Pansy H. Splane

Today, sadly, we announce the passing of our mother, Pansy Helena Splane (nee Dowdall) on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 in her 100th year.

Mom leaves behind her two “girls” Judith Delhey (Peter) of North Gower and Janice Splane (Craig Robertson) of Carleton Place as well as nieces, Beverly Love and Marjorie Holbein, both of Arnprior.

Predeceased by husband Victor A., parents, Thomas and Matilda Dowdall, sisters, Emily Churchill and Roberta Rogers and brother Enis.

Pansy was born in Carleton Place, on March 16th, 1925 and lived with her family on Lanark Street. She attended the Victoria Street Public School and later graduated from CPHS. When the Bell telephone company opened an office in Carleton Place, mother became one of the first five telephone operators in town, and along with her coworkers became one of the “Bell girls”. A title she was very proud of. She was the last surviving “Bell girl”.

Pansy married husband Victor in 1947 in Carleton Place where after the births of two girls, they remained until 1959.

That year the family moved to Washington DC, where both Pansy and Victor were employed by the Canadian Government. The second government posting took the family to Lisbon, Portugal from April 1964 to September 1967.

Upon the family’s return to Carleton Place, Pansy secured a position in the payroll department of the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital until her retirement in 1990.

Mother then enjoyed several years of traveling with friends or her “girls”, gardening, and attending a large variety of local events. She was a long-time member of the Senior Citizens Club, The Walking Club and volunteered at the “As Good as New” thrift store until her 90th birthday.

The Terrace became acquainted with Pansy when she moved into the wonderful facility in May 2021. She was soon entertaining the staff with her “walker dancing”, “Tales of Old”, “Pansyisms”, and words of wisdom, right up until she had to leave us.

So, thank you and bless you for being our mom, Pansy.

Funeral service will be held at Barker Funeral Home in the chapel, 19 McArthur Avenue, Carleton Place, on Saturday October 5th at 11:00 a.m., followed by an inurnment at United Cemeteries.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital foundation would be appreciated by the family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Pansy H. Splane, please visit our floral store.