Cindy and Frank Laciak (Nephew)

Entered January 3, 2021 from Orillia

A great great lady, always there for everyone who needed help or just to listen. Growing up Frank has many stories and memories of his much loved Aunt. "Cookie" will be forever remembered in our hearts, and our sincere condolences to Clifford and Vicki

Larry Laciak (Nephew)

Entered January 3, 2021 from Lisle Ontario

So sad to hear about my dear Aunt. Such a kind and living spirit. May she Rest In Peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Ryan Marchildon (Grandson)

Entered January 3, 2021 from Mississauga

There was always something magical about my grandmother. As young children, a day with Granny meant excitement and adventure. She electrified the air around us. There are so many precious memories. Building sandcastles together. Coming in to watch a thunderstorm over the lake. Fun trips to Woodbine Fantasy Fair. Those little duets on the piano.

Later, when she moved North to Orillia, visits to her home were rejuvenating retreats away from the busy city. A relaxing atmosphere and good company. You knew you would be pampered. If you were in a chair reading, she had a habit of tucking a blanket around your legs to keep you cozy. A couple of times she gave my sister and I the full spa treatment, complete with her “Witch’s Brew” of skincare products. Apparently it worked because Granny never had a wrinkle on her!

I had many great conversations with Granny in the quiet warmth of the sunroom, with the gentle sound of waves to keep us company. You could talk to her about anything. She always listened attentively, which is rare, especially when I’d drone on about physics or some topic that would put most to sleep! But she listened, asked questions, and always had something enlightened to say.

As I grew older, I came to deeply appreciate the wealth of knowledge and wisdom my grandmother possessed. She had a great zest and positive attitude towards life that I can only hope to emulate. No matter the circumstance, she always held her head high.

And what spunk! I often felt she had more energy than I did. There is a funny phrase found in her home that I think suits her well: “The Man who says it can’t be done should not interrupt the Woman doing it.” Her humour always had me in stitches. I wish I kept a book of all the witty things Granny said over the years. After a particularly shocking but uproarious remark, she’d look at me with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, and with a wave of her finger declare “I bet you didn’t know grannies could say something like that!”

It was truly fortunate to have her nearby these past few years. I enjoyed taking her to events such as Cirque du Soleil, and we had quite a few intense games of cribbage (she is the undisputed champion by the way). At my parent’s place, we often sat outside on the deck to read and relax. More recently we had something of a book club where I’d pass novels onto her.

I was very proud of my grandmother and wished I could share her with the world. We went out for a walk this last Christmas Day. It was sunny and the trees were covered in a beautiful white coat of snow. She was wearing her blue shawl around her head, and as we turned a corner, a beam of light illuminated her face and her bright blue eyes. She looked at me and smiled.

Life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. Granny, you gave us so many perfect moments. You were so much fun to be around. You made our lives brighter. We are stronger, kinder people because of you. You taught us how to live and how to love. We miss having you with us, and we will carry you forward always in our hearts.

With love eternal, your grandson.

Clifford Tomas (Son)

Entered January 3, 2021 from Oakville

As the 70’s rolled into the 80’s, I thought our family needed a place to go to escape from our current surroundings. I suggested to Mom that we purchase cottage on Lake Simcoe.

I knew the right spot to have a cottage because my Aunt Margaret and Uncle Mike frequently invited us to their houseboat at Big Bay Point. Most weekends, they would dock in front of a large mansion on Sandy Cove.

Sandy Cove was essentially a continuous beach that stretched for several miles in somewhat protected waters and you could walk out several hundred feet from the beach.

Mom and I typically never agreed on anything immediately, but after a few “Aw, Clifford, what do you want a cottage for?” … we had the newspapers out and circled a few cottages to view.

It wasn’t until the fourth cottage, that we opened the door to what would become “Cookie’s Cozy Cottage”.

Two weekends later, to the great surprise of my sister, we inducted her into the “Cottage Life”.

Over the years, the cottage became a great place of joy and relaxation for my Mom. Vicki had parties at the cottage, I took up sailing and often had my cousin Ray over most weekends. What Mom loved more than anything was to invite everyone she had ever known to the cottage. If you were a relative – you were always welcomed. And on that one day we needed to the replace roof, if you brought along a hammer – unlimited beer! A big thank you to cousin Frankie for helping us out.

When I thought “we” needed a sailboat – a fast one – Mom’s first reaction was “Aw, Clifford, what do you want a sailboat for?”… newspapers opened and we were off to the Niagara River Parkway…only three hours away! The very same day we bought the boat and trailered it home. The next day, Mom who was 5’2” and I drove that 20 ft catamaran on a tilt trailer. Along the way Mom made several stops for gas, food and of course a DQ sundae! Mom thought we never needed that boat, but she still came to rescue us when Ray and I crashed the boat at Jackson’s Point.

My Mom had more than her share of challenges thrown at her in life, both good and bad. What I will remember most was how much the cottage made her happy with the endless stream of relatives and friends who came to visit.

Nothing seemed to stop her or slow her down, the more the merrier. You could call on a Friday afternoon and get the all clear to come up on the weekend.

