With broken hearts, our family announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Dema Leona Carson (nee: Manary) on January 4, 2018 with her family by her side.

Mom was born July 5, 1925 in Muskoka Falls, Ontario to Bert and Alice (Willoughby) Manary. Mom spoke fondly of her days spent in Bracebridge as a young girl often playing in the cemetery along the Muskoka River with sisters and friends, her Sunday School days and her school days, though she was not fond of school! Her family moved in 1937, from Bracebridge to Hoyle, Ontario where her dad built a homestead of logs, the house set far enough in the bush that it was accessible only by a three mile walk through the bush or boat along the Porcupine River. Later, Mom moved to Kingston to live with her sister and husband and worked, herself, in a teacup factory. During this stay, on the bridge in Kingston, during WWII, she met a handsome soldier who stole her heart. They married a few years later in 1947 and moved to Fort William, ON. for work and to raise their family. She talked fondly of the times spent living on Mclaughlin St. in the East End. In 1948, David was born followed by Bev, Gary, Kevin, Donald, Vickie and Craig in 1968. They lived on Brown Street, Rosslyn Road and, in 1985, moved to Pearson Township to build their retirement hobby farm where Mom lived until her passing. She enjoyed the peaceful country and enjoyed seeing the wildlife from her favourite chair overlooking the fields. Mom loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her family was her greatest joy. She also was very supportive of those less fortunate, supporting many charities in her life. Mom also loved her dogs and cats, having many in her lifetime.

Mom is survived by her son David, grandson Jaret Carson and great granddaughter Bethany Friesen, daughter Bev (Jim Zweep), granddaughter Cara (Al Pylvainen) and great grandchildren Christopher, Erik and Alyssa Pylvainen, grandson Jeff Zweep, grandson Michael Carson, son Kevin Carson and grandsons Devon Carson and Clayton (Natalie Planeta) and great granddaughter Kyla Carson, son Donald Carson, daughter Vickie (Richard Curtis) and grandsons Brendon Roy, Mitchell Curtis, granddaughters Meghan (Shaun Gaudette), great granddaughters Kaylee Gaudette and Breanna Gaudette, granddaughter Cassandra Curtis (Aaron Bogensberger) and great grandson Bryce Bogensberger, step granddaughter Kayla Curtis and step great grandchildren, Brandon Smithers, Garrett Horvath and Katilynn Larsen; son Craig and grandsons Ciaran and Nathan Carson. Also survived by sister Irma Howard (Archie), special niece Gloria Coott (Harry), sisters in law Mary Manary, June Hadden, Vida Moore, Becky Rooney, Bonnie (Steve) Hall, Inez Gannicott and brother in law Keith Carson, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents Alice and Bert Manary, her loving husband of 53 years, Melvin Earl Carson, her beloved son Gary (1975) and his daughter, her granddaughter Jennifer Carson (1973), grandson Tad Carson (2005), along with her brothers Alfred Manary, Osbert Manary (Violet), Earl Manary and sisters, Annette Gibbons (John), Sefrona McCorriston (Hilliard), Verna Miller (Stan), brothers in law Alton Carson (Collette), Charles (Madeline), Cecil, Terry Hadden, Delbert Moore, Bob Rooney, sister in law Irene Holland (Harry), as well as numerous other family members.

Private Family Funeral services were held Monday, January 8, 2018 at Slate River Baptist Church officiated by Pastor R. Cain. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mom’s memory may be made to the Humane Society, Salvation Army, Shelter House or The Rural Cupboard Food Bank in Conmee.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Westfort Chapel, 420 West Gore Street at James.