A resident of the Wellington House Nursing Home in Prescott for the past two years, May Jarvis passed away peacefully there on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. She was 98.
May was born Ethel May in Gillingham, Kent, England on October 19, 1918, to her parents Peter and Eleanor Middlehurst (nee Newman) – a middle sister to Phyllis and Ida.
At three months of age, she moved with her family to Edinburgh, Scotland where she and her family established their roots.
At fourteen, she began her career in retail working at Brunton’s General Store in Edinburgh and would continue on there for eight years.
During the Second World War, she was called up to the National Fire Service.
She worked the phones taking calls for fires and dispatching crews and equipment to fight them.
During the war, May met Edmund Jarvis from Morrisburg, Ontario who was stationed on the HMCS Skeena.
May married Edmund in June 1942, at the Church of Scotland Manse on Dalmeny Street in Edinburgh.
Edmund was subsequently transferred to the HMCS Athabaskan.
Now if you were chatting with, May she would have never described herself as a brave or courageous adventurer.
She would have told you about her faith, her husband, her family, and especially her grandchildren.
However, while the war was raging in the North Atlantic, May boarded the Aquitania bound for Halifax.
After safe passage to Halifax, she boarded a train and began her journey to Morrisburg to meet her Canadian family.
She received a very large welcome from Edmund’s parents and his fourteen brothers and sisters.
Unfortunately, May and her new family would soon receive the devastating news that Edmund’s ship, the Athabaskan, had been torpedoed and sunk and that Edmund was declared missing and eventually deceased.
May had originally planned a return to Edinburgh. However after some time a relationship developed and she married Edmund’s brother Hugh at the manse of Knox Presbyterian Church. They were happily married for 57 years.
In the ensuing years, May dedicated herself to being a good wife, mother, and neighbour.
Over the years, she was blessed with two children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
May was a devout member of St. James Church for many years.
She served on the Altar Guild, the Fellowship Club and the Anglican Church Women’s group.
Many hours were spent in the old Sunday school preparing and serving church suppers.
May’s faith was strong and unwavering. It continued to grow and deepen throughout her life. It impacted her family, friends, and all who met her.
She leaves her legacy in the family that she created and loved and in a life well lived.
May is survived by her children Doug (Chris) of Iroquois and Karen Barclay (late Bill) of Morrisburg, her grandchildren Mark Jarvis (Jeni), Steve Morrow (Trish), Saskia Jarvis (Ian), Jennifer Carr (Jamie), Ashley Adams (Dan), Erin Taillefer (Paul), Sarah Drummond (Rick) and her great-grandchildren Kai, Emma, Sammy, Charlotte, Mitchell, Sloane, Mathis and Naomi.
She was predeceased by her husband, Hugh Jarvis and by her sisters, Phyllis and Ida.
She is also survived by several sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
Friends called at St. James Anglican Church, Morrisburg, on Saturday, November 12th from 10 a.m. until noon.
The funeral service followed at 2 p.m., with Rev. Jon Martin officiating.
Interment followed at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Morrisburg. Pallbearers were her grandchildren, Steve Morrow, Jennifer Carr, Mark Jarvis, Saskia Jarvis, Ashley Adams and Dan Adams.
Donations to Winchester Hospital or CHEO would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.
Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.
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