Lorene Phyllis Schafer

Gramma - you have always been so kind and welcoming to me as your first son-in-law and for that, I will never forget your love. But you were also the there to welcome and nurture our four children and later on when we became grand-parents, to our seven grand-children. I have always been amazed by how you maintained so many of your relationships in the towns and cities where you lived. Throughout the years, you always kept in touch with family and friends alike, and the fact that you never forgot anyone's birthday, anniversary and those important achievements through life, points to your unwavering dedication and love for everyone within your circle. Most importantly, you always put the needs of others before yours. Although you have left us, your legacy will continue through your family and through the memories you have left with each of us. We will all miss your caring, your smile and your laugh. I will always love you. Dan Roberts

A donation has been made to The SickKids Foundation. Message from the donator: My family and I are pleased to make an in-memoriam donation to The SickKids Foundation for Toots, my best friend in the world. My heart breaks with her loss, especially for Den, Susan, Kim, David, Faye, Jane, Dan and their families. I’ve known Toots and Den since 1968 when they and their young family moved in next door in Chapleau, Ontario. I cherish those years as dear friends and neighbours. I wish we hadn’t been separated geographically, but we stayed close over the many remaining years. I’ve always admired Toots and have never known anyone so consistently kind, supportive, loving and expressive of all things good and true. Toots, you are most remarkable and unforgettable—you are the very best. I carry you in my heart forever and am blessed to have had your beautiful friendship grace my life. May you be at peace, and may your family continue to be buffered by the strength of your enduring love. I love you with all my heart, my dearest friend. ~ Lois Hutchings, with Barb Secker, Susan Young-Secker, Jeff Secker and Lori Riker-Secker

Mom You are the mother l aspire to be. Everyday on this earth l will miss you. I will be looking for you when l have life to share but you will be gone. That habit will be hard to break. I have a broken heart. I will forever try to make you proud. We will look after Dad. You are deeply loved Momma Jane

Dear Dennis and family, I was so very sorry to hear that Lorene (Toots) passed away. She was a wonderful person and loving mother, and she will be dearly missed. My sincere condolences. Paul Secker

Dear Gram, I can’t believe you’re gone, my heart is still so heavy. I always thought you would live forever and I’m realizing that I was never prepared for you to go. I still hear your uniquely calming voice whenever I close my eyes. Your personality was larger than life and you truly set the bar on how to live a fulfilling life. It was always about the people in your life and not the ‘things’, and oh how you made your people feel special. It’s unthinkable how many people you stayed in contact with, relationship building was clearly one of your greatest strengths and passions. You sent cards for EVERYTHING and you took the time to celebrate every achievement or milestone in my life. I loved how you used every linear inch of the card, including writing write through the bar code on many occasions. I have so many card I can re-read when I miss you. You signed off on all of your cards to us with “have a nice life, dear”, which is so fitting because you certainly walked that talk. Thank you for making me feel so special and for being a grandma to Cass when she never had one growing up. What a gift you gave to her. Thank you for the two summers you housed me in Niagara, we had so much fun and really connected deeply. I’m grateful that we took the time to have breakfast and dinner together each day and I especially enjoyed picking fresh veggies from your garden and our TV tray dinners watching the news and Seinfeld. Unquestionably though, my favourite part of my stay was learning more about your love story with grandpa and how you fought through the many challenges that grandpas job threw at your growing family. You always reminded me that if you love one another that life will always work out. You raised 6 incredible children and when you became a grandma, you loved us like your own kids. Fast forward to becoming a great grandma and I could not be more grateful that my own kids had a chance to know you and love you! Thank your everything gram, I will never forget you and I’ll carry you in my heart everywhere I go. With Love Always and Forever, Ryan.

