Agnes Lauwereys

September 21, 2015

Agnes Mary Lauwereys, a resident of Wallaceburg, passed away Monday, September 21, 2015, at C.K.H.A. in Chatham at the age of 91. Born in 1924 in Glasgow, Scotland, daughter of the late John and Nancy Stewart and sister to the late John Harrity of Australia. Warbride of the late Casey Lauwereys. Dear mother and mother-in-law to John (Rose), Angela DeBlaere (Jim), Charlie (Betty), Lee Janisse (John) and Heather Fitzpatrick (Kevin). Loving grandmother of Dona, Brandi (Pat), Christy, (late) Rena (Richard), Dan, Jeff, Kim (Eric), Kelly (Steve), Tracy (Jay), Barry(Nicole), Casey (Lucky), Spencer (Emma), Chase (Katie), Connor and Broderick. Great grandmother to Dylan, Mitchell, Grayson, Nash, Collins and Weston. In Glasgow during WWII, threatened by falling bombs, strict rationing and nightly blackouts, Agnes found love in a young Canadian soldier. After tearful goodbyes to her family, she embarked on a long journey by ship and train to join Casey in her new country. The home sickness and culture shock of this new country was softened by a love that spanned more than six decades. They were separated in 2008 when Casey passed away. The family will receive family and friends at the Haycock-Cavanagh Funeral Home, 409 Nelson Street in Wallaceburg on Friday, September 25 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The funeral service will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church, 251 Duncan Street, Wallaceburg on Saturday, September 26 at 10 AM. Interment in Riverview Cemetery, Wallaceburg. As an expression of sympathy, donations to Knox Presbyterian Church may be left at the funeral home. Online tributes may be left at www.CavanaghFuneralHome.ca Agnes' Story.... Harrity by birth, Stewart by heart. Agnes Mary Barr Harrity was born in Glasgow, Scotland on July 8, 1924, and baby sister to 13 month old John, daughter to John and Jane Harrity. At the age of 4 years, her mother died of tuberculosis. Agnes was unofficially adopted by her mother's brother and wife, John and Nancy Stewart, calling the sweet little girl Nancy. Hence the two names you may have heard, Agnes and Nancy. The Stewarts were very kind and overjoyed to have a daughter to call their own. John, her brother, stayed with their father until their father's untimely death, 21 months later in 1930. John was raised by the Harrity side of the family. The Harrity's and Stewart's did not mingle. Agnes was raised as an only child, not knowing she had a brother until age 13. While living in Glasgow, Agnes worked in a candy factory (she did like her candies), delivering mail; having to trek 2 or 3 flights of stairs daily for delivery in the tenements, and during WWII, assembling gas masks. During the war years of 1939-45, Agnes remembered being waken in the night to take cover in the bomb shelters. Glasgow was never directly bombed, but suffered along with the rest of Europe with food rationing and the troubles of war. This horrific war did have a bright side, a young Canadian lad named Casey who was serving his country in occupied Europe. While on leave in England with another soldier, Casey decided he was not going to give up his bar stool to another chap who wanted it. Casey didn't stay too long after this encounter, leaving the pub with a black eye. He and his friend asked a bobby where there was a good place to go while on leave. "Go to Glasgow, boys" was the answer. Agnes and a friend were window shopping in Glasgow and along came two young Canadian soldiers. Unknown to Agnes, Casey laid claimed to the “short one”. After returning to war in occupied Europe, letters were exchanged and Casey returned to Glasgow on December 24, 1945 for their wedding. John, Agnes's only brother and sibling was present. Their wedding cake was actually meant for another wedding that never took place. Because everything was in short supply, it was a welcome contribution. Casey returned to Canada in March of 1946. In August, Agnes left everything and everyone behind to follow the man she loved. And so begins their story...... We salute a remarkable Mom who, for love and an uncertain future, left her home to be with her husband in a new unfamiliar country. The transition from city living to, well, no indoor plumbing and unfamiliar English words and phrases in the small town of Wallaceburg, was no small feat. Mom has always spoken nostalgically of Scotland. Riding the tram cars, holidays with her Mum and Dad, shopping with her Mum and friends. Although Scotland was the place of her birth, Canada became home. Casey and Agnes did save enough money to visit her faraway birthplace in 1958. Agnes sacrificed this trip to Scotland to instead build a new home for her family. Agnes’ Mum and Dad passed away before she was able to return to her birthplace. Contact with her brother John was lost until a letter arrived to Casey and Agnes’ old address on Forhan Street in the late 70's. John and his wife, Gaye visited Canada shortly thereafter, a highlight in Casey and Agnes's life. Agnes, Casey, bother in law Pete, and his wife Barb traveled to Australia in 1980 to visit John and his family. Agnes and Casey did eventually return to Glasgow three times in the later part of their marriage. After Casey’s passing in 2008, Agnes continued to reside at 49 Pine Drive, her home of 50 years but did spend winters at the Wallaceburg Sydenham Residence. Failing health and age was the determining factor in the children’s decision to move their Mom full time to the residence, a decision Agnes was always mindful of, never to be forgotten! Agnes’s strength and courage, coupled with a loving husband, provided her family of five children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with a wonderful life and precious memories. What a blessing to have such a wonderful legacy to always love and cherish.