Born on May 14, 1961 Velma Katherine Weir-King passed away peacefully at the Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH) surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, December 21st, 2020.
She is survived by her best friend and loving husband Calvin, the lights of her life, her daughter Kaitlyn (Kane) and her son Colin (Kaylin), her loving and supportive sisters Grace Illsley (Glen) of Brookfield N.S. and Helen Spinney (Alan) of Moncton N.B. and her nieces whom she greatly adored Lisa and Susan who both live with their families in Hong Kong.
Throughout her life Velma developed many strong friendships that survived distance and time. Her love and support will be missed by her dear friends Bob and Matt of Ancaster Ont., Joan Simpson of Sydney N.S. as well as her longtime close friends Marlene Gavel of Sydney River N.S., Pippa Wilcock of Sault St Marie and her true bestie Mary Lou McKenzie of Edmonton AB and of course her constant companion Piper.
Also to be recognized for providing joy in her life are all her “children” from another mother Leanne, Justin, Erica, Wes, Ryan, Lynn and Sherry.
She was predeceased by her mother Lil (Lillian) Phillips Weir and her father Johnny (John) Weir.
Born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Velma grew up in Coxheath but her favorite place to be was on the Mira River where she enjoyed swimming, skiing, fishing and spending time with friends.
Working for Air Bras d’or Velma transferred to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in 1986 with a plan to stay for 6 months. She stayed on and met Cal in 1988. They married in 1990 and were blessed with Kaitlyn and Colin, the two real joys in her life. Since then she has called Sault Ste. Marie home and Clear Lake became her Mira River.
Beginning her cancer journey in October of 2017 Velma learned of her terminal status in October of 2019. Cal was her faithful companion and by her side always. He was caregiver throughout it all till her final months. He was her angel and the love of her life.
Special thank you to Alisha from Para Med for her kindness and care. Special thank you to the staff at ARCH for making her feel so comforted, pampered and supported during the final leg of her heroic journey. She loved the joke “oh lord it’s hard to be humble” shared to her by a very special nurse.
Special thank you to Dr. Fritz for his unwavering care and Dr. Buehner for her kindness and attention.
Velma never feared death. She embraced each part of her cancer journey and the challenges she faced with the grace and gusto she lived life with. While she was always one to put on a brave face for others throughout her life, she truly did find things to celebrate and continued to spread joy and laughter with her uplifting spirit and warped sense of humour to the very end.
Velma did not wish to have a funeral service, instead a celebration of life will be planned for the summer at Clear Lake.
For anyone wishing to make a memorial donation in Velma’s name, ARCH would be her first choice.
All those who knew her were blessed to have Velma in their lives and will miss her dearly. When you think of her remember her sage advice “live life like it is your last day on earth” and “love strong, love well and say I love you to those who deserve it every day”. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. E. - 705-759-2522). Please visit Arthur Funeral Home website obituaries to leave memories and condolences as a keepsake for the family.
This message was reviewed and approved by Velma Weir King.
Heaven just gained an angel with golden wings.