It is with great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Vida Rosemary Newman (Née Medford). Daughter of Lillian Medford and Halliwell Medford, she was born April 27, 1935 in Bridgetown Barbados before moving to Georgetown Guyana and then Montreal.
Here she met the love of her life, (CPL) Lionel James (Jim) Newman and became a military wife, having 3 children Christine Christopher and Ian, before moving to Germany for nearly a decade. This fueled her passion for education and her lived experience as an immigrant pushed her to complete a Montessori children’s education certificate to teach ESL programs within the city. In her time in Ottawa, she found community within St Aidan’s Anglican Church, frequently being one of the last people to leave after mass coffee time.
As a self taught painter, she showed those around her how to find the many colours of life around them even in what seemed like bleak times and translated that to the canvas. Predeceased by her husband Jim and her children, she is survived by her sole grandchild Alexxus-Leigh (Jaclyn), her brother Wayne (Linda), brother-in-law Leslie Newman (Leena), and several friends who have become family.
Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service on Saturday, October 19th at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church (934 Hamlet Road, Ottawa), at 1:00p.m. followed by a reception at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre (280 Beechwood Ave.) from 2:30-4:30
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Aidan's Anglican Church or the Canadian Cancer Society.
Digital Guestbook
Terri Robb
Wayne Medford
Rosemary had a life well lived. A life filled with adventures, challenges, joys and tragedies.
Born to Hallowell Austin Medford and his wife Lillian May Weekes in Barbados. She and her family moved to British Guiana. Her brother, Wayne, was born when she was 10 years old. In 1952, she and her family moved to Montreal, Canada. A move if significant change, the lifestyle, the food, the culture. Rosemary was the first to be employed, working in a bank.
Rosemary enjoyed and experienced many joys and adventures from living in Germany for 10 years and having 3 children Christopher, Christine and Ian. She also experienced true tragedy in that she survived all of her children. Christopher as a young child, Ian and Christine as young adults.
Rosemary was a very committed member of the Anglican Church participating in many aspects of the church from Sunday School to choir whatever was asked of her she was a committed participant.
She loved entertaining her family and friends especially with West Indian food. She loved hot sauce.
When in Germany she became a Montessori teacher and continued when she returned to Canada. She developed a joy and skill as an artist, self-taught.
Rosemary loved the church, her friends and her family all of whom will miss her spirit and joy of life.
Lynda Larouche
I had the pleasure of meeting Rosemary and her husband through my work as a receptionist at their dental office. Such a lovely couple. Rosemary was always interested in what was going on in your life and made you feel special. So glad I met her, she will be greatly missed. She is now reunited with the family she loved so dearly.
She sounds like a wonderful person and an outstanding Grandma. I wish I had met her Alexxus. May she rest in peace with your Grandpa and your Dad xo