Lynn, Frank,Joanna, Cristina Spinato and family
Lynn, Frank and girls
So sorry to hear about your mom Lynn. I’m glad she had such a great family to care for her. Please take care and thinking of you all.
Lorraine passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on March 23, 2025, age 91, at the Blanche River Health-Kirkland Lake site.
Born February 19, 1934 on a farm near Hartney, Manitoba to John and Laura Scharff. Lorraine was the little sister to the late Marge (Barrows) and Bill Scharff. An active child and teenager, she was the pitcher on the soft-ball team (and proud of that as they made it to the provincials!), enjoyed skating, piano lessons, spending time with her brother, and was a member of the 4-H Club, all in addition to working on the farm. Lorraine had a strong work ethic and never complained—and remained that way all her life.
In 1954 Lorraine married Neil Davreux, the handsome fellow who lived on a nearby farm. In the following 63 years they would seldom be apart. In 1958 Neil accepted a job offer in Larder Lake, ON, and they relocated with their two daughters. Two more daughters were later welcomed into the family. Many trips were made back to Manitoba to visit family as remaining close to their relatives was important to them.
A stay-at-home mom, Lorraine learned to be thrifty and resourceful—honing her homemaking skills including baking, sewing, knitting, quilting, pickling, and preserving jams and jellies—the latter, a testament to her sweet tooth! The cookie jar had an endless supply of oatmeal cookies, Neil's favourite and her grand-daughters too. Many friends and family members were recipients of her beautifully knitted slippers, sweaters and mitts. Right up to her later years, her knitting needles could be heard clicking away as she sat and passed the evenings. She braided many rugs using recycled material. Making jig saw puzzles and reading were other favourite pastimes. Throughout her life she kept herself busy and it seemed she always had a project on the go. Mom, along with Dad, enjoyed touring around to parts of Canada on many road trips and vacations with family.
For many years, she enjoyed curling and was a member of the Larder Lake United Church Women's Auxiliary and the Larder Lake Senior's Club. Most of all, Mom loved being outdoors. Even as a young teenager, she preferred to be outside doing chores than inside doing housework! She enjoyed tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, picking blueberries, camping and working alongside Neil cutting and stacking their winter's wood. Fit as a fiddle, she discovered cross-country skiing in her middle age years and skied well into her 80's. When it was time to slow down, then came snow-shoeing. Staying active, Mom enjoyed walking and was always the one upfront leading the way.
Over the years, Mom was a helpful neighbour and reliable friend to many. Being very modest, she never liked to draw attention to herself or have anyone make a fuss over her. She was the one in the background, getting things done. She had a quiet but friendly nature, was easygoing, independent, cheerful and quick to accomplish any task.
Small but mighty, very determined (and stubborn!), she had to be reminded not to go on the roof to shovel off the snow. Mom stayed in her Larder home until she moved to Kirkland in 2022. (Thank you to neighbours Ted, Jim, Kevin and Mitch for helping mom and Lakeshore apartment neighbours as well).
Many fond memories were made at “Grandma and Grandpa's house” where all the family gatherings took place. And the dinners were not complete without her tasty homemade buns.
We were blessed to have had her in our lives for so long.
She was the beloved wife of the late Neil Davreux (2018) and cherished mother of Lynn (Frank Spinato), Beverly (Richard LaPorte), Brenda (Whalen Hong) and Darlene (Joe Horne). Lovingly remembered by her six granddaughters, Joanna (Hassan), Cristina, Vanessa (Brian), Jennifer, Jessica (Donny), Emily (Devon). Great-grandma to Jonah, Isaac, Kobe, Daphne, Jaxson, Boden, and Brantley. Remembered by sister-in-law Marion Morris, brother-in-law Maurice Hammond, close friends Sharon Allen and Pat Hurst, and many nieces, nephews friends and neighbours.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the many health care professionals for their support and compassion throughout mom's journey, including Amber, Steph, the VON caregivers, Donna, Tara, Dr. Moore, Dr. Kurki, and Jen and Jenn (Palliative Care nurses).
Respecting Mom's wishes, cremation has taken place.
To honour mom's memory, friends and neighbours are invited to attend a reception at the Timiskaming Funeral Cooperative – Kirkland Lake on Monday, March 31, 2025 11 am. to
1 pm. where we will share stories, photos, laughter and tears.
A graveside service will take place at a later date at Riverside Cemetery, Hartney, Manitoba where her ashes will be interred next to Neil.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Timiskaming Hospice Palliative Care, 145 Government Rd E, Suite 407, Kirkland Lake ON P2N 3P4 or a charity of your choice.
You have earned your rest, Mom. We will forever miss your quiet presence in our lives.