Obituary of Lena Elizabeth Reid

REID, Lena Elizabeth (McLean) Lena passed away peacefully at Strathmere Lodge, Strathroy, on April 17th, 2020. She was born on May 10th, 1921, at Mt. Carmel, Ontario. Lena was one of the McLean twins and was in her 99th. year. She was married to George Kenneth Reid for 62 years (March 6, 2002) and mostly lived in Caradoc Township. She was the loving mother of Darlene and John Priestley of Harrow, Ken and Laura of Strathroy and Gary and Frieda of Poplar Hill. She was predeceased by her twin sister Laila Ogg (Parker) on March 30th, 2020. Lena will be missed by her 16 grandchildren 14 great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter as well as many nieces and nephews. She demonstrated love and commitment to family and community. Besides a life of farming, she spent several years nursing at Strathmere Lodge and then later became a long-time member of the Auxiliary. Her volunteer life was spent at church gatherings, Ladies Aid or teaching Sunday School. She loved providing music for parties or choirs, arranging Christmas concerts, organizing an annual Vacation Bible School and also creating an annual Sacred Concert for many years. She encouraged youth skating parties and held large crokinole parties at the house and arranged for the annual family reunions. She enjoyed singing for many groups and also regularly played the organ and piano. She loved to travel and visit and faithfully sent all kinds of cards. She spent many hours quilting, on her own or with others, to provide blankets. She enjoyed locating new recipes and baking. Her spectacular buffets for special days and activities are memorable for everyone in the family. She provided many wedding cakes and lots of molded chocolates. Everyone loved dipping into the cookie jar filled with chocolate chip, peanut butter cookies. The family expresses thanks and appreciation to the compassionate staff at Strathmere Lodge for their on-going care and attention while she was in residence there. Arrangements are entrusted to DENNING’S OF STRATHROY (32 Metcalfe St. W., Strathroy, 519-245-1023). There will be a private family service conducted by Rev. Inga Stahl. Interment will be in the Mount Brydges Cemetery. Online condolences and donations may be left at www.strathroyfuneralhome.com.