Geraldine (Gerry) May Squires (nee Irish)

Sadly, on November 15, 2015 our loving wife, mother, and grandmother passed away. Left to mourn her passing is her devoted husband of 58 years, Arthur; daughters Kathleen Abraham (Dennis), Erika (Gurbeen), and son Greg; grandchildren Amber, Tyler, Kai, and Jaylene. As well as special nieces Gail, Robin and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends scattered throughout Canada and the US. She was a much-loved “Newmarket” grandmother to Terry, Amanda, and Nicole Woods, as well as Jake Bissonnette. She enjoyed Jake’s magic tricks immensely, and she was fortunate enough to have met Amanda’s son Maddex. Good friends Kim Woods; Karin & John Bissonnette; Karen Shepherd will miss her greatly. She was predeceased by Bryan Woods who was like a son to her. Gerry was born at home in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec. She was pre-deceased by her parents Kathleen (Byrne) and Joseph Irish, brother Bill, Tom (Betty), sister Peggy, as well as her close cousin Bob Miller from Rome, New York.

Mom was an avid reader keeping Dad busy with almost daily trips to the Newmarket Public Library – since 2002 from that library alone, she read 1874 books! She had worked as a proofreader before deciding to stay home to raise her children, but her love of books never diminished. She also loved to cook and bake as evidenced by the multitude of newspaper recipe clippings and cookbooks going back more than 50 years – notes like “delicious” and “not good” were common to see as well as her own personal modifications. As kids we loved to sneak her Christmas baking even when she tried to hide it in the freezer. She has passed on that love of baking to all of her kids, although none of us are anywhere near as good as her. She loved making picnic lunches for our family day trips as well as surprise plate lunches at home. She was a loving, supportive and amazing mother. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren, and would tell all her friends about them. She was also proud of her time spent in the Naval Reserve with her sister Peggy in the early 50s. She was a whiz at crossword puzzles and only let Dad Google an answer if she was really stuck – which wasn’t often.

A celebration of life will be held at Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home, 157 Main St. S., Newmarket on Friday, November 20, 2015 from 2 – 4 p.m. If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Southlake Hospice would be appreciated so that the wonderful care she received at Southlake Regional Health Centre can be continued.

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