Grandma Schafer, writing a tribute to you feels like an attempt to catch lightning in a bottle. How can I possibly put into words the light and meaning you brought into my life? You were truly one of a kind and there is no one else in this world with the type of tenderness, kindness and thoughtfulness that you represent. You made everyone in your life feel so important and cared for - your family and friends were so valuable to you and you took every opportunity to make sure that they knew they were loved. Your handwritten cards and letters for all of life's events, big or small - birthdays, anniversaries, job promotions, house purchases, recognition at school, recovering from illness, and the just because ones. The love and care enclosed was both obvious and abundant - covering the card on the inside and the back, you made it known that the ones you loved were your greatest assets in life. I have kept every card and every letter that you sent and I read them often. You were a dream come true for me, Toots and I have ever so much to thank you for. Thank you for showing me what the love of a Grandma feels like, thank you for loving my kids with such warmth and thank you for always reminding me to ride the waves of life, anchoring myself in the relationships I have. You have left a legacy of positivity and love that is larger than life and I will proudly carry that forward with intentionality. You are a treasure who will be forever missed and always dearly loved.

Mom Grief comes to us today because an immense love came first! On the hard days that will follow we will remember how much you loved us. How much your family meant to you. You have done so much more for people than you ever realized. A hole will now always be there with your passing, a testament to the woman you are. What will we do without your beautiful heartfelt cards, on our birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas or just because! Our hallmark lady! You should have bought shares way back when. You have touched so many with your kindness and generosity and your innate goodness knew no boundaries. Your beautiful soul that knew the true spirit of being neighbourly. You sent as many meals and baked goods to friends and family and strangers as you did cards! A part of each of us has gone with you today Mom. The Mother memories closest to my heart are the small gentle ones that have carried over from my childhood. All that we are and have become was due to the love of our parents! As grief sits at our table now in place of your earthly body, it sits in a shroud of love and memories of all the things you did as a soulmate, mother, sister grandma and a friend. In our sadness today we sit with immense gratitude to have been blessed with the extraordinary gift of your life! A life you lived with love, generosity and a keen interest in everyone’s story. I will be forever grateful to have called you “Mom”. We will miss your being but we will feel your presence in whatever form you choose to take. We will remember you always as the heartbeat of our family. Your legacy will endure in the love and memories you left behind. I will leave today with a smile because I am your daughter. How lucky we all were to have someone that makes saying goodbye so hard. Go in peace for you have showed the world the light from your heart! I love you Mom!

I first met Lorene at a Niagara Parks Christmas Party. I had no idea the couple I was sitting next to was the new head boss of Niagara Parks with his lovely wife, who proudly told me about their big family. He and Lorene were fun and asked me all sorts of questions. They were interested in people, and were so down to earth, sincere, and unpretentious. They were the genuine article when you think of good people. Dennis was my boss for a while at Niagara Parks. I met Lorene again by chance, when a mutual friend invited me to lunch with a friend of hers. That friend was Lorene, and after that we became friends also. She was a lovely lady, always had a twinkle in her eye, and always interested in people. Dennis and Lorene were "totally in tune" with each other, and he will miss her dreadfully, as will all her large family, who she adored.

A donation has been made to Sick Kids. Message from the donator: Dear Kim & family My sincere condolences of your mom’s passing. My mother, Rena Sonego Salvador from Chapleau, always spoke so fondly of her dear friend “Tootsie,” as she lovingly called Lorene. They shared a bond that was truly special, and I was blessed to hear many stories of their good times together while caring for my mom until her passing in 2022. After my mom passed, I had the good fortune of connecting with Lorene. She shared stories that brought my mother’s memory to life in a way that was both comforting and enlightening. I am so grateful for the time I had to get to know Lorene, even if it was later in life. I only wish I had the opportunity to know her sooner. Thank you, Lorene, for the friendship and joy you brought to my mother’s life and to mine. She was a truly wonderful lady, and her kindness and warmth will be dearly missed. In Lorene’s memory a donation has been made to Sick Kids Foundation. With heartfelt sympathy, Julie Cusimano (Rena’s Daughter)

