A witty way with words

What would Millie say?

Tomorrow is the second anniversary of my mother's death and I wanted to publish something in her memory.

Last year Fred and Julia and I scattered Mom's ashes (or those that aren't with Peter's in Niagara-on-the-Lake) on Lake Champlain as she had requested. We were taking Julia to McGill on a beautiful summer's day and it was a bittersweet ceremony. We couldn't help but think how much my mother would have liked to see Julia studying at the alma mater she was always so proud of.

This year, I want to remember something else that Mom valued, her ability to make people laugh. At the memorial I spoke a bit about the comic names she created for people.

My father in his racing days was George Throttleburst.

Yasser Arafat became Yasser AraBfat, a Millie classic thanks to its brilliant simplicity.

Dalton McGuinty was Dalton McGuiLty, a highly prophetic nickname as it turns out.

Sue Lea remembered Brian Baloney for Brian Mulroney. Need I say any more?

And John added Conman Black for Conrad Black, another prophetic creation.

John also remembered René LeWreck, which if I had to pick an all-time favourite would probably be it.

Many of you will also like remember Mafioso, Vampira, Idohnoh, and Little Umbilicus, which my cousin Tycho recalled was the nickname for his brother Leif.

If you can think of any names I may have missed, please add them in the comments or email them to me and I'll put them up. I've vowed to make this site a little more lively in the year to come.

I think my mother would like her writing and wit to live on on the internet, even if she'd probably yell at me for the René LeWreck photo.

Sorry, Mom, we miss you every single day, but I just couldn't resist.

Mildred and Peter 2009

Mildred Leila Brocklehurst Woods nee Greenblatt (1928 - 2011)

Mildred in the early fifties

BROCKLEHURST WOODS, Mildred (nee Greenblatt) On August 2, 2011 in Toronto, in her eighty-third year. Beloved wife for 30 years of the late Peter Michael Woods, who predeceased her on June 28, 2011. Formerly married to the late George Brocklehurst (1927 – 1985). Devoted mother, stepmother and mother-in-law of Ann Brocklehurst, George (Fred) and Judi Brocklehurst, Mark Woods and Karen Lee, Hilary Woods and John Sledziewski, Paul (Fred) and Hope Woods. Loving grandmother of Julia Brocklehurst, Lewis Brocklehurst, Victoria Fode-Woods, Sam Woods, Kate Woods and Ethan Woods. Sister of Ruth Manson, and predeceased by her brothers Mendel and Jayson Greenblatt and sister Esther Fine. Mildred will be sadly mourned and missed by her family and friends. A memorial service will be held for her and Peter in late October in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where they lived from 1998.

If you would like to know more about the memorial service for Mildred and Peter, you can contact Mildred's daughter Ann.

Please feel free to add a comment if you knew Mildred and would like to post a remembrance or voice your sympathies.

Peter Michael Woods (1935 - 2011)

Peter's family is planning a memorial service to take place in Niagara on the Lake in October.

Memorial Celebration: October 22, 2011

It's official, Saturday October 22, 2011 starting at 3PM at St. Marks Niagara-on-the-Lake. More details to come.

Mildred's articles in Punch

My mother was always very proud of having been published in Punch, a major accomplishment that recognized her sharp wit. I've posted the articles she saved so that you can see how well they hold up after almost 50 years.

To Dye or Not to Dye Mildred Brocklehurst Punch November 22 1961

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Parent Teacher Associations Mildred Brocklehurst Punch September 12 1962 p1

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Parent Teacher Associations Mildred Brocklehurst Punch September 12 1962

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Enough to Drive One...MIldred Brocklehurst Punch December 19 1962 p.1

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Enough to Drive One...MIldred Brocklehurst Punch December 19 1962 p.2

Click here to enlarge.Awaiting Liberation by Mildred Brocklehurst Punch August 21, 1963

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More memories to come

I and other members of the family will be posting more over the coming days, weeks and months. If you'd like to add a memory, just drop us a line. We'd love to hear from you.