MAISIE MONICA HARDER (SMITH)

Condolences & Memories (18 entries)

• Our hearts are saddened to hear of the loss of Aunt Sissy. We have been praying for the members of her immediate family that God will comfort and strengthen each one during these difficult days since her sudden passing. God bless each of you. Beverley for the Hyatt Family - Posted by: Beverley Hyatt-Allen (cousin) on: Feb 19, 2013

• Sissy, you will always be lovingly remembered. May you eternally rest in peace. - Posted by: Molly Gutzmore (Former Sister in Law) on: Feb 17, 2013

• Monica is the rising Sun; Though this is a mild comparison. Monica is the chosen one who’s work will never be truly done. Ablaze with her essence we will survive; Continuing to work, and strive, and thrive! When fearing the things you cannot do remember that Monica is guiding you Through our lives her hand is still dealt every day; And I hope that her luck one day pays! My Grandma was small, yet held all in her thrall, every occasion to her life’s next black tie ball Throughout life her grace will shine on the face of every surface upon which we rest our gaze. Although I am pained a new family I have gained. Old friends through the pain, I give you my thanks for the warmth of your embrace, and the smile on your face Remember your Sissy, at the table is she sitting, once again there for dinner ever eager to twitter. She will hear your questions, she will help plot your course, just remember to keep asking her . . . Forget? We cannot - Posted by: Kelly (Grand-daughter) on: Feb 17, 2013

• Its so hard to believe that my dearest big sister is gone....she was my sister,my second mother, my friend....she was always with me when i needed someone.....we had so much fun growing up..even though she was a bit older than me,i can even now feel the love I know she feels for me still...I will always be with you my dearest sister....farewell my sweet sister....and flights of angels speed you to your rest....All my love...your little brother...Errol - Posted by: Errol Smith (Brother) on: Feb 16, 2013

• My dearest A/Sissy, as I write this message, the preparations are in place for a celebratory service to honour your productive and rewarding life. I only wish it could have been longer than 80 years and seven months; but the Lord who is the Master of all knows best. Never for us to question, human as it is to do so but I thank our Almighty Father for every moment that I had with you from the day you laid eyes on me when I was just about one year old to when we were last together, just before Christmas. Little did I know that our hug around 4:00 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012 was going to be our last one. If I had received just even a whisper of this, I would never have let you go. You have known me for more than half of your life and all of mine up to this point. I don't know how I will go on. I miss you A/Sissy. I still don't believe that you are gone. There is funeral service about to begin and while I am not there in body, I am with you in so many ways. You will always be in my heart A/Sissy. That is not something that anyone can take from me as I treasure every wonderful memory of the beautiful times we shared. Farewell, A/Sissy, farewell from this world from which you are departed. I will always remember you as my "mother", mentor, best friend, confidante, comforter, first teacher, great listener and compassionate and loving advocate. I love you A/Sissy and that will not change, regardless of the season. Sleep on my precious A/Sissy. May you forever rest in peace as His will be done. Always yours, Beth - Posted by: Elizabeth Smith ((Paternal) Niece, first born of the next generation in A/Sissy's lineage) on: Feb 16, 2013

• I was a former student of Mrs. Harder, attending the Fort Rouge nursery program and developed a personal relationship with her and our families over the next several years. She was my first memory of a teacher, who always stood tall and was proud of who she was and taught all of us to demonstrate strength and curiosity. She supported me always with encouragement through post secondary education and my career. She will be remembered for her loyalty and strength of character. She was a good friend to my parents and will always be remembered by the McDowells. May God bless and keep her as she goes to the reward we all seek in the end. - Posted by: C. Anita J. McDowell (former student and friend) on: Feb 12, 2013

• My dear friend Maisie Monica Harder has departed. I miss you Monica. Very much. Always will. Monica and I met sometime in 1945 when we both won scholarships to Cathedral High School in Spanish Town, Jamaica. We were unalike in a few ways. Monica was small, quiet, soft-spoken, studious and lady-like with no taste for sports. I had a real flair for sports, but we became friends. We were members of the Cathedral church in Spanish Town. One of the things we shared and enjoyed doing on Saturdays with her brother Roy (now Canon Ralston Smith) and others was polishing the Altar silverware in readiness for services on Sundays. In 1950 after clearing Senior Cambridge hurdles we parted company. I started my nursing career and Monica started her Education career. She left Jamaica for the Montessori Training College in England. On completing her course she returned to Jamaica and became the head of the Kindergarten Department at our Alma Mater. From there she went to Kenya, East Africa and taught in an English school there. After leaving Kenya, she went to Canada and continued her career in Winnipeg. It was there that she met John Harder an officer in the Canadian Immigration Department. They got married and were happy together. Monica was talented. She joined the University Women's Club of Winnipeg. In 2008, she was asked to write a poem to commemorate the Women's Club Centennial. She did it and some club members requested autographed copies. An enlarged copy hangs in the club's reception hall. John pre-deceased Monica. And Monica has now departed. I am so proud of you Monica! Rest in peace. Much love--Joye - Posted by: Joye Buchanan Wint (High School Friend) on: Feb 11, 2013

