Leona Phyllis Minnikin, of Barrie, Ontario, passed away on October 11, 2022 after a long, long life.
Leona was born in Barrie on March 2, 1921 to Minnie Mulligan of Holland Landing and David Poole, a British Home Child from Liverpool, England. She attended Prince of Wales School right around the corner from their Victoria Street home, and later attended Barrie Central Collegiate.
When World War II broke out, she presented herself as available for factory work if needed, but it wasn’t until 1941 that Leona got her first job, as a switchboard operator at the Bell Telephone Company. It was the beginning of a career that would span just over 40 years. During wartime, as a Bell employee, Leona received her ham radio operator training and licence, in the event she was required to send messages from the phone company’s communication bunker. Over the years, Leona worked in several departments at Bell, where she made the many, many friendships that she maintained until just these past few weeks. When Leona retired in 1982, Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau sent her a letter of thanks for her communications work at Canadian Forces Base Borden.
When you live a long, long time, you have the opportunity to do many things in your lifetime and Leona did just that.
In addition to a career she adored, Leona found time to marry Elmer and have 2 daughters, Phyllis and Deb. When the first grandchild came along, grandparent ‘handles’ were required, and the names ‘Maw and Paw’ were assigned to Leona and Elmer. Leona had never been a stay-at-home mom, so when charged with minding the grandchildren, her very successful go-to tactic, “who’s hungry?” made up for her lack of experience. Not only was Leona ‘Maw’ to her own grandchildren and great grandchildren, but she was ‘Maw’ to her son-in-laws, daughter’s friends and co-workers, friends of grandchildren and so many others who met this spunky granny. She loved being ‘adopted’ and embraced by so many generations.
As a member and volunteer at Collier Street United Church, Leona was part of the committee responsible for the planning of Collier Place Seniors Residence. Later as a member and volunteer at Bethel Community Church, Leona helped in the church office for about 30 years until Covid appeared. Leona loved her church family and was active in many aspects of church life: projects, events and trips. She was never in the church choir however. In spite of a lifelong dream to be an opera singer, carrying a tune was not among her many gifts.
Travel was a big part of Leona’s life and her journeys took her around the world, both in service and for pleasure. Leona travelled across Canada and throughout the U.S. on many occasions, made several trips to the U.K., sightseeing her way around Europe and the Soviet Union. Leona travelled on her own, with friends, her husband, and took countless trips and vacations with her daughters and their families. At the age of 80, Leona joined a mission to the Dominican Republic, and later visited the Holy Land with her church. When she got older, she enjoyed many holidays around the Caribbean. Her last trip was to Palm Springs in 2018.
Leona lived independently in her own house until she was 95 years old. When she moved to Amica Little Lake, it created shock waves among the stray and neighbourhood cat community who had been turning up at her house for years where they could always count on a friendly meal. She supported several animal rescue and wildlife charities, her mailbox overflowing with calendars, newsletters, and her home filled with mementos of her spirit animal – the wolf. Leona’s new lifestyle at Amica was a chance to make even more friends and she enjoyed outings and trips with the other residents, while continuing to meet old friends for lunch, cards and get-togethers. Her 100th birthday celebration in 2021 was a lot quieter than no. 99, due to the pandemic, but a drive by convoy of church friends, greetings from the Queen and the Trudeau’s again, made it memorable all the same.
But when the sun came up bold and gold (yellow – her favourite colour) on October 11, Leona had already left on her final journey to meet her Lord. It was the most glorious of autumn days, the spectacular fall foliage lit with bright sunshine and a clear blue sky. How Leona would have loved it. Like she loved her other favourite things: peanut brittle, black licorice, pelicans, hot dogs, Kevin Costner, Judge Judy, yellow roses, spaghetti, hardware stores, Sunday drives, country music and reminiscing about the old days.
Leona was preceded in death by her parents, brothers George, Dave, Bill and infant Leslie, husband Elmer and grandson Jay Cook. Left behind to miss her are daughters Phyllis (Rae) Cook and Deb (Rob) Exel, grandson Marc (Joan) Reynolds, granddaughters Krista Reynolds (Dave Walton), Jennifer Reynolds-Cook, Casey Cuff (Cory Bannister), great-grandchildren Taylor, Jordon, Nathaniel, Paige and Kurtis, and her devoted kitty Maggie who never left her side these last several months.
Leona will be reunited with her parents, husband and brothers in the family plot at Barrie Union Cemetery. A celebration of her long, long life is planned for:
Friday October 28, 2022
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. (a short time of reflection and sharing at 3:00 p.m.)
Bethel Community Church Hall
128 St. Vincent Street, Barrie, On L4M 3Y8
Leona had written a little note, left in a tiny prayer box: “Give me the strength Lord to complete my life with grace and dignity. May I be a blessing to my family.”
She did and she is.
Thanks to the folks at Amica Little Lake, especially the nursing, PSW and reception staff for their genuine care and thoughtfulness, Pastor Stephan and the congregation at Bethel Community Church, Dr. Rick Irvin, and her many, many cherished friends who faithfully stayed in touch.
Online memories and condolences may be made at www.peacefultransition.ca