Obituary of Greta Lydia Pulford (nee Haberer)

Greta Lydia Pulford,  nee Haberer

Born June 24, 1923 in Zurich ON –  Died August 18, 2017 in London ON

In the dawn hours of Friday, August 18, at Earl’s Court Village Nursing Home in London, Greta Pulford gently slipped her earthly bonds while asleep in her bed. Having recently passed her 94th birthday, Mrs. Pulford, who valued a life lived with manners, dignity and grace, was blessed to have spent her final years free of the pain and distress that old age can so often inflict.

If her faith has been rewarded, she is now reunited with husband Charles, her sisters Arlene and Arvis, mother and father, Ferdinand and Alice, and too many bridge partners to name.

Her two sons, Brent (pride) and Geoffrey (joy), grateful for the years “Mom” was a vital part of their lives, happily devoted time and service to her when she was no longer capable. Geoff’s wife, Roseanne, was especially treasured for not so secretly becoming the daughter [in-law] Greta had always longed for. She thrilled at having a girl in the family with whom she could share her passion for interior decorating, collecting artifacts, objets d’art and shopping for those things uniquely attractive to the both of them. Even as her faculties began to fail her, it was Roseanne whose eyes and ears she depended on most.

Grandsons Andrew, Christopher and John, all grown young men with lives of their own now, will miss their Nana, who cherished the holidays when the entire family gathered to celebrate and share in one another’s company.

From her humble birth in Zurich to her last days at Earl’s Court, Greta lived a long and successful life. Yet success, as she’d oft remind, was never something to be measured. The greatest rewards were bestowed when a commitment was honoured, when a curiousity was satisfied, when a friend - like a promise - was made and kept.

The family extends its gratitude to the entire staff at Earl’s Court Village and to family and friends who’ve shared fond memories and condolences. There will not be a funeral. At a later date at Woodland Cemetery in London a commemorative plaque will be erected next to that of her late husband, Charles, then her ashes will be scattered. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Greta’s favourite charity, Covenant House, Toronto.