatives and friends.
She is also being missed by her long time furry friend, her cat Ringo.
Blanche was predeceased by her husband Robert Douglas Crowe (Tiny), their daughter Tammy Marie Crowe, her parents Daniel and Madeline Mainville, brothers Louie Mainville, Roger Mainville, sisters Betty Cook and Elaine Singleton.
Blanche was born on August 19th, 1932 in Fort Frances on Couchiching First Nations Reserve to Daniel and Madeline Mainville.
Mom came from a family of 10 children. She attended Residential school from the age of 5 or 6 and completed grade 10.
Mom went to work at a tourist camp for a few years with her long-time friend Florence Foly, from the many stories we were told growing up I’m sure they liked their job.
Mom married the love of her life (Tiny Crowe) in 1952 and shortly after Tiny was off to the Korean War. Once dad returned home they started their family. They had 6 children in all, so needless to say there was never a dull moment in our house. Once we were older mom went to work at the Wayfare and Trans Canada restaurants as a waitress for many years. Mom also worked in the Dryden Mill for 20 years. After she retired in 1994 she did some traveling.
Mom also volunteered to do meals on wheels with her good friend and cousin Marion Berglund.
Mom loved her family dearly and as long as we were all fine then she was fine. She loved going back to Fort Frances to visit family. She loved shopping and was always buying something for one of her children, grandchildren or great grandchildren. When mom and dad’s first grandchild was born they were overjoyed to say the least. Dawn-Marie was one very spoiled little girl. There was no other prettier, funnier or smarter little girl according to her Nana and Poppa. Oh mom loved all of her grandchildren but the first one born always holds a special spot in their lives.
In the summer mom loved her hanging baskets of flowers that her and her son Larry took very good care of. In the winter it was the birds that mom and Larry loved to watch and feed. Mom loved to have family gatherings or even just a visit with friends.
Let’s just say mom just loved life.