Book of Memories for Alta Margaret Vaughan

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Mon, 09 Jul 2018 12:10:04 EDT

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Mon, 09 Jul 2018 12:09:48 EDT

Condolence From Rachel Smith

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 12:01:38 EDT

On behalf of Chartwell Aurora, I would like to send along our hugs and condolences to you Margaret (Margey as mom called you), Randy and the boys. Thank you for being part of our family over these last five years. Alta brought many smiles, good laugh moments and a good sip of apricot brandy to many. You will all be missed.

Condolence From Lu Traikovich - Gonsalves

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 09:26:43 EDT

A Poem by Linda Ellis I read of a man who stood to speak at a funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning...to the end. He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own, the cars...the house...the cash. What matters is how we lived and loved and how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard; are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged. To be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile...remembering that this special dash might only last a little while. So when your eulogy is being read, with your life's actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about you and how you lived your dash? It was my honour and privilege to be part of Alta’s dash. Her dash was long and strong and she lived proudly. I met Alta when I was about 6 years old. I was introduced to her by my friend Margaret or Margie as she lovingly called her. Although Alta was technically my best friend’s mom she actually became one of my best friends too. And even though I had a mom at home myself, I often referred to Alta as my second mom. We spent long hours at her kitchen table talking and drinking coffee. Lots of coffee. Alta was a giving soul – she gave of her time and her kindness and her delightful culinary skills. There wasn’t a time when she didn’t try to feed me – assuring me I was perfect or maybe even too skinny. Ah come on Luba don’t be silly eat, she would say. Well, I obviously couldn’t say no – she was a great cook and even better baker. But she was also a great woman. Not someone who made a huge splash or led her life loudly – but for those of us who had the privilege to be loved by Alta, it surely enriched our lives. She surely enriched mine. Alta was there for me during very tough times as a young teen. I don’ think she ever knew how much those days at her kitchen table meant to me. Her warmth, generosity and laughter will stay with me forever. Alta loved music. She loved hymns. One of her favourites was One day at a time, and it begins: I'm only human, I'm just a woman. Help me believe in what I could be And all that I am. Show me the stairway, I have to climb. Lord for my sake, teach me to take One day at a time. Alta had many days with us. Though it’s never enough for those of us left behind. But we all are richer for having known Alta. For sharing as many days as we could with her. Although today is about Alta and the precious memories we have of her, I would be remise not to mention the love she shared with her family and for her family. Her first born, Owen. Alta lit up whenever she got a card or package from her Owie who lived out of town with his family. Distance did not mean a thing to Alta, her love for her son was evident whenever she spoke of Owen. Her son-in-law Randy, although Alta and I had our concerns at the beginning, after all, he was courting our Margie, during my visits with Alta, she couldn’t say enough about Randy. She was blessed to have you in her life and you were always there for her. Ryan and John. Alta always talked about her beloved Grandchildren. She was oh so proud of both of them. She did worry about them (she watched way too much CityPulse News) as a grandma does but she knew they were in good hands with Randy and Margaret showing them the right way and carrying on the tradition of keeping family close. And Margie, my Margie as she would say, Alta was so appreciative for all Margie did for her and hoping she was getting her rest while juggling family and work. There isn’t a better daughter a mother could ask for. She did all she could to make Alta at home in the nursing home and comfortable over the years. Her 90th birthday party in the nursing home when the Elvis impersonator showed up will be forever etched in Jackie’s and my brain and I don’t think Elvis was ever the same after that night. She’s gone home, reunited with her George. I can see her now in heaven crocheting with my Mom and calling my Dad the Greek God, we never corrected her, he really was Macedonian. Rest in peace dear Alta, I miss you dearly already, my second Mom.

