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Submitted by lbrunet@beechw… on Tue, 06/24/2025 - 01:54:PM

It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Carol Thurston, after a battle with cancer. Cherished wife of Neil and beloved mother of Brent Phillips (Natasha Leitao), Graham Thurston (Megan McDonald), and Warren Thurston (Jennifer). Adoring grandmother of Charlotte Phillips, and Gordon, William, Henry, Grayson, and Jackson Thurston.

She is survived by and will be sorely missed by her sister Alison Montpetit, brother Barry Sigmann (Concetta), and sisters-in-law Joan Honig and Diane Skolny (Ken). Carol will also be deeply missed by her many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Carol was predeceased by her mother, Florence Vera Sigmann, father, Charles Sigmann, stepfather John McDonald, and sister Diane Raymond.

Born in Springhill, Nova Scotia, Carol grew up in the Manor Park neighbourhood of Ottawa, Ontario. She graduated from Carleton University in 1971 with a degree in Geography, and was hired by the Federal Public Service immediately after. She had an interesting and varied career undertaking research projects, report writing, analytical studies, advisory roles, and speech writing.

Carol married Neil Thurston in 1988. Together they brought up their 3 sons – camping, cottage time, holidays, outings, and raising rambunctious dogs, were just part of their many happy memories together as a family.

Upon retirement, Carol and Neil built their dream home on a 1.5 acre property. Their beautiful backyard was adorned with multiple large trees and flowers, an extensive vegetable garden, and multiple trails that they built themselves. Visits from deer were a regular occurrence as well. They loved hosting multiple family and friend gatherings, and all the grandchildren loved visiting and playing there.

Carol and Neil travelled the world extensively. Carol had an adventurous spirit and Neil often went along reluctantly. They snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef, rode camels in Dubai, walked with the lions in Zimbabwe, and saw the sun rise at Machu Picchu.

Carol loved gardening, reading, writing, decorating, shopping, going out with friends, nature, camping in Algonquin Park, and animals, especially her treasured golden retrievers.

Carol lived her life to the fullest and people were always drawn to her. She enjoyed the gift of the gab and touched many people’s lives with her caring ways; she was extremely generous,

thoughtful, and always there to lend a hand. We will deeply miss Carol’s ability to effortlessly bring family together for fun, perfectly planned celebrations, her daily check-ins on our lives, her constant encouragement and support, her determination no matter what life brought, and her fiery, independent spirit. Mum loved her family fiercely and was so proud of all their accomplishments. She always believed in us.

Carol had many, many friends; she would like to thank Susan, Sandra, Barbara, Deb, and Margy, in addition to her many good friends at Timberwalk Retirement Community, for being there during her cancer journey. They shared several laughs and good times together.

We would also like to thank Dr. Michael Vickers, the staff at the Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre, Dr. Malhotra and the wonderful the staff at May Court Hospice, Home and Community Care Services, and the staff and medical team at Timberwalk Retirement Community.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/26/2025 - 10:08:AM

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Anne Hampel

Neil and family, I was so sorry to hear of Carol’s passing. She truly was a lovely cheerful person, I enjoyed the time I got to spend with her at work and with both of you at various functions. Tough days ahead but her spirit will always be nearby.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/26/2025 - 04:00:PM

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Neil and family, I am so…

Neil and family, I am so sorry to hear of Carol’s passing. She truly was a lovely devoted person, I enjoyed the time I got to spend with her at work. Working for you Neil at the NTA were the most enjoyable years . Tough days ahead but her spirit will always be nearby. Nicole Nadeau

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/26/2025 - 04:14:PM

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Julie Cauvier / David Gervin

Neil, we were so saddened to hear about Carol's passing. Having spent time with both of you socially and in the work place, Carol was a wonderful and caring person, bright and cheerful. She was the only person we knew who could decorate so well for any occasion, but particularly at Xmas where there was a tree adorning every room of the house. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/26/2025 - 05:53:PM

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Jerry Ciasnocha

My condolences to you Neil and your family. I was saddened to hear of Carol's passing. She was a wonderful colleague and I truly enjoyed working with Carol at the Agency.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/26/2025 - 06:54:PM

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Joan MacDonald

So sorry to hear the sad news, my deepest sympathies to you Neil and your family. I have memories of Carol at the Agency and she always seemed to have a smile and something pleasant to say.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/26/2025 - 08:27:PM

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Nicole Nadeau

Neil and family, I am so sorry to hear of Carol’s passing. She truly was a lovely person, I enjoyed the time I got to spend with her at work. Neil I enjoyed working for you at the NTA. Tough days ahead but her spirit will always be nearby.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/27/2025 - 10:06:AM

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Carol Thivierge (Phillips)

So sorry to hear that Carol has passed and moved on to the last adventure in our circle of life. She was my single best and truest friend all through high school and for many years after. Unfortunately as time went on our life choices lead us in different directions and we drifted apart but never with anger or disagreements. When I think of our high school years it is with fond memories of the many adventures we got ourselves into, some fun, some stupid and some even a little dangerous.
Although we were not in contact for most of our adult years I will remember her always. Brent I know you will miss her dearly, keep her in your heart and her memories close

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/27/2025 - 12:43:PM

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Christina Young

Sending my sincere condolences to the family on my family's & my behalf. Carol was the epitome of caring and kindness.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/28/2025 - 11:15:AM

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Shirley Lobin

I met Carol when we both attended Carleton University, studying Geography. Neither of us liked early classes, so we often chose evening ones. If we had daytime classes, we often took a break to go to my home for a nap and to play with my baby niece. She got to know my family, those in Ottawa, and those in Trinidad when she spent two weeks there at my parents' home in 1972. After I moved to Toronto in 1978, she visited me for weekends when we would go to Neil Diamond shows, and wander around the city chatting, giggling and being silly. The "being silly" part was Carol's doing, and she would always be able to draw me out of my normally more-serious nature. Most of all, Carol loved her family - especially Neil, sons, daughters-in-law, grand-babies. She was a warm and generous soul. I loved her like a sister. I miss her already. ,

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/28/2025 - 05:14:PM

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Hannelore Ernst and Andrea & Jacques Bissinger

We will always remember Carol as a good friend and neighbor. Her generous heart and kind soul made her a very special person.
Hannelore, my mom, Carol and their friend Jean celebrated their respective birthdays together for many years and had a special bond. Carol and Neil shared the same passion of feeding the deers and wildlife that we have and we often exchanged pictures and anecdotes.

We will miss her. May Neil and the family gain strength in remembering that:

"Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day" author unknown

We hope to stay in touch with Neil and have the opportunity to see him again soon.

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