Ramona Louise Smith Caskenette Bloomer
Beautiful here at 29, our Mom died this week at 97 with that beauty somehow undiminished. She was first and always a proud Cape Breton Smith, fifth child of two of the best kind from the Colony of Newfoundland.
She had the four of us: Dave, Jeff, Mike, and Carla in 54 months, and through stormy beginnings taught us to keep our chins up, to be free and independent, and we are that and just a little too sure of ourselves as well. Against that she loved and valued Louise McKay and Karen Halkier and Marlena Wyman and Mike Perry for forever and still keeping us grounded as much as possible.
In a long adventure she lived across the country and made friends everywhere and kept them always. She outlived most and in time forgave the few scoundrels and exalted the many heroes. In her later years she treasured more than a few: dear Harriet and Mike in Halifax, Jenny and Tommy and Julia in Harbour Main, and Linda and Desi and Jeremy and their crew here in Edmonton. There will be happy tears from them and many more when they read this.
She had at least two phrases worth remembering. In the skinny times (and there were a few for sure) she told us “We’re not poor - we’re just broke!” And when things were good she would pause and say “I wonder what the poor people are doing?” She said a good life could be summed up in three words - “Hard but fun!”.
She left school in Grade 11 but read widely and wisely with no time for dreck. She knew more poetry than a dozen PHD’s. Robbie Burns was always beside her bed and gets the last word:
“If there’s another world she lives in bliss -
If there is none she made the best of this.”
We want to thank the Glenrose hospital for getting her back on track after a bad fall a while ago. They gave her and us five more years of precious excitement.
And she marvelled every day at the kindness she saw everywhere at the Sturgeon Hospital these last two weeks. She was so grateful for the MAID program and to live in a country where a person’s agency and dignity are there until their last breath.
MES SINCERES CONDOLÉANCES A TOUTE LA FAMILLE
I feel lucky to have had Mona as a grandma figure in my life. She taught me about the special magic of hunting for treasures at antique and thrift stores, and the necessity of fudge at every special occasion. I am especially grateful that Mona and my Grandma Marlene had each other’s companionship at Britannia Garden. I know Marlene cherished their friendship. Sending all my love, Rye.
Gone but never forgotten. Auntie Mona will live on in our hearts.
‘To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die’ Thomas Campbell
Love, Maureen
Dear Jeff and Karen, and all your extended family: Dwight and I enjoyed the many delightful stories of Mona over the years, lighting our visits with delightful laughter. It seems to me that Mona was a force to be reckoned with, and managed life to the utmost of her ability. Our hearts are with you during this time of adjustment to a huge change in all your lives.
With Love, Dwight and Elaine Czyz
Grandma Mona will be missed. I’ll never forget our first meeting, she was a ball of energy and fun. I loved her from that moment on. Rest in peace Mona….until we meet again.
Love
Helen
(Shannon, Nevaya and Lexi)
We are saddened to hear of Mona’s passing but delighted to learn that she went her way. I (Liz) so admired her zest for life and her wonderful spirit and her entrepreneurial drive. Always keep her memories alive. I have often thought about her and asked Tommy about her. Cheers to you Mona. I’m sure you’ll sort them all out on the other side once you get there.
Jeff, Dave, Mike, Carla & Family.
So sorry to hear of Mona’s passing. Know our thoughts & prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
One of my fondest memories of Mona was the Sunday we had her down for jiggs dinner. Fearless & loving a good laugh especially for someone in there 80’s asks to go for a spin on the quad.. We hops on heading for Gallows Cove & then over to Gaskiers not even wearing a helmet. Later that day my mother said all you could see was Mona’s white hair flying.
R.I.P. Mona..gone but won’t be forgotten.
Dear David Jeff, Carla and Michael,
It has taken awhile for me , to put this in words, Mona entered my life with a Bang.She was smart articulate, able to give you the 5 letter word across, discuss all things Politic, great pastry maker,lovely singer, read the best books and an amazing travel companion..jumping in the lake in Vernon, visiting the homestead in Sydney or hanging laundry out in Italy, we had “good times” most of all we laughed, all the time and I am so lucky to have had her in my life.