Condolence From Marina Anderson and family

Sat, 07 Jul 2018 09:24:22 EDT

Dear Margie, Randy, John and Ryan, There has been a great deal of reminiscing taking place over the past couple of days as we all fondly remember our much loved aunt and sister Alta ("she really was a second mother to me"- Marina says). Someone so very kind, who treated everyone the same, who connected with everyone she met and who brought laughter and happiness to her friends and most of all to her family. Here are a few of the many stories shared around the table with tea and tea biscuits. When Alta was home there was always music. Even when she was working around the house washing dishes, cleaning the place, etc there would be the break to play the piano, sing a song or two, then continue working at the job. The old pump organ had a heavy canvas strap that controlled the foot pedals that regulated the air flow and frequently the strap broke in the middle of a song. One of us, often Eoin or myself would be summoned to to sit under the keyboard on the floor and pump the strap by hand in order for the song to be rehearsed to perfection in time for that solo performance for a wedding, funeral or variety show. The strap would later be repaired by daddy. She truly fostered a love of music in all of us. Alta, a talented seamstress, would sew her own gowns for various performances. I can vividly recall a full length yellow, Swiss dot gown with a black belt and matching black choker. At the last minute it was our job to pick a bouquet of wild violets that would be fashioned into a corsage to be worn with the dress. With her dark long hair she was strikingly beautiful. We thought she was the "cat's meow" and she was! One summer Alta and our brother George drove down from Toronto to visit us all in Cape Breton. We spent some great times driving around the island, taking in the sights, getting the visits in, including a few cemeteries, keeping an eye out for moose and swimming in the Atlantic. One day George dropped Alta and I off at Woolworth's Department store to shop. After successfully finding shorts and a top, we were making our way out of the store when Alta spied a bin of $10 dollar "brassieres" and promptly decided to try them on to find the correct size. Much to my dismay, she tried them on over her blouse - no fitting room necessary - thank you very much! No one seemed to notice ... Except for me. Alta found two brassieres to her liking. Later that afternoon, she climbed into the back seat of the car and changed into the shorts and top for that Dominion beach swim. What happens in Cape Breton, stays in Cape Breton. Alta will be greatly missed but will live in on in the hearts and minds of those lives she touched and we can all emulate her unending kindness towards those she met along the way. Truly a loving and inspiring lady. Much love to you all from us here at 510 Atlantic St. Aunt Marina, Wendy and Glenn

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Fri, 06 Jul 2018 14:45:48 EDT

Love you Grandma! From, 'professor' John

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Fri, 06 Jul 2018 14:43:30 EDT

We love you Grandma!

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Fri, 06 Jul 2018 14:39:03 EDT

Grandma and Ryan just hanging out.

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Fri, 06 Jul 2018 14:35:12 EDT

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Fri, 06 Jul 2018 13:53:09 EDT

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Fri, 06 Jul 2018 00:21:55 EDT

A family gathering.

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Fri, 06 Jul 2018 00:21:55 EDT

Brother Gus (91) and Sister Alta (92).

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Fri, 06 Jul 2018 00:21:55 EDT

Happy 92nd Birthday Alta (January 9th).

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Fri, 06 Jul 2018 00:21:55 EDT

The devoted sisters, Louise and Marina.

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Fri, 06 Jul 2018 00:03:25 EDT

A shout out to all the amazing staff at Chartwell and a special thank you to Christine who helped both mom and I during mom's final days. Thank you!

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Thu, 05 Jul 2018 23:39:22 EDT

Randy and Sparkle pay mom a visit.

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Thu, 05 Jul 2018 23:35:01 EDT

Happy 90th Gandma!

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Thu, 05 Jul 2018 23:33:30 EDT

Mom and her boys: Randy, Ryan and John

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Thu, 05 Jul 2018 23:22:22 EDT

Alta loves Sparkle

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Thu, 05 Jul 2018 23:16:38 EDT

Good friends make all the difference.

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Thu, 05 Jul 2018 23:13:33 EDT

Everyone is Irish for a day...

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Thu, 05 Jul 2018 23:11:05 EDT

Love you always and forever mom. XO

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Thu, 05 Jul 2018 09:50:10 EDT