Verla Anne (Nelson) Edwards

On September 7, 2023, in her 87th year, Verla peacefully drew her last breath, in her home with the care of family and friends. She will be dearly missed by her children, Nelson (Janice), Jeffrey (Joanne) and Kristen; grandchildren, Dylan, and Cassandra (Martin), and great grandchildren, Harrison and Mackenzie, as well as many special nieces and nephews she held dear to her heart. She deeply missed her beloved husband, Douglas Fullerton Edwards, who died in 2013.

Born August 27, 1937, in Redvers Saskatchewan, to Margaret (MacKechnie) and Ernest Randolph Nelson, she was the youngest of six children: Elvira (Gerry); Viola (Bill), Ralph (Helen), Gerald “Jake” (Delores), and Florence (Ernie). After Verla was born, Margaret and Randolph made the decision to move their young family, leaving the prairie Dustbowl, settling into a new, loving and happy home in Belleville Ontario.

As a young adult, Verla moved from Belleville Ontario to Ottawa where she met, and married the love of her life, Douglas. Together for over 55 years they transformed a small house on a large lot into a family home and flourishing garden that became a natural gathering place for family and friends as well as international students from around the world.

Doug and Verla loved travel, and in their travels, sought out opportunities for adventures and seeing friends both new and old along the way. Verla continued her passion for travel even after Doug’s death, often on her own or in the company of family. This past winter, even with a late diagnosis of cancer, she organized a major trip to South Africa, including a cross continental family reunion, with her family in tow.

Her family and friends are feeling the immense loss of such a formidable woman and matriarch of the family. As her granddaughter, Cassandra, so clearly noted: “She was fierce, stubborn, adventurous, loving, caring accepting, selfless, and man, oh man, did she have stories to tell. Her love of family was so profound”. In this tribute, she seems to capture what we all know and feel.

As per her wishes, and in lieu of a funeral service, a celebration of life will be announced at a later date, and following that, the family will gather for a private interment in Escuminac, Québec.

In lieu of flowers, consider supporting the Ottawa Hospital Foundation – cancer research.