Lucille Phair

LUCILLE PHAIR  (nee Munro)…..

Lucille passed away peacefully, on December 23, 2016, in her 98th year. Her vivacity, sense of humour, generosity and loving kindness will be deeply missed by her extended family: Daughters Lana Phair-Sutherland (Jim), Georgia Phair (Ike) and son Michael Phair (Margot) as well as six adored grandchildren, 15 equally adored great grandchildren and beloved nieces and nephews. Lucille was predeceased by her husband of 62 years George Carlton Phair and her brothers Stewart and Donald.

Mary Lucille Munro was born in 1919 to Jack and Janet Munro near Florence Ontario. From an early age she was a musical prodigy and played a number of instruments as well as the church organ every Sunday. She later studied music in London, Toronto, Detroit and Boston. A multifaceted gal, she also played baseball for the Florence Chicks and was a keen skater. Her father gave her a car at 16, and at 18 she began her career as a music teacher in the rural schools around Florence. She was known to have a heavy foot on the gas, which persisted throughout her career as a music supervisor, racing from one school to the next across Chatham Kent.

In 1944 Lucille met Carl Phair, a flight lieutenant from Dresden Ontario, home for leave from PEI where he was training pilots. After a whirlwind courtship they married and moved to Charlottetown. After the war, they moved to Sudbury and then finally settled in Wallaceburg Ontario where they raised their family and participated fully in the life of the community.  In retirement, they continued to hone their golf games in Florida for many winters, and made dozens of friends with whom they played golf, bridge and traveled. From her 60’s to her 80’s Lucille could be found delivering Meals on Wheels to other seniors. In her 80’s she was “Shooting her Age” on the golf course until fate intervened and she lost a leg to venous insufficiency. Showing great determination and continued athleticism she learned to walk again in her mid 80’s and even returned to the golf course – albeit only to putt. She never lost her innate elegance and sense of style. To the despair of her doctors and therapists, there were no old lady shoes for her!

Lucille was a great storyteller, fuelled by her tremendous interest in people. In later life she was afflicted by dementia, but her stories grew only more interesting, delighting her family and her caregivers. The family would like to thank the staff at Chartwell London and at Willow HomeCare for their loving care of Lucille.

A Celebration of Life will be at a later date. Cremation has taken place. Donations may be made to Canadian Diabetes Association. Arrangements entrusted to A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com