Amelia Rose VAN CLEEF

1929 - 2021

Daughter of Caroline and James Hardiman July 26, 1929 - March 30, 2021 The world lost a little bit of sparkle today. This glamorous gal, Amelia, arrived by boat from London, England, on Thanksgiving Day 1957, with only her luggage and a dream of a new life in Canada. 'Millie' said the country was so happy she arrived, they gave everyone the day off. Amelia prided herself on raising 3 wonderful children who surrounded her with 7 beautiful grandchildren and 3 gorgeous great-grandchildren. She would tell anyone who would listen that it was her greatest contribution back to her new home, Canada. In the early years, Amelia was an avid traveller, enjoyed life, telling how she participated in VE Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square, London at age 17, and she loved to dance. In Canada, she worked as a radiology transcriber at the Hamilton General Hospital, met our Dad, Hank, and became a homemaker. Amelia loved to read and was a self-taught seamstress, sewing dresses, ballet and Halloween costumes as well as Cub and Brownie badges on uniforms. Amelia also volunteered, drove to many a hockey arena and made a wicked potato salad for the house parties she and Dad hosted. In her later years, she became a doting Grandma and loved to tell her life stories and always carried photos of her expanding family to show to friends, the ladies in her building and even the handy-van driver. Amelia celebrated her 91st birthday in July 2020. This past year has been especially hard, because "Mrs. V" always wanted to be able and independent, and felt she would live that way, forever. The amazing staff at Maple Villa made her final few months very comfortable and she was lovingly cared for. Amelia will always be remembered for her smile, sharp wit, her dazzling style and her enormous love for her family. Dearly missed by daughter Joanna, with grandson Brandon (Kirkwood) and partner Robyn; son Gerry with grandsons Nick, Alex and Jacob; and son Bob and wife Audrey, with granddaughter Caitlin and partner Justin and her darling greatgrandchildren Charlotte, Brady and Peyton; granddaughter Carly and husband Jesse; and grandson Iain Burton. Cremation has taken place, with a private family Celebration of Life held Saturday April 3rd, 2021. Donations in Amelia's memory can be made to the Maple Villa LTC Centre, Burlington, for "Staff Appreciation" or "Life Enrichment". "Let me leave no grave to weep over, let me blow free in ashes, unfettered by the bonds of earth, warmed in the sun, soothed by the gentle rains. Let me dance to the music of the wind. Remember me not with tears, nor sadness, nor regret, but with these: The soft glow of the sun as it rises in the eastern sky; A song that fills the senses and soothes the savage heart; A child's laughter that warms even the disheartened and reassures us of our only hope of immortality. Remember me."