November 17,1925 – March 23, 2021
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our mother Edna in her 96th year at the General Hospital in Hamilton. One day she was full of life socializing and getting her hair done, and the next she was struck down by a massive stroke.
Edna is predeceased by her husband John, sister Genevieve, and parents John and Katie Petrisor. She is survived by her daughters Marlene (Peter Link), Jane (Stephen Zener) and Betsy, and adoring heartbroken granddaughters Beth (Justin) Kaitlyn, Rachael (Todd) and Emma. Edna is survived by her siblings Florence Brendon, Dr. Allan Petrisor (Mary), Wayne Peterson ( Georgina), Thomas Peterson (Linda) and many loved nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind special friends Mable, Doreen, Roy, Helmut and Renee, and many friends of the Forest Glen community.
Edna was born in Saskatchewan, as was our father. Both their families moved to Hamilton, then to the farming community of Beverly twp. where they met and fell in love.
Our mother loved music and she was deeply committed to her faith. She trained as a singer at Centenary Church and spent many years as a soloist for church services, weddings, conferences and community events. Along with being a devoted mother, she loved her community, with a lifetime commitment to collecting for the Cancer Society, an active member and president of the Westover Women’s Institute, Westover Baptist Church and volunteering with the Rockton Fair. When her husband John retired early to take up farming full time in 1974, Edna was asked to use her talent as a cook and baker to cater an event. That turned into a new career as a caterer for the next 20 years for the Copetown Lions meetings and many other local community events and weddings. Both she and our dad loved it! They took it as an opportunity to do a benefit for SHARE Agricultural Foundation, which continued on another 15 + years. Our parents enjoyed a joyous retirement travelling everywhere – Europe, Central America, Israel, Hawaii, Mexico and more. In 2003 they sold the farm and took up the freedom of condo living in west Hamilton, where Mom loved to swim, join in coffee hour, play scrabble and socialize with neighbors.
She danced to her own tune, while we tried to keep up. A life well lived!
A Private Funeral Service will be held at the Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main St. Dundas on Monday March 29, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. As numbers are limited due to covid the service will be livestreamed and available ongoing.
Memorial donations may be made to SHARE Agricultural Foundation, Westover Women’s Institute or the Westover Baptist Church.
Livestream link: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=a4de4c7c-f5b7-44fc-a370-b0db49de0646
I met Edna, for the 1st time when I was 11 and she was 22. She came to the states to visit us in 1948. I was amazed that this tanned beauty was actually my cousin(Her dad and mine were brothers.) Our next contact was in 2011 when I received an email from her asking if I was related to Greg Petrisor (my dad). That began a series of emails spanning the last decade. We were finally able to meet again when she came to Seattle for a family wedding. She was a real blessing to us as she related in detail her family’s history during those intervening years. Her love, warmth and friendship demonstrated what a genuine family treasure she was to all who knew and loved her. Edna you will be sorely missed but never, ever forgotten.
Our love always,
John and Veronica Petrisor
RIP Auntie Nuna gonna miss those famous cream puffs and your visits out west. Glad you always came to see us and remained down to earth and true to your faith.
Bless your journey to the spirit world.
Namaste
We are so sorry to hear of Edna’s passing, she was such a lovely person. Fond memories of Edna at Copetown church from her teaching choir lessons,and singing in the choir.
It was a pleasure knowing edna again in later years . I know all of us who knew Edna will remember her with a smile.
Our thoughts are with you all. RIP,Edna.
Gail Myers and family
Our sincere condolences to the entire family!
Edna was a sweet and lovely neighbour to my parents; and recently to myself and family. We loved her and adored her. She was a great friend to my mother Grace as well. Edna will be greatly missed. Wishing you all God’s nearness and comfort during this very difficult time. Sincerely, Kathy Hamstra-Pennings & family.
Dear Sister
These days are saddened by you leaving us. The good times we had at your home having birthday parties or a festive party these things are never forgotten.
Rest in Peace Sister
Wayne & Georgina Peterson
Port Alberni, BC
When I moved permanently to southern ontario after graduating for UW in 1987 cousin Edna, John, and the other “Hamilton” relatives made me feel at home. Everyone’s kindness and hospitality made a world of difference to me. Thank you Edna for making a difference in my life. You will be missed.
My deepest sympathy on the loss of Edna. It was such a pleasure for myself and all the Billiald and extended families to have known her during the past 6 years. She was a special, caring friend for my Dad, Roy. They shared many bus trips, concerts and church/restaurant suppers together. No matter where we were, she always knew someone and shared vibrant conversations with them. She was my backseat navigator to and from a family wedding in Pembrooke, August 2019, poring over the roadmap and announcing the next little town!
