To Our Beautiful Mum
Myrtle Rose Ivy was born on the 16th of May 1924 in Hanwell West London the first daughter of Thomas and Kate Farr and was later joined by a sister Eileen. Her childhood was a most happy one surrounded by family and a variety of pets, her cat Tiddles being a particular favorite. Still a teenager when WW2 broke out, she like many young women went to work in the aircraft factories assembling parts for the planes that would help win the war. Her job was to work on the gun turrets that would be used on the Lancaster Bomber, the most famous of the planes. There are only two left in the world one in England the other in Canada. Like many young people she loved to go out dancing even at the height of the war. We were always amazed to hear about her evenings out ! Or, as she herself put it " Life still had to go on". Towards the end of the war she met Edward O'Neill a Canadian soldier and they fell in love. When it was over in 1945 our father returned and asked her to marry him. We have always thought it brave of her to leave her homeland and start a new life in Canada. His parents welcomed her and treated her as if she were their own daughter, and she loved them both very much. She has told us of the many wonderful and often funny times they would have. Their first child Patrick was born in 1954 and a second son Edward in 1963. Both of our parents were always there for us, hands on and involved. Be it driving us to school or picking us up from rock concerts. Her other love was of home, always making sure we had what was needed. She loved gardening, knitting and cooking a good English dinner. We were blessed to have such warm and loving parents. But, our Mum was the one who always held us together in good times and bad. The strongest woman we know, her love for us, and us for her will always be enduring. Thanks Mum, for everything.
