Lena Mary TURPIN

(nee Turpin) Lena Mary Reilly passed away peacefully on Friday, November 15, 2002 in the care of Barbara Riffin at the Ottawa Valley Special Care Residence. Lena had struggled valiantly with Alzheimer's disease for the past seven years. A life in service of others has sadly come to an end and the many people she touched will sadly miss her but her spirit of giving lives on in her children. Born and raised in the small Newfoundland town of St. Lawrence, Lena left her home and family to pursue a nursing career that took her to distant locations like Sioux Lookout where serving others was more important than glamorous surroundings or a lush lifestyle. She eventually found her way to Montreal, where she met John Joseph Reilly while tending to his ailing Father. The two fell in love and married on April 30, 1960. Five exuberant, frenetic children would soon fill her life with a myriad of joys and challenges. A pillar of strength Lena dedicated her life to raising her five children while constantly moving across the country on a never-ending adventure courtesy of Canada's Armed Forces. She eventually settled in Ottawa in 1978 and grew to love her newfound home. As her children grew and gained independence Lena channelled her energy and her passion for service to the Pastoral Care Service at Riverside Hospital until Alzheimer's made it impossible for her to continue. Her never-ending love for children was always exhibited in her devotion to her two grandchildren, Simon and Sophie. Lena is survived by her husband John and her five children, Joseph (Beth Green), John (Kim O'Leary), Mary, James (Misty Cloud) and Patricia (Sean Smith) and her two grandchildren Simon and Sophie. Visitation will take place on Monday from 2 - 4 p.m. and 7 - 9 p.m. at Whelan Funeral Home, 515 Cooper Street (between Bay and Lyon) in Ottawa. The funeral will take place on Tuesday, November 19th at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord, 1940 Saunderson Drive in Ottawa. Interment Hope Cemetery. If you're thinking of sending flowers Lena might say "Don't be so foolish" instead consider sending donations to the Alzheimer's Society of Ottawa, 1750 Russell Road, Suite 1742, Ottawa, Ontario (Re: Lena Reilly). The Ottawa Citizen, 18-11-2002