Our loving, generous, beautiful mother has left us at the age of 83. We will forever miss her smiles, her laugh, her words of advice, her hugs and kisses; even her tears.
Christina was born April 21, 1941, in Bells Hill, Scotland - a war baby, complete with a Mickey Mouse gas mask. In 1949, wee Chrissie and her mother sailed for Canada to join her father in northwestern Ontario, living at first in a trailer in the woods. She grew up in Nipigon, where she married Lyle Stewart four days after turning 17(!) and had a baby (Irene) before she was 19.
A move to Waterloo in 1963; another baby at 25 (Arthur); divorce, dating and dancing in discos in Toronto by 1973.
Chris was a single Mom working hard to keep it together, finding her footing in Social Services. For many years until retiring, she developed and ran programs to help other young mothers and to bring together seniors and kids.
In TO she also met her beloved second husband, Bob Day. They were together for 30 years until his death in 2007. His loss was very hard on her, as was the death of her sister, Irene, in 2017.
But she had a lot of joy as well, seeing her grandchildren, Walker and Keanan, grow into accomplished young men with the guidance of her son and his wife, Donna; sharing great times and lots of wine with friends, Barb, Nancy, Pauline and Karen; loving her precious pets, past and present.
In the garden and the kitchen, she was a creative queen, and nothing made her happier than feeding people who appreciated her efforts - especially her honorary "son" Phil.
She didn't get to see Alaska like she wanted to, but she and Irene did make it to Italy, New Orleans, Nova Scotia, Mexico, Florida and many cottages around Ontario.
A few words can never sum up a life. Christina Hamilton Stewart Day was a complex, complicated, fiery, fabulous, inspiring irreplaceable human being. Keep her in your hearts.
Many thanks to the dedicated doctors, nurses and staff at Niagara Hospice for their tender care and kindness.
Natural burial has taken place. If you wish to honour Christina's memory, please donate to a charity supporting animals.
"Will you go, lassie, go?
And we'll all go together
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the blooming heather
Will you go, lassie, go?"
Arrangements entrusted to Considerate Cremation & Burial Services, 26 Nihan Drive, St. Catharines (between Lake Street & Scott Street), 289-362-1144. Online condolences may be made at CCBSCares.ca
