Freda (Ingham) Lecoarer

Lecoarer, Freda (nee Ingham)
Jan. 6, 1939 - September 8, 2022

After a difficult struggle with lymphoma, Mom is finally at peace.  Ever the stubborn, no-nonsense Brit, she declared her life over and died soon thereafter, at home in the presence of her children.  It is a gift that she is finally free from suffering.

Mom was predeceased by our Dad, Yves, in 2021 and her granddaughter Kathryn Rose Harvey in 2006.  She is survived by her children Jannick Harvey (Stephen), Paul Lecoarer (Debbie), and Audrey Takasaki (Bruce), by her grandchildren Shelagh Reynolds (Mike), Cameron Takasaki, and Matthew Takasaki, and by her great grandchildren Liam Reynolds, Charlee Gorham, and Poppy Reynolds.

It is particularly fitting that Mom left this world the same day as her Queen.  They shared a love of family, perseverance in the face of adversity, and a commitment of duty to others above self.  She reconciled any of life’s disappointments with the certainty of her good fortune compared to many.  As a young wife and mother, she left her beloved country and family and immersed herself in the adventure of the Northern Ontario mining town of Elliot Lake.   Long before “Glamping” became a trend, Mom provided all home luxuries during our many family tenting trips.  Her kitchen was always rich with the smells of 100% comfort food and a well stocked candy drawer.   Her sewing talents, design eye, and work ethic kept us and our home organized, warm, and cozy.  Such was her commitment to others that most would be surprised to know she really didn’t like the great out of doors, lakes, or cooking.  Some of our best memories of Mom include watching her find enjoyment in quilting, sewing for friends and family, the quest for the best mint smoothie chocolates, losing an entire day playing Game Boy - winning at Tetris but forgetting to make dinner, recounting stories of crazy times with Dad while laughing so hard she couldn’t talk, shopping trips to Costco , doing all bookkeeping calculations in her head with speed and accuracy, the mental calendar she followed until her last day, hand held Yahtzee games, Sudoku, the BBC, Jeopardy, card games, ballroom dancing peppered with a few wild chicken and line dances,  excelling at charades, climbing the shelves in grocery stores to reach items higher than her 4’11”, offering at least three types of pie, butter tarts, and several types of enormous squares at the end of every huge family meal, getting lost in Sears and needing a security manhunt, being the matriarch of the great  “while you were out” quarterly complete household furniture reorganization, baffling others with her many British and Geordie expressions, the eclectic contents of her purse, her quick wit, softspoken voice, patience, and quiet dignity. 

On Mom’s behalf we thank the many dedicated medical professionals who helped her navigate her last days, including Dr. Debortoli, St. Joseph’s Hospital 3rd floor nurses, Helen Schreyer of the Home and Community Care NE, Bayshore Nurse Liz Armstrong, and PSW Tammy.  These and many other people work tirelessly to keep our ailing health care system functioning.  We need more of them!

Friends and family will be invited to an open house later this fall to share stories and celebrate our parents’ lives.  Memorial donations to St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Elliot Lake or The Canadian Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.