July 8, 1934 - May 6, 2023
After a very short illness, Mom passed peacefully on May 6, 2023, at St. Thomas General Hospital, comforted by her immediate and extended family.
She was born July 8, 1934, in Chatham On and lived all but the last 18 years of her life on the 5th concession in Raleigh Township, just outside of Chatham On.
On October 4th, 1952, she married Bill Sereda and made a life with Dad on the “5th”, just 2 farms away from where Dad had been raised. They were married for nearly 67 years until Dad’s passing in October of 2019.
Together, they raised 4 sons; Michael (Cathy), Mark (Shirley), Steven (Joanne) and David (Wendy). Those 4 sons, amongst other accomplishments, blessed Bill and Olga with 8 grandchildren; Andrea (Christopher), Matthew (Emily), Jason (Jackie), Will, Alex (Emma), Mitchel (Chloe), Dawson, and Hayley and 5 great-grandchildren; Hazel, Beatrice, Finnigan, Otis and Adrienne.
Mom would light up when hearing of the accomplishments of her kids, grandkids, and great-grand kids. While in long term care, she would joke with the older ones and thoroughly enjoyed the antics of the younger. Surrounding her were testaments to the accomplishments of her children, pictures of her family and hand drawn “works of art” from her great grandkids. She truly was proud of and loved them all.
Mom was an avid volunteer all of her adult life. She contributed to St. Andrew’s United Church in Chatham as a Girl Guide leader and a Scouting Volunteer. The number of camps where she was “chief cook and bottle washer” are too many to number.
As well, she was an avid member and volunteer at Wheels Motor Inn. As kids, it was always a race to see who would make it home first, Mom or us on the bus. Usually, she won.
Her love of animals was renowned. She took in stray cats, dogs, goats, and raccoons. No shortage of animals found a home with Mom.
To the end, she had a keen interest in farming, reading and current events. Her grasp of the world of the day was uncanny.
Mom was never one for ceremony. Honouring her wishes, she has been cremated and a celebration of her life will occur at the home place, where her ashes will be spread next to Dad’s. A glass or two of wine will be raised in Mom’s memory, I’m sure.
Thank you to the staff at Chartwells Aylmer for your support while Mom lived with you. It is appreciated.
Thank you to Dr. Mike Toth of Aylmer. You were more than a doc to Mom; you became her friend.
Thank you to the 2nd floor staff at St. Thomas General for your compassion and support on Mom’s final journey.
Take care Mom, safe journeys. Say hi to Dad.
We love you.
A Celebration of Life will occur for Mom on Sunday May 21, 2023 @ 2:00pm at the home place on the 5th concession Raleigh. All her friends are invited to attend. Bring a lawn chair.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Arthritis Society Canada can be made through:
W.G. Young Funeral Home LTD
