Livestream of the late Morella Lay

Celebrating the Life of Morella Lay (née Gibson)

March 18, 1932 – January 19, 2025

With hearts full of love and gratitude, we celebrate the remarkable life of Morella (Gibson) Lay, who passed away peacefully in her sleep, on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at the age of 92. Born on March 18, 1932, in St. Lucia, Morella's life journey was filled with love, determination, resilience and boundless strength. In 1977, Morella immigrated to Canada, joining her brother and his family in Port Credit (Mississauga), and spent the next fifty years building a life for herself and her family with all that Canada had to offer. Finally, she spent the last three months of her life at Trafalgar Lodge Retirement Home in Oakville, where she found comfort, friendship and peace with the staff and residents. Morella modelled determination, strength, commitment and dedication to her family and in her work in the Medical Records Department at Sunnybrook Hospital. She was a devout Catholic, and shared her belief that, "all you need to do is talk to the Lord and you would never have to worry about anything". A passionate fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and an ardent follower of tennis, Morella's enthusiasm for sports could be heard, as she loudly and enthusiastically cheered on her favourite team or tennis player.

Morella is predeceased by her parents, Samuel and Unita Gibson of Hospital Road, St. Lucia. She leaves behind her brother Hughes (Moc) Gibson (Linda), and her sister Marlin Osman. Morella's children, Ronnie Lay, Cheryll Lay, Bevy Fletcher, Jeni Lay, Fleur Lay, Terry Lay (Maureen), and Jasmin Charles (Wayne), have a lifetime of treasured memories that they will forever hold within their hearts. Her eleven grandchildren, Kaitlan, Cheryl, Kaela (Arthur), Kalum, Kyle, Brianne, Chelsea, Jordan, Ashley (Antonio), Sydney and Brandon, cherish their Grandma's longevity that enabled them to accumulate memories that spanned from their childhood into their adult lives. She had the pleasure of meeting and knowing most of her great grandchildren, Eilish, Kieran, Hudson, Brooke, Kaejah, Jahari, Amayah, Anyah, Avah, Alyssah, Asaiah in person and during regular Facetime calls. Morella will be missed by her nephew, Wally Gibson and niece, Eliza Gibson-Simon (Sean), as well as their families (Brandon) and (Tristan, Jordan, Naomi). Morella, will also be missed by Sylvester Joseph (Velma) and family (Yan, Darryl) of Calgary, Alberta.

She impacted many people during her lifetime and has a wealth of longlasting friendships in St. Lucia, Canada and other countries around the world. Morella will be thoroughly missed and her dedication, strength, love, friendship, storytelling and feisty nature, will forever remain in the memories and hearts of her family and friends. Rest peacefully Morella, Mama, Aunty, Grandma, Great Grandma, Mrs. Lay and friend.

In Lieu of flowers Memorial donations in memory of Morella Lay, may be made to Trillium Health Partners (THP), Credit Valley Hospital .

A funeral mass will be held at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Parish, Oakville on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 1pm