Obituary of Virginia Ann Couture

Family and Friends, we sadly share that our mum Ginny - Virginia Ann Couture (Rapp) - passed away peacefully in her sleep last night at Linhaven in St.Catharines. She was 74 and had just marked her 55th wedding anniversary with Marcel this week.

Mum battled Aphasia for the last years of her life, which impacted her speech and ultimately her overall mobility and health, but it was always her inside.

Mum was a hard working, fun loving and tough person; very much loved by Marcel, me, Chantel, Alana, Chris, and her only grandchild, Maddy.

She was born in Bedford, England in 1949 and immigrated to Canada with her Dad in 1967 travelling on board the HMS Sylvania across the Atlantic from Southampton to Quebec; settling in Hamilton with Auntie Peggie and her cousins. Soon after that, she met Dad and married.

Mum always worked hard, taking care of her brother David and her Dad following her mother’s early passing back in England. As we grew up, mum worked on area fruit farms, in the BDSS cafeteria, and for many years at Flemming's Chicks. She also spent time volunteering at Maple Grove school and driving us everywhere.

Mum and Dad enjoyed their years in Saskatchewan from the late 1980s with Dad’s family, returning to Beamsville in the 1990s in time for Maddy to arrive. Her and Dad spent many summers at Bissells campground, where they made more friends and hosted family and friends for lots of fun times. Mum loved pop music and country classics. I fondly recall watching one of The Who’s “farewell” concerts with her live on TV. One of her proudest moments was becoming a Canadian Citizen in 2003, following our endless warnings of impending deportation.

Mum loved dogs, including Dudley, Sheba, Spooky, and Stella. She had her stuffed puppy with her last night.

Our mum was a model of resilience. Her and Dad set an amazing example of lifelong love and respect. We could not have asked for more, except more time with her healthy.

Thanks to the wonderful staff at Linhaven, where she was so well cared for, and where Dad was always made to feel so welcomed on his daily visits.

Mum’s wishes were to keep it simple - she will be cremated and there is no event. In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations to the Aphasia Institute in her memory and encourage everyone to learn about, and better understand, Aphasia.