Obituary for Velma E. Blom
Velma Eleanor Blom, was called home by her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Velma was born in her grandparents' Crozier farmhouse on February 9, 1930. She was raised by her Finnish grandparents, John and Hilma Blom, as their "pikkutytto" (little girl).
Velma loved her life on the farm and the warmth and love of her grandparents. She grew up speaking Finnish, only learning English when she started school. The Finns have a word for internal strength, "sisu", and Velma had that in abundance. She was not deterred by obstacles; she met them head on or found a way around them.
Velma was employed as a waitress and cook in restaurants, logging camps and tourist resorts. She worked long hours, made great food, and made friendships in the process. Her last job was at La Verendrye Hospital where she was a dietary aid in the cafeteria.
Family was very important to Velma. She loved getting together with her children and grandchildren. Sunday after church there was a standing invitation to either go out to McDonald's or come over to her apartment for a tasty lunch. Velma followed the activities of her family and had a huge collection of articles cut out from the Times if it involved her kids or grandkids. She loved visits with the great grandchildren and sorely missed the ones who lived too far away.
Friendships were also important. She wrote faithfully to her pen pal, Noreen, for 80 years. She had cards she received as a schoolgirl from classmates and letters from overseas friends that she had written to for fifty years. When she retired from the hospital, Velma took a trip to BC, finally getting to meet the pen pal she'd been writing to since age 10. She also flew to UK and met the family she'd corresponded with for many years.
For years, Velma was a regular at the pool for Aquasizes. The cold weather did not deter her. It is hard to say which she enjoyed most, the workouts or sitting in the sauna afterwards talking with her pool friends.
Velma was so grateful for the help that she received from "her girls" in Assisted Living. They were such a support to her, and she had unique connections with each of them.
As a young woman, Velma committed her life to Christ and was baptized. She was a charter member of Bethel Baptist Church where she was active on committees and as a Sunday School teacher. Later she enjoyed the fellowship and worship at The Church of the Holy Spirit.
Velma was predeceased by her mother, Rose Brown, grandparents, John and Hilma Blom, brothers Bill and Buddy Brown, and also by her great grandson, Simeon Wiebe. She is survived by her brother Bob Brown, her three children, Ken (Diane) Tetreault, Eleanor (Wayne) Barron and Frank (Traci) Lockman and her grandchildren, Mandy, Kathryn, Angela, Joanna, Lisa, David and Mark and their families.
Because of COVID-19, there will be no funeral service. Cremation will take place, and a graveside family gathering will be planned for August 5, 1p.m. at Riverview Cemetery Fort Frances, Ontario.
Memories and condolences may be made at Northridge Funeral Home website.
Velma loved her life on the farm and the warmth and love of her grandparents. She grew up speaking Finnish, only learning English when she started school. The Finns have a word for internal strength, "sisu", and Velma had that in abundance. She was not deterred by obstacles; she met them head on or found a way around them.
Velma was employed as a waitress and cook in restaurants, logging camps and tourist resorts. She worked long hours, made great food, and made friendships in the process. Her last job was at La Verendrye Hospital where she was a dietary aid in the cafeteria.
Family was very important to Velma. She loved getting together with her children and grandchildren. Sunday after church there was a standing invitation to either go out to McDonald's or come over to her apartment for a tasty lunch. Velma followed the activities of her family and had a huge collection of articles cut out from the Times if it involved her kids or grandkids. She loved visits with the great grandchildren and sorely missed the ones who lived too far away.
Friendships were also important. She wrote faithfully to her pen pal, Noreen, for 80 years. She had cards she received as a schoolgirl from classmates and letters from overseas friends that she had written to for fifty years. When she retired from the hospital, Velma took a trip to BC, finally getting to meet the pen pal she'd been writing to since age 10. She also flew to UK and met the family she'd corresponded with for many years.
For years, Velma was a regular at the pool for Aquasizes. The cold weather did not deter her. It is hard to say which she enjoyed most, the workouts or sitting in the sauna afterwards talking with her pool friends.
Velma was so grateful for the help that she received from "her girls" in Assisted Living. They were such a support to her, and she had unique connections with each of them.
As a young woman, Velma committed her life to Christ and was baptized. She was a charter member of Bethel Baptist Church where she was active on committees and as a Sunday School teacher. Later she enjoyed the fellowship and worship at The Church of the Holy Spirit.
Velma was predeceased by her mother, Rose Brown, grandparents, John and Hilma Blom, brothers Bill and Buddy Brown, and also by her great grandson, Simeon Wiebe. She is survived by her brother Bob Brown, her three children, Ken (Diane) Tetreault, Eleanor (Wayne) Barron and Frank (Traci) Lockman and her grandchildren, Mandy, Kathryn, Angela, Joanna, Lisa, David and Mark and their families.
Because of COVID-19, there will be no funeral service. Cremation will take place, and a graveside family gathering will be planned for August 5, 1p.m. at Riverview Cemetery Fort Frances, Ontario.
Memories and condolences may be made at Northridge Funeral Home website.