Obituary of Lillian Mae Draves

DRAVES; Lillian Mae, (nee Roberts) Predeceased by husband Fred Draves and 5 brothers and 1 sister. Survived by children Dennis (Margaret), Richard (Betty), Brian (Lynda), Diane (Kip) Ryan, Janet (Corky) Bucci, Joyce (Darrell) Hume, 16 grandchildren and their spouses 32 great grandchildren, and 6 great great grandchildren. Born in Matheson, Ontario, on January 17, 1916, and passed away at Cassellholme, in North Bay, on November 12, 2014. A very loving Mother who was always there to help in everyway. Lillian was an extremely talented seamstress, always sewing and knitting for family and friends. Always loved, and will be missed by all. Forever in our thoughts and prayers. Your children Viewing at Martyn Funeral Home today (Friday) from 2-4 & 7-9:00 PM. A Funeral Services will be held at the Redeemer Lutheran Church (2nd Avenue East at Ferguson), on Saturday November 15th, at 11:00 am. Spring Interment at Terrace Lawn Cemetery. Donations to a charity of choice would be appreciated. Lillian was a happy and loving wife, mother and grandmother who loved reading, walking, gardening and playing bridge. As well, she was a wonderfully gifted seamstress, had a marvellous sense of humour, and baked a prize-winning apple pie. She especially enjoyed time spent with her family and her friends and she always found the company of little children delightful. Each of us will remember our mother having us all over for family dinners and July 1st barbeques. Mom was willing and able to help us paint our houses, dig up a garden, upholster a chair or chesterfield, create a wedding dress or refinish a piece of furniture; she was happy to pitch in with her many talents and boundless energy to help her children in any way that she could. Mom was always ready to welcome her grandchildren into her home with a pan of warm gingerbread cookies, a walk around her beautiful gardens and possibly even a game of hide and seek or an adventurous hike to Chippewa Creek. She remained an avid walker for her entire life and loved to be outside enjoying nature. The North Bay Waterfront was one of her favourite places to go for a walk and she was able to enjoy walking there even in her ninety-seventh year. She really was a remarkable woman who maintained a lifelong positive attitude. Her presence in our lives will be deeply missed but always remembered with great fondness. Lillian is survived by her six children Dennis (Marg), Dick (Betty), Diane Ryan (Kip), Brian (Lynda), Janet Bucci (Corky) and Joyce Hume (Darrell). As well she is survived by sixteen grandchildren, thirty-seven great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Lillian was predeceased by her sweetheart and husband Fred in 1991. She had one sister and best friend Marian, who predeceased her in 2006. She also had five brothers James, Donald, Billy, Tommy, and Eddie who all predeceased her. Lillian was born and raised in Matheson, Ontario where she and Fred were married and had their six children. They moved to North Bay in 1957. Lillian worked at Lill's Remnant Shop on Cassells Street and later was manager of Gaudet's Fabric Store downtown. She moved to Empire Living in 2007 and was always impressed by the care and kindness shown to her there by the staff. In April of 2014 she made the move to Cassellholme where she was able to benefit from the loving care shown to her by the staff there. During her stay she especially enjoyed the Oval Garden and the little chipmunks that would visit her there. Hers was a life well-lived.