Even though we don’t have the cottage anymore, the memories I have of my Mom at the cottage will always burn bright in my heart.

I will miss my mighty Mom, every remaining day of my life.

With love, your son, Clifford.

Victoria Tomas (Daughter)

Entered January 3, 2021 from Mississauga

I was lucky to have mom in my life for 56 years and I am grateful for every one of them. The bond between mother and daughter is so special and becomes stronger as we age. Right from the start, our mothers seem to instill love in us, laughter, strength, compassion and the importance of family.

My mother was a pillar of strength. When I was eight months old, my father Clifford Tomas was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away when I was 12.

I remember going to the hospital many times to visit my dad, yet my mom never said a thing. She allowed us to have a normal childhood by shielding us from her pain. The support of family and friends helped us feel loved and secure.

I was very happy when Larry Rampone became a part of mom’s life. He was such a caring, loving and generous individual. I never had to worry because he was so devoted to her. And lucky for mom, he was a fantastic cook.

A lot of good times were spent at Cookies Cozy Cottage on Sandy Cove Beach. Friends and family were always welcomed and came up often, over the 17 years we had the cottage. Mom and Larry enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren playing in the water and building sandcastles. They loved to relax on the screened in porch. We enjoyed the sounds of the early morning waves, beautiful sunsets and some spectacular thunderstorms.

Orillia was a special place for mom and Larry; where they felt truly at home. Some of their favourite activities included long walks on the boardwalk to Couchiching Park, Tudhope Park and the Gordon Lightfoot Monument. In town, mom and Larry had their favourite shops. You best believe while Larry was grocery shopping, mom was doing some shopping of her own. She loved the latest fashions at CC’s, picking up Tuscany Bread at Mariposa Market and doing her part to support local businesses with frequent stops into other stores along Mississauga Street.

Mom’s favourite place for entertainment was Casino Rama. You could see the excitement in her face as she walked down the isles and picked that one special slot machine to play. Mom and Larry both enjoyed the shows and the buffet.

I was very fortunate to spend a lot of time with my mom over the last couple of years, as she moved back to Mississauga. It was nice to have her over for dinner frequently and go on nice walks through the forested paths near her condo. We spoke daily and she often gave me great advice.

Mom enjoyed reading, knitting, watching sports (curling and baseball were her favourite), long talks with her sisters, and spending time with family and friends.

After my mother passed, we found a recently written note she had left on her kitchen table. The note, which I have copied below, is only one example of my mother’s kindness, strength and love.

“To my daughter,
Whenever you feel overwhelmed, remember whose daughter you are and straighten your crown. Always remember, you are BRAVER then you think, stronger then you seem and LOVED more than you know. Wrap yourself up in this and consider it a big hug.
Love, your mom.”

Mom has taught me to never miss the opportunity to tell someone you love them, as it means more than you know.

Mom, you will always be in my heart.

Love your daughter, Victoria.

There was always something magical about my grandmother. As young children, a day with Granny meant excitement and adventure. She electrified the air around us. There are so many precious memories. Building sandcastles together. Coming in to watch a thunderstorm over the lake. Fun trips to Woodbine Fantasy Fair. Those little duets on the piano.

Later, when she moved North to Orillia, visits to her home were rejuvenating retreats away from the busy city. A relaxing atmosphere and good company. You knew you would be pampered. If you were in a chair reading, she had a habit of tucking a blanket around your legs to keep you cozy. A couple of times she gave my sister and I the full spa treatment, complete with her “Witch’s Brew” of skincare products. Apparently it worked because Granny never had a wrinkle on her!

I had many great conversations with Granny in the quiet warmth of the sunroom, with the gentle sound of waves to keep us company. You could talk to her about anything. She always listened attentively, which is rare, especially when I’d drone on about physics or some topic that would put most to sleep! But she listened, asked questions, and always had something enlightened to say.

As I grew older, I came to deeply appreciate the wealth of knowledge and wisdom my grandmother possessed. She had a great zest and positive attitude towards life that I can only hope to emulate. No matter the circumstance, she always held her head high.

And what spunk! I often felt she had more energy than I did. There is a funny phrase found in her home that I think suits her well: “The Man who says it can’t be done should not interrupt the Woman doing it.” Her humour always had me in stitches. I wish I kept a book of all the witty things Granny said over the years. After a particularly shocking but uproarious remark, she’d look at me with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, and with a wave of her finger declare “I bet you didn’t know grannies could say something like that!”

It was truly fortunate to have her nearby these past few years. I enjoyed taking her to events such as Cirque du Soleil, and we had quite a few intense games of cribbage (she is the undisputed champion by the way). At my parent’s place, we often sat outside on the deck to read and relax. More recently we had something of a book club where I’d pass novels onto her.

I was very proud of my grandmother and wished I could share her with the world. We went out for a walk this last Christmas Day. It was sunny and the trees were covered in a beautiful white coat of snow. She was wearing her blue shawl around her head, and as we turned a corner, a beam of light illuminated her face and her bright blue eyes. She looked at me and smiled.