Fondly remembered by all.
I am saddened by the loss of my Auntie Edna, a true salt of the earth pioneer woman.
When I think of all the family festivals you hosted with your unique talents of combining delicious food, cheer, and camaraderie it makes me smile with happiness. Rest in peace Auntie, knowing that you engraved many fond memories for me. I know someday we will meet again on the other side. Until then you will always have a special place in my heart. Your niece Arizona Rose aka Kelly Kiley
Edna was a valued member of the Ancaster Thesaurus Club for at least six years. She was a lovely lady and will be missed. Her baking contributions to our meetings were always eagerly awaited. RIP Edna. You will be missed by everyone that knew you.
Edna was much respected and loved in Westover and by the members of the Westover Women’s Institute. She was always up for helping and donating her time and delicious food. We will miss her and her smile.
I have always admired Edna for her spunk and love of life. I worked with her first through the Westover Institute and then through Share.You will be missed.
John & Edna were friends with my Dad, Arthur Haley for years. Myself knew her and John too. She was a very special lady to everyone who knew her.
Rest in Peace with John
We had the pleasure of knowing Edna since 2003. Mom (Mabel) moved into Forest Glen in 2001 and Edna in 2003..living down 1 floor from mom. They realized that they knew each other from living at the Hamilton YWCA years ago. Edna was a great friend with mom, like sisters and was always up for fun and adventure. I am deeply saddened and you will be sorely missed.
Sincerely, and into the higher world
Cathy Ward
It is with great sadness that we heard of the news of Auntie Edna’s passing. She was an extraordinary woman and the tales of her life were remarkable. Edna touched our lives personally with her kind Christian spirit and we will keep the memory of those times shared together close to our hearts. Our sympathy and thoughts are with you.
The Harris girls met “Aunty” Edna and John in the late 1970s (if my memory serves me correctly). John intrigued us from a field away by feeding the baby cows by bottle. The rest is history. Edna taught us girls everything from baking/cooking to serving/catering to singing for church services to piano and everything in between. We loved spending time with Edna, John and Bubba as much as they enjoyed us. I was honoured to host Edna and John in New Westminster (pic) and visit with Edna on her many trips West. Incredible woman and lovely family and we were so blessed to live on the farm next door. Love You Edna. My condolences to all your family and friends xoxo
RIP Auntie Nuna! I am hearing you sing “Amazing Grace” as I type. I’ll always remember your constant smile and joyful presence buzzing around a kitchen. You always took time to ask how I was at every single party and I knew I was always welcome at your home. You’ve left a remarkable legacy and wonderful daughters and granddaughters keeping your spirit alive.
I am sure you’ve been greeted with open and loving arms into wherever it is you believe is after this and I feel grateful to be thinking of you at peace.
I have known the Yovanov family quite a number of years and have been thrilled to be apart of it. From p.j. Partiesvwith Jane and Betsy to young peoples to cooking and catering with Edna and her family and Rockton Fair. Edna was a talented artist and we have a couple of her paintings. Edna always attended the Lynden musicals where I sang and she was always thrilled to see me. I too had my own catering business and worked in the food industry for over 30 years, Edna shared her wisdom and some cooking secrets with me, especially her cabbage rolls. Edna was an inspiration, a mentor and fun to be around. She was a good friend and gave me advice many times. With Edna there was no generation gap she was young at heart. I just saw her 2 weeks ago and was surprised and very saddened at her passing. She had a super full life and never wasted a minute of it. I am so disappointed not to be able to celebrate her life with family and friends this DARN Covid.
I worked with Edna and John at many a Share banquets and was glad to sit down after and join them in a glass of wine. Edna was a true example of work hard play hard.
She will be sorely missed by our family. We loved you. My condolences to you Marlene, Jane and Betsy.
My sincere condolences on the loss of this wonderful lady.
Godspeed good sister. Your sunny, happy, positive, can do personality will always be remembered.
Rest in peace.
Edna was out neighbour for 10 years at Forest Glen. She was the perfect neighbour and a woman with tremendous spirit! She was always leaving us home cooked meals and was just a thrill to talk to whenever we got a chance. When we moved out, Carmen and I were only saddened by one thing and that was not being next to Edna anymore. Her spirit will continue to inspire us for the rest of our lives and she will never be forgotten!
Carmen and I wish to extend our deepest condolences to the entire family!
Rest in peace Edna, and until we meet again!
We wish to pass along our deepest sympathies for your loss. Edna was my father’s cousin. When my parents were in Canada visiting from Romania, Edna was kind enough to travel out to see us is Red Deer, Alberta. It was very good to have family together from all over the world sharing stories and family history. My family will always cherish that window of time we had together.