How lucky am I that my heart feels so heavy over the loss of one of the most influential people in my life? Even in loss, I am filled with gratitude for her impact, grace and the lessons she taught me in my 39 years as her granddaughter. She asked the best questions, was always so thrilled to simply connect and tell you how much she loved you. She wanted all the details of your life and cared so much that you felt your value. When I think of my childhood, it is highlighted by the best memories made at my grandparents house. Every summer, I spent two weeks with them (more if my mom would let me) and felt like I was the most important person in their world. They rolled out the red carpet, made all my favourite meals and treats, let me crawl into their bed at night, read me the stories, shared the tales, attended our “shows”, celebrated my strengths, and tucked me in every night reminding me how loved I was. She was the true essence of what a “Grandma” embodies and she took her role so seriously - never taking it for granted. Her greatest joys were her children, grandchildren, and now, great grandchildren. I will never forget how overjoyed she was to find out I was expecting triplets in 2016! She cherished my trio and soaked up every minute she had with them. Our bond is special and never broken. I’ve kept all your letters and will read them often and remember how authentic your love will always be! I will miss you more than words, Gram! Thank you for your incredible love!

Mr. Schafer and the Schafer Family: My heartfelt condolences on the passing of your wife and Mom. Though there are no words that can take away what you are feeling, tenderly, may time heal your sorrow. Gently, may family and friends ease your pain. Softly, may peace replace your heartaches. And may the warmest memories remain. Though I did not come even close to demonstrating it, Mrs. Schafer was incredibly dear to me - one of the most caring and selfless human beings I have had the privilege of spending time with - and always will be. I will miss her tremendously.

Kim, sorry to hear about your mother's death. Thank you for your kind words about Ched.

I was very sad to hear that Lorene had recently passed away. Lorene was a friend of my Mother Donna Lundy (Niagara Falls). During the past two years I received beautifully handwritten letters and telephone calls from Lorene inquiring about the well being of my Mother who now resides in a long term care home. Lorene was so very kind, caring and sympathetic. On behalf of my Mother Donna, our sincere condolences to Dennis and family. We hope the memories of Lorene provide comfort during this most difficult time. Our prayers are with you and may GOD Bless.

Such a perfect tribute written for such a wonderful woman. Grandma’s heart of gold will live on in our memories, our recipes, our hugs, our bonds and the love that runs ever-present in our family. I am so grateful for the countless gifts that Grandma gave me in my lifetime. I will still think of her as I walk into my kitchen and slip my apron on… and make her Mac n cheese for my kids… and tell them stories about her and how magical it was to grow up with her so close. She really was a secret keeper for her grandkids! I’ll never forget calling her to let her know that I was expecting Fox and how overjoyed she was!! A true legacy of family, caring and undying love lives on in us forever. A matriarch we can all look up to for lifetimes to come. We love you and miss you Grandma! Love, Emily, Timothy & Fox

My heart is full today when I reflect on ALL that you have personified as my mother. Motherhood has been your most significant purpose. Unattainable quest to describe the influence and contribution that you have had in my lifetime. How do you acknowledge unwavering commitment, devotion, love and support. The mother and son relationship that we have shared cannot be captured in words, the sentiment resides deep in the heart and mind. There is an abundance of memories I hold treasured, accompanied with heartfelt and deep thankfulness. By mere destiny, I entered the world bonded to a mother with steadfast and unlimited affection, which remains my profound blessing. Mother, I carry you in my heart, forever present, permanently imprinted.

Lorene was a kind and wonderful neighbour at Southwest One. My sympathies to the family. Lois Tooke

A donation has been made to Sick Kids. Message from the donator: In loving memory of my dear friend. ❤️

I loved this lady and will miss our phone calls. To Dennis and her beautiful family I send heartfelt sympathy. Heaven has an incredible new angel to watch over us all! This obituary is the most beautiful tribute I have ever read. So much love. ❤️ Sincerely, Louise (and Doug)

Lorene is truly an upbeat proper lady with such a beautiful soul! It was my pleasure being in Lorene's company. Ken and I extend our sympathies to Dennis and all your families. Sincerely, Pat (& Ken)