A resident of the Glen–Stor-Dun Lodge in Cornwall, for the past eight years, Erma Casselman passed away there on Sunday, June 9, 2013. She was 84.
Erma was born in Mariatown, on February 3, 1929, to her parents Clifford and Eunice Sypes (nee Kinnear). She was one of nine children. She attended Mariatown Public School and graduated from Morrisburg Collegiate where she was active in sports.
During her high school years, Erma worked at Tom Frasers making floral arrangements and at the family farm. In later years, she would often comment how she hated strawberries because she had picked so many pints as a youngster.
Erma caught the eye of her future husband, Arthur Casselman while walking to school. At that time Art was driving taxi for his father Bruce, and he would offer free rides to Erma and her sisters.
Erma married Art on October 4, 1952, and together they were blessed with three children, Jim in October of 1953, Susan in June of 1957, and Bob in January of 1960.
During their early years, Art and Erma loved to spend time at the Casselman Dance Hall on Glen Becker road. Erma loved to dance and host parties at their home on Augusta Street.
Many happy times were also spent at Lyle and Irene Black’s cottage at Hay Bay. In 1973, the family moved for the last time to 32 Augusta Street where Gary and Susan O’Neil currently reside. Erma and Art enjoyed their new home and continued entertaining and enjoying new neighbours.
Erma loved Christmas, the decorating, the baking, but most of all the shopping. She had an excellent memory, and if any member of her family mentioned that they needed or liked something throughout the year that item would always be under the tree at Christmas.
Erma also loved to bake but one didn’t dare ask her for a recipe because she didn’t measure any ingredients. She also loved to gamble – whether it was bingo, cards, rummoli, horse racing or at the casino. And she was lucky.
Erma treasured her family, and she instilled in her children the importance of a strong work ethic, the use of common sense, and the value of a good education. She ensured that they had a solid grounding of life’s ups and downs before each of them left the family nest.
In addition to being a wife and mother, Erma worked for many years at the Bank of Montreal, the St. Lawrence Parks Commission and at Casselman Bus Lines.
Erma will be fondly remembered for her flair for fashion and decorating and her unselfish devotion to Art, her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.
Erma is survived by her children Jim (Wendy) of Williamsburg, Susan (Garry) O’Neill of Morrisburg and Bob (Cindy) of Brockville; by her siblings Denzil (Nora) Sypes of St. Catharines, Gordon Sypes of Pembroke, Irene Black of Morrisburg and Donnie (Tina) Sypes of Morrisburg; and by her sister-in-law Lillian Sypes of Thorold.
She was the proud grandmother of John Casselman (Amy), Thomas Casselman (Marla Beauchamp), Catherine Chafe (Bill), Kimberley Casselman (Derrick), Greg O’Neill (Krysta), Nathan Casselman, Matthew Casselman and great-grandma of Olivia, Charlie, Sam, Kane, Ellery, Joshua and Robert.
She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Erma was predeceased by her husband Art, in 2002, her sisters Iva St. Pierre and Lillian Ross and by her brothers Doug and Ersel Sypes.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home in Williamsburg, on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service was held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Morrisburg, on Thursday, June 13th at 2 p.m., with Rev. Norine Gullons officiating.
Interment followed at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, in Morrisburg.
Pallbearers were Kimberley Casselman, John Casselman, Derrick Casselman, Nathan Casselman, Matthew Casselman, Catherine Chafe and Bill Chafe.
Donations to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com
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