Obituary of May Ella Houghton
HOUGHTON, May Ella
May Ella was born on May 3, 1931 in Campbellton, New Brunswick to Flora and Valmont Boudreau. She was the youngest of 6 children and, as the baby, received a lot of attention from her brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles. While growing up in Campbellton, she met her husband, John E. Houghton, while he was working part time at a local gas station during the summer. On July 17, 1954, John and May Ella were married at the Notre-Dames-Des-Neiges church in Campbellton and honeymooned at the Bay of Fundy before moving to Peterborough, Ontario where John began his career after graduating with an Engineering degree.
John was quickly recruited by the pulp and paper industry and moved the family to a number of towns in Quebec including Shawinigan (where their 3 daughters Susan, Anne and Margaret were born), Grand'Mere, Port Alfred and Baie Comeau, and finally St. Catharines, Ontario. Each time, May Ella set up the household, created new social networks and helped her children adapt to the new location.
May Ella loved to play sports, particularly golf and curling, and has 2 holes in one to her credit. She was also a fierce bridge player, competitive cribbage player and a well-known fly fisherman in certain parts of Quebec. May Ella was also a great cook, well known for her meat pies, meatballs, ribs, meatloaf, lemon squares, chocolate marshmallow squares and chocolate chip cookies. These are just a few of the memories she has given her children and grandchildren. But her love of family trumps all of these memories. As her oldest grandson, Ted Kirkpatrick, wrote in her 80th birthday tribute book:
"From the time when I was old enough to trick you into thinking there was a fire in my room, you have always been there for the grandkids, especially the first one, Me! I always looked forward to dinners at your house on Camelot Court, playing pool, swimming and even the rare times when I used to help you make chocolate chipit cookies. Although that house and those days are gone, you and I still manage to have fun and share some laughs. Even though I don't say grace anymore, I know my 24 year old soul is in good hands because I'm sure you pray for me at church and will continue to do so, and you better because otherwise I ain't getting into heaven."
May Ella's beautiful smile, laugh, sense of style and love of family will stay with us forever. She loved spending time with her family and good friends and created long-lasting memories for everyone. In her last days, she repeatedly expressed to all of her family how happy she was that "we are all there together."
The family would like to thank Dr. Nishan Jayawardene, the staff at the Royal Henley Retirement Community and Hospice Niagara, and other community caregivers for their compassionate care and support.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines. A private funeral mass will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Niagara or the Canadian Cancer Society.
"Remember that soul mates never separate at death...they just exist in a different presence."
