Alisen Sinclare
This week has been an emotional one. From loosing Stephen’s wonderful Aunt on Friday to loosing an amazing Grandmother last night. I received the “awaited call” from dad last night that our 92 year old Nanny, Alisen Sinclare, had passed on. I say amazing lady because to me she always had such a positive way. Even as she sat in the assisted living home it was a big smile and 2 thumbs up. Only once in awhile did we see the sadness when we left our visits and boy was that hard. The care facility loved her there. She was the special one who stood out with her joking attitude and funny comments. I will always remember her love of porcelain figurines of which she had many. Her pink cotton balls in the bathroom and pretty soap we did not touch along with the special towels. The cousins would gather in the basement and play Sears catalogue order, and discuss the” ham” we were about to eat. We would sneak chocolates from Pom-Pom’s stash and try to find something to watch on channel 3 while adjusting the rabbit ears. We would head upstairs to find not only ham but homemade cabbage rolls and the must always be fried, delicious perogies .Oh, and the always marshmallow rolls wrapped in wax paper. I was just reminded of these from Robbin. She was a good cook and an excellent hostess.
Her life was a very full one. Starting with stories from when she came to Canada from her Polish homeland as a youngster on a boat. We heard she sang for money on that trip and was possibly excited about the adventure their family was partaking in. The family began their Canadian adventure in Hairy Hill a town not far from Vegreville. “Stella” as she was called at the time later met Pom-Pom and travelled to Halifax where he served as an officer in the navy. Dad was with them during those times and soon came Uncle Leagh. I heard when the war was over Pom-Pom came home and said what do we do now, well it seems Nanny was enterprising and was doing laundry and took in a boarder I am not sure of details but she had saved money and stashed it under the mattress so when pom-pom asked this question she surprised him with the opportunity for their next adventure.
Pom-Pom then went to UBC to become a pharmacist and together the opened their own pharmacy in Kitsilano. They thrived with this business. Together they achieved much. Travel was at the forefront . They had done what most only dream of doing by travelling the world. I remember the very long slide show as a kid. Even after Pom-Pom had passed she managed to take her boys and her “girls” away on a couple of cruises building lasting memories. I heard that her bed would be made at 6am and she would be dressed and ready for the day knocking at the door.
Interesting how her early years were of depression and hard luck to come full circle to the prosperous years that her generation witnessed. She was fortunate to have a good full life and did not take it for granted. I will always be thankful to have my grandparents around while growing up. And for my own little family to have known her like I did. I loved her attitude and will treasure our times together always. Love you Nanny….XO
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