Tribute To Our Mother

I was the second child of Nellie Hillyard, born March 4, 1945. My siblings at the time were Andrew, Bill, and Joseph. My birth name was Dorothy Mildred Greatrix.
I had the priviledge of living with my birth mother for the first four and a half years of my life. During that time she taught me valuable lessons of endurance. I became a strong person, learning to succeed despite the odds. My mother often told me a story about me sitting on her knee, wiping away her tears and telling her everything would be ok.

Circumstances beyond her control took my siblings and myself away from her. Our mother was devastated. When she had other children, she lavished all that extra love and attention on them, and even took in foster children.

I was raised by a couple who continued teaching me the values my birth mother had instilled in me, and in that respect, consider myself very fortunate. My name was changed to Edith Beulah Anne Goheen.

My youngest brother at the time, Joseph Frederick Greatrix, was also adopted into a good home. We still haven&&single&&t been re-united with him, but hope we get that chance in the future.

The oldest two brothers, Andrew and Bill were not as fortunate.

Andrew Joseph Greatrix never found a permanent home, and moved from place to place. During that time he obtained a guitar that reminded him of his father, who was a country and western singer, and often turned to the guitar for comfort. Andrew had a determintation to succeed that he learned from our mother, and became very successful in the music field. Our mother enjoyed listening to his music, and was proud of his accomplishments.

Bill (William Leslie Greatrix) my other sibling, at the time remained in foster care until he branched out on his own. He shares our mother&&single&&s compassion for people and her sense of humour. Our mother always seemed to be smiling and found humour in life&&single&&s every day things. She was overjoyed to be re-united with Bill and her only regret was that she didn&&single&&t get to see him more often, and meet his family.

It was through Bill that I was re-united with my birth family.

I corresponded with my birth mother for a year before I finally made the trek up north to Timmins. All the way up there I questioned the wisdom of taking my two children into an unknown situation, but when I got there I recognized my my birth mother immediately, and was made to feel welcome by everyone there. From that point began a bonding with my family that has grown with the years.

As I got to know my birth mother, I discovered many traits that we had in common. My mother and I didn&&single&&t get together as much as we would have liked, but what time we spent together was quality time.

When I first re-united with my birth mother she was 64. March 4th, 2009, the day before she died, I went to visit her. It was the first time I remember spending my birthday with my mother since I was a young child. I turned 64 that day which to me seemed to finish the circle of events.

Now my goal is to get to know my other siblings better and in turn, allow them to share their memories of our mother with me, so we can reminise together

Our mother always wanted her story told, and by sharing memories we will keep those stories alive.

My mother will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother who never took things for granted and lived life to it&&single&&s fullest.

She will be missed.

We had the privilege of meeting Nellie at the Sophers a few years ago. She always had a funny story to tell. She loved life and loved her Family. Mother&&single&&s are Definitely Special. She will be remembered by all. Joan and Joe Mckay.

I am so sorry for your loss. I met Nellie about 15 years ago when I was working at a garden center in Huntsville. We had the most incredible conversation about her life and how strong of a woman she was. I have never forgotten her since that day, and always wondered how she was doing. She was a very beautiful woman inside and out. Anyone that met her are very blessed.