Life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. Granny, you gave us so many perfect moments. You were so much fun to be around. You made our lives brighter. We are stronger, kinder people because of you. You taught us how to live and how to love. We miss having you with us, and we will carry you forward always in our hearts.

With love eternal, your grandson.

As the 70’s rolled into the 80’s, I thought our family needed a place to go to escape from our current surroundings. I suggested to Mom that we purchase cottage on Lake Simcoe.

I knew the right spot to have a cottage because my Aunt Margaret and Uncle Mike frequently invited us to their houseboat at Big Bay Point. Most weekends, they would dock in front of a large mansion on Sandy Cove.

Sandy Cove was essentially a continuous beach that stretched for several miles in somewhat protected waters and you could walk out several hundred feet from the beach.

Mom and I typically never agreed on anything immediately, but after a few “Aw, Clifford, what do you want a cottage for?” … we had the newspapers out and circled a few cottages to view.

It wasn’t until the fourth cottage, that we opened the door to what would become “Cookie’s Cozy Cottage”.

Two weekends later, to the great surprise of my sister, we inducted her into the “Cottage Life”.

Over the years, the cottage became a great place of joy and relaxation for my Mom. Vicki had parties at the cottage, I took up sailing and often had my cousin Ray over most weekends. What Mom loved more than anything was to invite everyone she had ever known to the cottage. If you were a relative – you were always welcomed. And on that one day we needed to the replace roof, if you brought along a hammer – unlimited beer! A big thank you to cousin Frankie for helping us out.

When I thought “we” needed a sailboat – a fast one – Mom’s first reaction was “Aw, Clifford, what do you want a sailboat for?”… newspapers opened and we were off to the Niagara River Parkway…only three hours away! The very same day we bought the boat and trailered it home. The next day, Mom who was 5’2” and I drove that 20 ft catamaran on a tilt trailer. Along the way Mom made several stops for gas, food and of course a DQ sundae! Mom thought we never needed that boat, but she still came to rescue us when Ray and I crashed the boat at Jackson’s Point.

My Mom had more than her share of challenges thrown at her in life, both good and bad. What I will remember most was how much the cottage made her happy with the endless stream of relatives and friends who came to visit.

Nothing seemed to stop her or slow her down, the more the merrier. You could call on a Friday afternoon and get the all clear to come up on the weekend.

Even though we don’t have the cottage anymore, the memories I have of my Mom at the cottage will always burn bright in my heart.

I will miss my mighty Mom, every remaining day of my life.

With love, your son, Clifford.

I was lucky to have mom in my life for 56 years and I am grateful for every one of them. The bond between mother and daughter is so special and becomes stronger as we age. Right from the start, our mothers seem to instill love in us, laughter, strength, compassion and the importance of family.

My mother was a pillar of strength. When I was eight months old, my father Clifford Tomas was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away when I was 12.

I remember going to the hospital many times to visit my dad, yet my mom never said a thing. She allowed us to have a normal childhood by shielding us from her pain. The support of family and friends helped us feel loved and secure.

I was very happy when Larry Rampone became a part of mom’s life. He was such a caring, loving and generous individual. I never had to worry because he was so devoted to her. And lucky for mom, he was a fantastic cook.

A lot of good times were spent at Cookies Cozy Cottage on Sandy Cove Beach. Friends and family were always welcomed and came up often, over the 17 years we had the cottage. Mom and Larry enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren playing in the water and building sandcastles. They loved to relax on the screened in porch. We enjoyed the sounds of the early morning waves, beautiful sunsets and some spectacular thunderstorms.

Orillia was a special place for mom and Larry; where they felt truly at home. Some of their favourite activities included long walks on the boardwalk to Couchiching Park, Tudhope Park and the Gordon Lightfoot Monument. In town, mom and Larry had their favourite shops. You best believe while Larry was grocery shopping, mom was doing some shopping of her own. She loved the latest fashions at CC’s, picking up Tuscany Bread at Mariposa Market and doing her part to support local businesses with frequent stops into other stores along Mississauga Street.

Mom’s favourite place for entertainment was Casino Rama. You could see the excitement in her face as she walked down the isles and picked that one special slot machine to play. Mom and Larry both enjoyed the shows and the buffet.

I was very fortunate to spend a lot of time with my mom over the last couple of years, as she moved back to Mississauga. It was nice to have her over for dinner frequently and go on nice walks through the forested paths near her condo. We spoke daily and she often gave me great advice.

Mom enjoyed reading, knitting, watching sports (curling and baseball were her favourite), long talks with her sisters, and spending time with family and friends.

After my mother passed, we found a recently written note she had left on her kitchen table. The note, which I have copied below, is only one example of my mother’s kindness, strength and love.

“To my daughter,
Whenever you feel overwhelmed, remember whose daughter you are and straighten your crown. Always remember, you are BRAVER then you think, stronger then you seem and LOVED more than you know. Wrap yourself up in this and consider it a big hug.
Love, your mom.”

Mom has taught me to never miss the opportunity to tell someone you love them, as it means more than you know.

Mom, you will always be in my heart.

Love your daughter, Victoria.