I am so grateful she could make this last choice,
I will miss her forever
My sincere condolences to Dave, Jeff, Carla, Mike and the extended family.
Mona was a compelling personality who experienced life to the fullest, and had the intelligence and determination to choose her own path and stickhandle the consequences with confidence and wry humour. Thank you for showing us the way both in life, and in passing Mona. ‘They don’t make ’em like they used to!’ God bless.
So sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. My mom, Marion Buckle of Avondale, Newfoundland (Jenny and Betty’s sister) had the great pleasure of meeting Mona on a flight from Alberta to Newfoundland over 26 years ago. My son was born on July 26, 1998, and Mona, after just meeting them came to the hospital with my Mom and aunts to welcome my son into the world. She was one of a kind! We all welcomed Mona into our family and she attended many events and made frequent visits over the years to see them. She made immediate connections with everyone and truly felt like family. Mona was a beautiful, extremely well dressed, kind and intellectual woman. She was very good to my mom. Sadly my beautiful mom passed 8 years ago at the age of only 61. They are reunited now. My sincere condolences on the passing of your beautiful mother. Her spirit and positive energy will not be forgotten. My heart aches for your loss.
Thanks for these kind thoughts. I always wondered who got the better of the deal. Was Newfoundland luckier to get Mom, or was Mom luckier to get all she found on The Rock? Most likely both sides were winners!
We bought her house in Harbour Main and during the process, got to know, and enjoy, Mona. She was a lovely Lady inside and out. RIP, Mone. Gone but not forgotten, for sure.
Thanks for these kind thoughts. I always wondered who got the better of the deal. Was Newfoundland luckier to get Mom, or was Mom luckier to get all she found on The Rock? Most likely both sides were winners!
Mom loved doing jigsaw puzzles with us, and all these beautiful messages are like important, revealing pieces adding to the large, colourful, wonderful portrait of the Mona we all knew! (I might also mention that she usually held back one or two pieces in a pocket, so she would be sure to have the honour of finishing the picture!!) Thank you all for sharing – it lifts my heart to know how loved she was.
Gigi always had the best tales and poems to share, making everyone in the room smile. I always loved hearing about when she was my age. She told me that when she was young she dreamed of being a singer and would spend hours in her garage, hosting little performances with her and her friends. We share a love for music, and as long as Chloe and I are alive, so is Gigi. At least that is what she said 🙂 . My favorite poem Gigi would always tell me is little orphan Annie-
“The goblins will get you if you don’t watch out.”
I’m so grateful that I got to know my great grandmother for as long as I did. Not many other people get to experience the love from somebody that special. My Gigi was the most knowledgeable person I knew, and she passed her knack for poetry and love for stories on to me. Every time that we spoke she would ask me about what book I was reading and what my favourite parts were. She often had a poem to tell me before we said goodbye. My personal favourite was about the babes in the woods. Of course, if we weren’t reciting poetry together we were watching the Young and the Restless. In Mona’s words, they’re never too young to start.
Gigi always had the best tales and poems to share, making everyone in the room smile. I always loved hearing about when she was my age. She told me that when she was young she dreamed of being a singer and would spend hours in her garage, hosting little performances with her and her friends. We share a love for music, and as long as Chloe and I are alive, so is Gigi. At least that is what she said! My favorite poem Gigi would always tell me is Little Orphan Annie-
“The goblins will get you if you don’t watch out!”
Sent from my iPad
Sincere condolences on the passing of your mom,grandmom& great grandmother
She was indeed a spunky lady, who lived life to the fullest
I spent many nights in her company either wallpaperingor painting the kitchen cupboards
Many a story was told about her travels& indeed about her family whom she loved dearly
Rest in peace Mona
Heaven will never be the same but I’m sure you’ll keep everyone on their toes.