Lucy Elizabeth MAPLESDEN

LUCY ELIZABETH MAPLESDEN Peacefully from natural causes in her 105th year, Lucy Elizabeth Maplesden died at Upper Canada Lodge in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario on the first day of Spring, Wednesday the 20th of March, 2019. Born in Toronto on the 26th of January, 1915 to Francis Edward and Lucy (Gregory) Rawlings, to her family she was known as 'Bess'. Elizabeth lived in Acton and Guelph, Ontario, Walnut Springs, Texas, Ithaca, New York, Neshanic Station, New Jersey and settled in Rose Cottage in the Old Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario in 1982. Treasured mother of Anne (John Hopkins) Niagara-on-the-Lake, John (Christine Husband) Dornie, Scotland and Tarifa Spain, Mary Jane (David 'Skip' Galloway) Marshalton, Pennsylvania, Joann (Tom Taylor) Toronto. Beloved Grandmother of JB Hopkins (Stacy Turner) Niagara-on-the-Lake, Francis Hopkins (Brigitte Steiner) Banff, Alberta, Alice Lutraan (Paul) Hamilton, Ontario, Kyle Maplesden (Sharon Edis) Manchester, UK, Tavis Maplesden (Marie Dorgan) Ottawa, Mallory Pambianchi (Michael Mullan) Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, Edmund Taylor Toronto, Rennie Taylor Toronto. Proud and loving Great Grandmother of Lucy, Elizabeth, Boyd Hopkins - Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ingrid and Rosali Hopkins - Banff, Alberta, Richard Edwards, Olivia and Emily Laurenssen - Hamilton, Skye and Quanah Maplesden - Manchester, UK, Charlie Maplesden - Ottawa. She was predeceased by her former husband Dr. Douglas C. Maplesden, Dean of the Ontario Veterinary College from 1979 to 1985 in July 2017 and by her two sisters, Vera Mattocks and Frances Cargo all of whom lived well into their 90's. Returning to school after 20 years of raising a family, Elizabeth earned a BA in English and an MA in Education and English from Trenton State University and following that graduated as an LPN. Settling in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, she was active in the University Women's Club, Niagara-on-the-Lake Lawn Bowling Club, Niagara Falls Curling Club, The Shaw Guild, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Fellowship and the Ulyssean Society. Elizabeth loved to travel: she made numerous trips to England, visited Zimbabwe in her 80s and taught English in Japan for six months. As a young married woman she was proud to be a member of the IODE. After she moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake she thoroughly enjoyed running a modest yet active B&B which she continued until she was 97 years old. For a time it was one of only three B&B's listed in The Lonely Planet for Niagara-on-the-Lake. She hosted memorable yearly picnics for five generations of relatives and made family dinner every Thursday night. She was renowned for her delicious homemade bread and rolls. Her love of gardening was learned from her English father. She could always discuss American politics and read The Globe and Mail every day until she was 101 years old. She was an voracious reader especially about British history. She devoured The New York Times on Sunday and for several days following she read every section. Her correspondence with many Canadian and international friends spanned 80 years of her life. In her nineties she learned to send emails to the family and in her 103rd year asked for an iPhone (wish deferred). Elizabeth lived in her own home until one month short of her 99th birthday and after a fall was fortunate to have a home for the rest of her life in the exceptional care at Upper Canada Lodge in Niagara-on-the Lake three blocks from her house. She supported numerous charities both at home and abroad throughout her life. Her family would be honoured if you would wish to give a donation in her memory to a charity that is dear to your heart. A toast to her long life with a Rob Roy cocktail (or your favourite tipple) would bring a smile to her face. Elizabeth's family would like to thank the extraordinary staff at Upper Canada Lodge for their care of Elizabeth and Jane Garrett her patient personal helper for many years. Cremation has taken place. Her ashes will be buried close to her beloved parents in Halton Hills Cemetery, Acton, Ontario on the 31st of May, 2019. A Memorial Gathering will take place in Niagara-on-the-Lake on the 1st of June, 2019 in the garden of her former home. Hopefully her favourite tree peony will be in bloom. Though her death is an enormous loss to her family her life will be joyfully and fondly remembered. Arrangements made by Morgan Funeral Home Niagara-on-the Lake, ON. She always asked to be remembered as 'A Sensible Person'