Erminie Wetmore

Erminie Wetmore (née Black)

January 16, 1935 – August 18, 2021

Erminie passed away peacefully at Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa with her daughter, Janet and son-in-law, Rudy by her side. Predeceased by her husband of 55 years, (Gordon) Ross who passed away in 2012.

Loving mother to Jim (Karen), Janet (Rudy Stavinga) and Joan. Nana to Rory (Aurélie), Tokutaro, Hisami and Etsuko. Great Nana to Élina. Also survived by her brother Andrew (Susanne), sister-in-law, Shelley Johnston and her nieces and nephews residing in the Maritimes as well as in the Toronto area.

Predeceased by her parents Charles Dryden and Laura Gertrude Black (Little) as well as her forever younger brother, John.

At an early age Erminie could be found splashing in the waters of local swimming pools in Toronto. Erminie would soon learn to be a graceful, yet powerful swimmer and water would  become her second home and lifelong love. Summers were enjoyed at Camp Tanamakoon and Gull Lake, near Miner’s Bay, amongst family and friends. Swimming, canoeing and fishing were many of her joys.

Erminie graduated in February 1953 from the Shaw’s Kingsway Business School and a few years later met her future husband, Ross. Despite this blossoming love, 65 years ago this June, Erminie, along with a girlfriend, set out from Montreal on a steamer to land in Liverpool to begin a 3½ month adventure touring cities in Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Holland, Belgium and Scotland.  During this time away, Ross wrote Erminie prolifically to confess his love to her. Upon Erminie’s return on the SS Saxonia at Quebec City she was met by Ross who proposed to Erminie. They were married on March 16, 1957.

Erminie and Ross began their life as a married couple in Windsor, Ontario then settling in Ancaster, Ontario for over two decades. In the early 80’s Mom and Dad moved west to Edmonton, Alberta. In each place they called home family would come together, and new and lasting friendships were made.

In the early years during the summer you could find Mom swimming, canoeing, and sailing at the Hamilton Yacht Club. Camping at Killbear Provincial Park on Georgian Bay became a mainstay for the Wetmore family for many summers. In winter she turned to curling and cross country skiing. In Edmonton, Erminie picked up golf and enjoyed new friendships at the Devon Golf and Country Club. While in living in the west, Mom and Dad experienced the beauty of Maui – a magical island surrounded by  aquamarine waters. First visited on their 25th Wedding Anniversary, they were able to experience Hawaii more frequently in their later years. Bridge was also a game of joy for Erminie and the perfect activity to forge deep friendships with the women who came into her life.

Ermine also welcomed furry and not so furry creatures into her life and into the heart of our family from dogs, cats, a turtle, a budgie, and an aquarium of fish.

Exuberant laughter and a deep and abiding love were Mom’s gifts to her family and friends. Her family and friends meant the world to her and as she did for them.

Our dearest Mom is now reunited and enfolded in the infinite love of those of her family and friends who have passed before her. Mom has returned to the water and she is swimming once again with grace, ease and beauty.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Our sincerest thanks to the team of doctors, nurses and caregivers of the Queensway Carleton Hospital who supported Mom over the six days that she remained in their care. Your compassion and commitment to ensuring her last earthly journey was one of dignity and peace will be forever remembered by our family.

Our thanks as well to those kind and gentle souls at Granite Ridge Care Community in Stittsville who cared for our Mom over the last six years.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memoriam donation to Parkinson Canada or the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. Condolences and sharing of memories may be posted at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com