Irma Eleanor CRYSLER

Irma Eleanor CRYSLER

CRYSLER, Irma Eleanor July 4, 1926 – September 22, 2018 Loved wife of Ralph (deceased December 2017), mother to Susan, Neil (Joan), Ian (Barb) and Jan (Tom). Grandmother (Nanny) to Allison, Adam, Katherine, Zoe, Ben, Rebecca and Tara. Great-grandmother to Simon, Rowan, Theodore, Elias and Hudson.

Irma Eleanor Thomas was born to JD and Edith (nee Pritchard) (Gran) in Ottawa in 1926. From JD she inherited her love and knowledge of animals and plants. From Gran she inherited her love of and kindness towards all people. Mom was a warm, sociable woman who dearly loved her family and all the many and varied people that she welcomed into our family. During the summer of the war years, Mom worked for the Farm Service Force on farms in southern Ontario. She graduated from U of T (Victoria College) in 1947 with a BA in English Literature. In 1949, on a New Year’s Eve blind date, Mom met Ralph Crysler. They were married on April 1, 1950 and headed up to Churchill, MB for Dad’s job as an engineer. In 1951, they moved to Ottawa where Susan was born, then to London where Neil was born and back to Toronto for the arrival of Jan and Ian – the twin surprise! The Cryslers settled in Toronto for the next many years. Mom was involved in many organizations both as a board member and as an active participant. She worked with the IODE, the YWCA, St. Christopher on the Heights Anglican Church, the University Women’s Club of North York and the Distress Centre over many years. Mom was President of the University Women’s Club of North York. She also had the challenge of being the first Director of the Distress Centre 2 when it opened in North Toronto. In the early 70s Mom started working part-time at the Albert Britnell Bookshop at Yonge and Bloor. The part-time changed to full-time when she became the Manager of the paperback collection.

The Britnell’s position was a dream come true for Mom who thoroughly enjoyed her work, her colleagues and helping people connect with books. Mom was always involved in one book club or another and could be found most evenings with her feet up and a book in hand. Mom would give us presents of books (of course) which often came with a bookmark discreetly tucked in to mark her place. Another common gift from Mom was to receive a sleeve or the back of a partially finished sweater. The full gift always appeared but knitting for four of us was a big task! Mom and Dad moved to Calgary in 1982 after all of the children had moved on, then back to Oakville in 1985 where they settled for 20 plus years. Mom was involved at St. Jude’s Anglican Church and with the gardening committee for the City at the Waterfront Park. Mom and Dad travelled the world together, often accompanied by Nancy, Dad’s sister. They explored the South Pacific, Australia, South East Asia, China, Scotland, England and the Mediterranean. They enjoyed hiking, meeting new people and learning about different cultures. When not travelling and wherever they lived, Mom was always exercising her green thumb.

The only creature Mom had no time for were the slugs that ate her plants. Mom was always ready for any of her children, or our friends, with questions and, the greatest gift, time to listen to our adventures and woes. Calm, caring and completely engaged, she was always open and interested in what was going on in the world. Mom suffered the relentless and cruel effects of dementia in the past five years.

We are deeply grateful to the caregivers Mom has had over the years and particularly the care and kindness she has received the past three years at Chester Village, Amethyst Wing. Cremation has taken place.

There will be a service and scattering of the ashes in the Memorial Garden at St. Jude’s Church, Oakville, on Friday, October 12 at 1 p.m.

Donations may be made in memory of Irma to Chester Village Long Term Care, www.chestervillage.ca