A resident of Woodland Villa in Long Sault for the past two years, Maurine Casselman passed away on April 17, 2013. She was 101.
Maurine was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and was the chosen daughter of Jack and Elizabeth Kennedy. She spent her early years in Seattle, Washington, then, after her father died, she and her mother moved to San Francisco.
Her first job was with the Telephone Company, and it was here that she met her husband Ross. They were married on November 25th, 1927, when she was only 16. Their honeymoon was spent on a fruit ranch near San Jose which was owned by Ross’s niece Eva Stevens.
Ross decided to come to Canada after an absence of about 10 years, so they headed to Cleveland and stayed with Ross’s sister Maude. It was there that Viola was born.
Their journey continued on to the Massena area, home of Ross’s brother and eventually they crossed to Canada landing in the Aultsville area.
Their first home was in Prescott where Ross worked helping to build the elevators at Johnstown. It was here that their twin sons were born. Unfortunately, they did not survive. From Prescott Ross and Maurine first moved to a home on Glen Becker Road, where Louise was born, and subsequently to the home farm on the same road where Richard was born.
After the children were grown, Maurine started to work out. After some work painting and wallpapering, she was employed at McNeilly’s Drug Store. She then went to work as a quilter Upper Canada Village where she remained for 15 years.
It was at the Village that Maurine became interested in spinning and weaving. She then took many courses and became an excellent weaver and spinner.
After retirement, Maurine decided to study for her Masters in weaving and completed six semesters in the Fibre Arts O.H.S. Master Weaving program. Her in-depth study was on Ecclesiastical Weaving in the Lutheran Tradition for which she wove paraments for her church, St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Morrisburg.
Maurine received her degree on her 75th birthday at an O.H.S. conference in St. Catherines.
During her 25 years of weaving, teaching and demonstrating, Maurine appeared in five educational films, on various radio and television shows and served for six years as chairman of the O.H.S. Spinning Sample Exchange program of Ontario.
Maurine was for many years an active member of St. Paul’s Church in Morrisburg, both as a Sunday school teacher and in the choir.
She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge, Carman Forward Weavers Guild, Women’s Institute and Seniors Club. She received the Badge of Chivalry from the Rebekah Lodge in Toronto.
After retirement, Maurine travelled extensively and spent many winters in Florida. When her health started to fail she moved to the Hartford Retirement Home where she lived for several years before moving to the Woodland Villa in Long Sault.
It was at the Villa that she celebrated her 100th birthday and was surprised with a gift of having her book “The Brass Kettle” published by her granddaughter and great granddaughter.
Maurine is survived by her children, Viola Droppo, Louise Crites (Joe), Richard (Fanny) Casselman and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Maurine was predeceased by her husband Ross and twin boys.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home in Williamsburg on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service was held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Morrisburg, on Saturday, April 20th at 1 p.m., with Pastor Norine Gullons officiating.
Pallbearers were grandchildren, Robert Casselman, William Casselman, Mark Dunning, Andrew Droppo, Brian Morrow and Terry Morrow.
Honorary Pallbearers were grandchildren, Ruth Lang, Susan Morrow, Linda Compeau, Bonnie Holdsworth, Debbie Mason and Judy Dunning.
Maurine has left behind a large family with 21 sets of five generations all living. She has had a very positive influence on all her family whom she loved and treasured.
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