Obituaries

Miss Melli I will miss all the fun we had at BMO when the message centre was set up. We played more pranks on each other that the rest of the staff combined. You always made my crazy English Bay days so much easier. I’m honoured to have met and worked with you over the years. My heartfelt sympathies go out to you, Jim and all of your families. God needed another angel and she will be the best yet. Penny Braidwood now Martineau Keremeos BC

We would like to express our sorrow and condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Bank of Montreal Pensioners Association

Jim - I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Mel. I am truly honoured and blessed to have known her. She will not be forgotten. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.

How can me and my family forget a beautiful, loving and kind soul like Mel... a lady we fondly call our Canadian mom. I came to know her 9 years ago at work. She comes to work, seasonal on call, but we instantly became close friends. She takes care of me especially on busy times at work...just like a mother reminding her daughter not to miss lunch breaks and coffee breaks. Our personalities clicked well instantly. On our first winter in Canada she gave all six of us in the family, special hand-made mittens by her mom and a pair of knitted slippers she personally did for me. She was always thoughtful and caring to advise me and my family how to prepare and what to do in winter time, just because she knows we came from a tropical country and winter is not something we are familiar with. Very motherly indeed! She is a good baker. I have tasted her delicious banana loaf bread, scones, chewy oat cookies and a lot more that she would bring to the office, and make extras for me to bring home for my family. She unselfishly share in the office any new found, tried and tested recipes, and gives us freshly harvested tomatoes from her garden. While she loves to bake for my family, I enjoy cooking for her. Her favorites are: Chinese stir fry noodles, butter garlic shrimps, Chinese spring rolls, sushis, and fresh Vietnamese rolls. We are both adventurous on food! She is truly a kind hearted lady! One day she told me how she wished I was her daughter and with no second thoughts, I willingly agreed to that. But I told her later that I have plenty of baggages - as I have 4 kids and a husband, and she says baggages are always welcome and she'd take them. Her gestures were just always very loving and affectionate. And that's when I got home so excited telling my family that I have met a Canadian lady who just adopted me and all of us. I learned the basics of knitting from her for which i later on made scarves as a gift for family and friends. She is a very sociable, supportive and fun loving person. I remember that time when my son got in the semi-final round for Canada's Got Talent and we have no family to cheer and watch with us, she and Jim came to support us. They were both holding banners and signs like cheerleaders in a huge crowd. She would always try her best to watch my son's annual concert for a cause after that and had a few times brought along her other family members as well. She would always invite us to watch Christmas concerts at Calvary Temple where she goes for Sunday services with her mom. She made herself present in the many special occasions in my family's life one of which was when me and my family took our oath for Canadian citizenship. I can go on and on with all the beautiful memories I have with her. Our friendship goes beyond friends..it was like a real mother-daughter relationship. Her surprise visits in the last few months, unplanned lunches and coffee time and hours of talk was just not enough. All these wonderful memories will always live in our hearts forever. I will definitely miss her funny stories and hours of fun and laughter. Time with her was always not enough. Our last few gigs together were trips to visit her mom and a place where she showed me a huge water dam..these were always extensions of our time together. Me and my family will sorely miss her, our Canadian mom! I know God called her home because He doesn't want to see His daughter suffering in pain. We will always keep Mel in our thoughts and prayers and may her soul rest in peace. We love you Mel! To you and your family Jim, our deepest condolences. Be Strong and Take care always! Matthew 5:4 says, Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Jim...I am deeply saddened by the news of Mel’s passing. When I think back on all of the good people I had the pleasure of working with, Mel certainly ranks at the top of the list. She will be truly missed and will always be remembered. My sincere condolences.

Our thoughts and prays are with you and your family. Diane Zimmer