There is a saying “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” That was mom, she “lived” life. Mom has left friends and family with their own special memories and some stories that would leave your stomach sore from laughing. Mom was born, Dolores May Clark in Grimsby, Ontario, but life would have her settle in Thunder Bay where she would marry Norman Wick and together raise their five children. Norman passed away in August 1979. In 1984, mom would find love again with Emil Charban, spending 33 years together traveling the world. Sadly, mom lost Emil in 2017.
Wherever mom was, company was always welcomed by the smell of fresh baking with the coffee on and teapot ready. Besides people and travel, mom loved gardening, golfing, dancing, baking and a gin and tonic at happy hour. Mom’s life was filled with stories and adventures from a little girl whose family lived in a lighthouse on Hawkins Island to span 93 years to this moment where I sit in thankfulness and gratitude that the Lord allowed my siblings and I to call her “Mom.” She struggled over the last 10 years with Alzheimer’s, but the last week, stories rose from the dust and came alive again. Memories flowed and new ones were made by mom’s bedside. Our family is knit together by mom’s love. It was no shock in those last hours mom’s heart kept her going, as that’s where she lived her life from. On April 17th, with family gathered around her, she slipped away into the arms of Jesus to start her eternal adventure. Her legacy will live on through her children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and great grandchildren by continuing to share her life through our love and kindness.
As my brother Brian shared ~ Thinking back on mom’s life, I’m reminded of some words from “Fried Green Tomatoes” more than anything, mom was a lady, and a lady always knows when it’s time to leave.
Dolores was predeceased by her parents, Angus & Viola Clark (nee Smith), sisters, Rebecca Cava (nee Clark), and Gloria Clark, husbands Norman Wick (d. 1979) & Emil Charban (d. 2017), son-in-law, Mike Reid & stepson Lawrence Charban. Dolores is survived by her sister, Annette Wagner & brother, Arden Clark, children, Linda Earl (Richard), Les, Brian (Marie), Karen Joel-Reid, Angela Depelteau (Hector), & daughter-in-law, Denise Wick, stepdaughters, Marna-Rose Minett (Wayne), Melissa Connors (Rick), and Maureen Charban, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces & nephews.
We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff and nurses at Southbridge Roseview for your care and compassion and to Pastor Matthew Daigle for his bedside prayer and send off.
Mom, I hope you know up there how much you’re loved down here.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
