Apron Memories

Mike Perry at the event.

Mike Perry, local Councillor for Ward 3, attended the “Apron Memories” event on Saturday October 14 at Fenelon Falls United Church. Mike paid tribute to his late mother, Mary Perry. 

"My mother was my hero. She raised me to care about people and be kind and really have love  and salt in tough times. She was a pillar of our community: a kindergarten educator, Sunday School teacher, and a founding member of the Fenelon Falls Grannies for Grannies. I miss her horribly and see her again in so many ways in town and especially through the Grannies." 

Another gentleman honoured his mother, Maria De Deus Medeiros, with a very different story; the story of a strong immigrant woman. Alex Medeiros wore his mother’s apron and told her  story:

“We are from the Azores, island of Sao Miguel, from a very small village called Maia. My Mom and us kids; (6 kids ranging from 4 to 14) me being youngest came to Canada in  January 1968.We grew up in the Portuguese community near Kingston market - Trinity Park area. My Mom was an amazing cook, we had traditional meals. A lot of them included  Portuguese sausage and pepper paste. She was also an excellent seamstress, and made our clothes when we were kids (including knickers!) She was the hardest worker l ever met, she never stopped. She cleaned homes for 30 years, in the Forest Hill area of Toronto, All her clients were Jewish. She was very strict, we had to clean the house every Friday after school (l didn’t  look forward to Fridays) She was also very loving and a caregiver who would do anything for you. She was a devout Catholic and devoted mom and grandmother of 11 grand children. She never went to school, didn’t read or write. We kids taught her how to write her name so she could sign forms.”

“My mother, Maria, didn’t learn how to enjoy life until it was too late. I miss my mom every single day  of my life. She will always be in my heart and soul until my last breath.”

Read more about the event by downloading a pdf of the whole story, with more photos of all that attended and some of the great stories they shared. Click on the button below to download it now!