Linda Maryann Craven (O’Flaherty)
With profound sadness, the family of Linda Maryann Craven announces her passing on Tuesday, March 10, 2015. After a courageous battle with cancer she passed away peacefully at the Atikokan General Hospital with family at her side.
Linda was born on September 14, 1949 in Sydney, Nova Scotia to Cecil and Blanche O’Flaherty. In 1956, Linda moved to Atikokan, Ontario with her family where she attended St. Patrick’s School and the Atikokan High School. She then completed the hair dressing program at college in Sault St. Marie and upon graduation returned to Atikokan. Linda worked at McTaggarts clothing store, then the Saan store and finally at Monty’s Jewellers, all in Atikokan. While working at the McTaggarts clothing store in 1969, she met the love of her life, Verne Craven, who had moved to Atikokan while working for the old Department of Lands and Forests. In July of 1971, they were married and had 43 years together and raised two beautiful daughters.
Linda looked forward to her yearly vacations with her husband and daughters and as her children grew older and were married, travel included her beloved grandchildren and special sons-in-law. She loved the bus tours to Minneapolis (to see Shania Twain), to Branson, Missouri, and to Memphis and Nashville. Two of her favourite stops were St. Jude’s Hospital and Graceland. She loved her camping trips with her family and loved seeing her grandchildren playing and sitting around the evening campfire. Her Bichon Frise dog, Shadow, was always at her side and even had his own chair at the evening fires. When at home, her passion was gardening and her yard which had to be decorated for each season of the year.
Left to mourn her passing are her husband Verne, daughters Coreena and Clorissa, special sons-in-law Shane and Sean, and grandchildren Brianna, Callin, Jaylin and Jordan. She is also survived by brothers Michael (Shelly), Raymond (Debbie) of Thunder Bay, Cecil Jr. (Beverly), Sam (Carol Ann) O’Flaherty of Atikokan, brothers-in-law Ken (Linda) Craven of Oshawa and Dr. John Craven of London, and many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and special friends. She was predeceased by her parents Blanche and Cecil O’Flaherty Sr., infant sister Linda, in-laws Harvey and Muriel Craven, and, recently, her very special fur friend, Shadow.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service was held for Linda in Atikokan at St. Patrick’s Church on Tuesday, March 17. Officiating at the ceremony was Father Elvis. Active pallbearers were her four grandchildren and honorary pallbearers were members of the CWL. Internment will take place at a later date in Atikokan.
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