Death Notices

FRASER, Mary “Elaine” (nee Patterson) – With heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Elaine Fraser at the Cedarwood Village Nursing Home, Simcoe on Wednesday, May 28th, 2025 in her 90th year.  Beloved wife of the late Gale Fraser (1997) and special friend to the late John Varey (2020).  Loving mother of Lisa Snowdon (Rick) of Port Dover, Lydia Fraser (Tom Arcuri) of Germantown, Maryland and her late infant son, Steven Fraser (1956).  Cherished grandmother & great grandmother to Victoria Snowdon, her son Jaxson Campbell, and to Toby Arcuri.  Predeceased by her parents, the late Lloyd (1972) Patterson and Thelma (1989) Patterson (nee McCrackin).  Although Alzheimer’s stole her memories and altered her temperament, she never lost the essence that was uniquely “Elaine”.  To the very end she remained a force to be reckoned with – brandishing a spicy assertiveness, relishing a funny joke, and welcoming some good-natured teasing.  As a bright, athletic young woman growing up an only child on the family dairy farm in Wallace township (Perth County), she vowed to live her adult life away from the demanding toils of farming.  When Gale Fraser, a tall, dark-haired, and handsome railway apprentice walked into The Diana Sweets in February 1955, she was smitten.  Gale learning to dance, just because Elaine loved to, seemed to seal the deal.  On January 7, 1956 Elaine and Gale began their bold, venturesome life together, taking them first to Stratford, then Hamilton, and Mount Hope, and finally settling in Simcoe.  Never shy with her opinions or afraid to “tell it like it is,” Elaine was as independent as she was fiercely devoted to her family. Proud of her career, Elaine succeeded in an era when it was unual to find women in the workplace.  Graduating high school at sixteen, she was too young to study nursing as she hoped, so she began working as the manager’s secretary at the Listowel branch of the Bank of Commerce.  In time she became an executive secretary at the Canadian National Railroad and proudly supported the Welland Canal construction project.  Later she and Gale became small business owners in Simcoe.  She eventually retired as a Human Resources Specialist for the Regional Municipality of Haldimand-Norfolk, bringing tremendous competence and bountiful compassion to the role.  Perhaps Canada’s most accomplished “snowplow’er”, Elaine always welcomed an adventure whether on the ski slopes of Banff and Mont Tremblant, the pyramids of Egypt, the canals of Venice, or the piazzas of Florence.  She was proud to be a past-president of the Simcoe Lady Lions, a long-time member of the Norfolk Golf and Country Club, and on the board of the Eva Brook Donly Museum.  Lisa and Lydia would like to thank the staff of Cedarwood Village Nursing Home for caring for and appreciating Elaine. We marvel at the grace with which you do your jobs and the dignity you afford those you care for.  We are eternally grateful.  A private family interment of ashes will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Listowel at a later date. The JASON SMITH FUNERAL CHAPEL, 689 Norfolk St. North Simcoe in care of arrangements.  Those wishing to donate in memory of Elaine are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s Society of Haldimand-Norfolk.  Personal online condolences at www.smithfuneralchapel.com (519) 426-0199