Dear Aaron, just wanted to let you know that you are in our thoughts during this difficult time in your life. We know how much you loved your grandma. As a volunteer, my Mom would go and play cards or bingo with your grandmother. She said although she was a quiet lady, she enjoyed company. Please pass on our sincere condolences to your family.
WANDA ACTON,
2021
In Memory of Wanda (Nagel) Acton Feb 28, 1917 – Oct. 29, 2010 Loving mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, Wanda passed away ¬¬¬¬¬peacefully, Oct. 29, 2010, at Teck Pioneer Residence, Kirkland Lake, Ont. She is pre-deceased by her husband Fred Acton and survived by her children: Jay Acton (Peter Maheux) of Mont Tremblant, Que.; Bill Acton (Christine) of Kenogami, Ont.; Linda Acton-Riddle (Gordon Riddle) of Bracebridge, Ont.; Wendy Acton of London, Ont.; Gord Acton (Diane) of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.; Wanda’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Ryan O’Grady (Felicia Minotti), Bryanna and Grace of Ottawa, Ont.; Shanna Laughton (Peter), Ava and Blake of Ottawa, Ont.; Austin Acton (Jane) of North Bay, Ont.; Aaron Acton of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Erin Riddle (Ted Masuda), Hudson of Toronto, Ont.; and Carol-Ann Riddle of Bracebridge, Ont.; Gavan Acton (Lindsay), Claire and Sydney of London, Ont., Lise-Marie Acton of Kelowna, B.C., Brigitte Acton-Smith (Mike Smith) of Tampa, Florida. Fred Nagel of Moose Jaw, Sask. is Wanda’s surviving brother. She was pre-deceased by her three sisters Lydia, Martha, and Elsie and two brothers Erhart, and Albert Nagel. Wanda was born near Mazenod, Sask, Feb. 28, 1917. Her parents, German immigrants from Volhynia, Russia struggled to farm on rocky prairie ground. Wanda moved as a young woman to Kirkland Lake during the great depression and soon found work in a private home cooking and sewing for the family. She married Fred Acton in 1940 and they celebrated 57 anniversaries! Besides raising 5 children, Wanda was involved in church activities and the local community. Through the years, as the children were growing up, Wanda took a number of evening courses at KLCVI, the high school. Her children remember her sewing most of their clothing and the girls always had newly created hats in the spring for church. She learned to ski and taught the youngest children the basics before they were taught parallel skiing by their dad. At ski races she could be counted on to be at the bottom of the hill with a bag of extra mittens for anyone who needed dry ones and to cheer every racer on. Long before it was the norm, she demonstrated that adults too could have fun on Halloween! She soon developed a reputation for her creations and increased the number of trick-or-treaters who came to her door. One year she had a small electric organ on the dining table dressed as a cow. She wore a milkmaid’s costume and gave out small homemade milk shakes. Another year she dressed as a witch cackling as she gave out warmed juice with cinnamon, called "witches brew". Wanda always welcomed friends to visit, especially her children’s friends. Some neighbours learned to sew clothing under her tutelage while others learned that they could help her in the garden to pick strawberries or raspberries and receive some in return. She learned to strip and refinish furniture and with Fred’s help they repaired and refinished many pieces over the years. These lovely pieces are lasting legacies of Wanda’s creative work in the homes of her family and friends. She suffered a stroke in 2001 which left her partially paralyzed. Although difficult at first, she soon adapted to the challenge and celebrated each re-learned task once she had accomplished it. Both she and Fred had volunteered at T.P.R. and knew many of the staff and residents. She chose T.P.R. as her final home and was amazed at the spaciousness when the residents were moved to the new building. Wanda attended all the activities at T.P.R. and since her faith kept her going through trials and tribulations she attended all religious services offered at T.P.R. Thank you to the dedicated staff and residents who helped make her life enjoyable in her final years. Family members and visitors have noted and will always be grateful for the personal caring attitude of the staff at T.P.R. A Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel at Teck Pioneer Residence on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Wanda will be laid to rest in the Kirkland Lake Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Wanda’s memory to the Teck Pioneer Residence (Postal Bag 3800, Kirkland Lake, ON. P2N 3P4). Donations to one’s favourite charity are also welcome.Offer Condolence for the family of Wanda Acton
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