• Monica was a friend and colleague of Kay's at Fort Rouge School for many years. She was a remarkable teacher and a very gracious lady whose friendship we valued. After retirememnt Monica lived a full life and was an active participant in many organizations where we frequently met. She was a joy to be around and we will miss her greatly. - Posted by: Kay and John lLehr (Friend and collegue ) on: Feb 10, 2013

• Monica was a delight to work with. Always willing to help in any way. She will be missed. - Posted by: Betty Brownlee (a friend from the RWTA) on: Feb 09, 2013

• We stand amazed and wonder why? Why Yahweh did not answer our prayers according to our will? But Yahweh had looked the wide world over in his search for Teachers true and from the throngs that crowd life's lanes he has selected Monica to teach his little angels who were massacred in the Sandy Nook Elementary School, Connecticut of his tender, loving kindness and compassion to humanity so he chose her (Monica taught Kindergarten here on earth). SISSY, no matter where our paths may wind, those childhood days we left behind are with me in my heart and mind as I remember you. Sisters forever on Earth; Sisters forever in ETERNITY. Shalom,haveri. - Posted by: Madge Smith-Gross (Sister) on: Feb 06, 2013

• Very sad to hear of her passing. She was my siblings and my nursery teacher at Fort Rouge School. I will always remember when I was in nursery she taught us how to eat with manners. During snack time I would take a bite and have to put my hands on my lap to finish chewing my food. She will be missed! Thank Mr.Harder for celebrating my University graduation/2008 with my family and I. You are a wonderful lady! xoxoxo - Posted by: Sherise N (Former Student - Nursery/Kin) on: Feb 02, 2013

• Thank you Mrs. Harder for teaching my sisters Raeleen, Sherise and me. Mrs. Harder taught me at Fort Rouge School in 1979. I always remembered when you came to my locker where I was sitting and you asking me to come and join the class. Our condolences to your friends and family. My mom Lorraine is sorry for missing the lunch date, but we will meet another time. God Bless. - Posted by: Darryl Nepinak (Student Nursery) on: Jan 28, 2013

• Monica was a friend, a classy lady and a poet who contributed several significant poems to the University Women's Club. She was a hard worker and always did her part and more. We will miss her! - Posted by: Helen Norrie (a friend from the University Women's Club) on: Jan 28, 2013

• Monica will be greatly missed at Ralph Connor House. She contributed so much of her time and talents to our activities. My husband and I will miss enjoying with her--her varied selection of restaurants all over town 8 times a year with the Out To Lunch Bunch! God Bless. - Posted by: Muriel Aboul-Atta (friend and fellow member of the University Women's Club of Winnipeg) on: Jan 28, 2013

• Monica was one of the finest ladies I have known. She was amazingly proper and at the same time down-to-earth, pleasant and accepting. I admired her her quest for research and history on her homeland of Jamaica. I sincerely hope that the family will gather up all of her writings and publish a book in her memory. She amassed some interesting and revealing facts on Jamaica. I know that she has found peace with her God. May "the God of comfort" be with her family, close friends and close fellow teachers. - Posted by: Carmen Nembhardt (Friend) on: Jan 27, 2013

• We were so very saddened to hear of Monica's sudden passing. She was a good friend to my mother, Emma Norris and a cherished teacher to my children Greg (Texas) and Andria (Minnesota). I admired her grace and intellect as well as her inward and outward beauty. We shall miss her bubbling spirit. She now rests with God's perfect peace. - Posted by: Dr. Carla Norris-Raynbird (friend) on: Jan 27, 2013

• Our Dear Lady has left us, albeit for a far better place, she, none-the-less, has left us. She was not only my Mother-in-Law, she was my FRIEND. As the words of a song say: "This is not good-bye or the end Let me tell you my friend I'll keep you forever in my heart Till I see you again Till then remember this is not good-bye". I love you Monica; sleep well Beautiful Lady in the Arms of Jesus - Posted by: Sonia Harder (Daughter-in-Law) on: Jan 26, 2013

• Grandma... Monica is polished to perfection; the most precious of all gems. Monica is everything I have never been. Rough around the edges, she loved me just the same; I don’t know who I would have been, if she didn't have my name. Monica is gone now, and a gaping hole remains. Grandma I love you, and though we've said goodbye I know you will be watching me from the endless sky. Thank you for the lesson, Thank you for the love, Thank you for cherishing me, Regardless of my blood. I love you and miss you and wish you nothing but peace. Though you lay peacefully sleeping, I know you are awake, running around in heaven peeking in on all of us.. Make sure you don't trip on the clouds in your new pair of golden high heel. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo - Posted by: Kelly (Granddaughter) on: Jan 26, 2013