Mom, aka Nana, aka Stephanie Mary Edith Alexander (née Gaudet) was the youngest of 7 children born in Tignish, Prince Edward Island, in 1929.  She is survived by her children Susan Maxwell (Drew), Michelle Bailey (Lane) and Paul Alexander (Candace) and her grandchildren Justin (Carolyn) and Jamie Bailey (Shannon), Kieran Nelligan, Katie, Lily and Annabelle Alexander, and Camryn Maxwell, great grandson and granddaughter Cole and Emma Bailey. Her siblings Irma Maclean, Albert Gaudet, Lorenda Gaudet, Alfreda Lehane, Alberta Gaudet, and Irene Gaudet predeceased her. She was loved and will be greatly missed.

Mom was a practical and kind lady who, as a young woman, followed in the footsteps of two of her older sisters completing a nursing diploma in 1952 in Charlottetown, PEI, and moved to Montreal to practice nursing for several years prior to meeting dad.  Mom and dad met when dad travelled from Manchester, England, to work in Summerside. During their courtship, they partied at the Linkletter Inn and married in 1962. They had three children and finally settled in Oakville in 1970. Mom dutifully cleaned the house, ironed shirts, made meals (most notably delicious Sunday roast beef dinners with her husband's favourite Yorkshire pudding), and baked many a chocolate cake with coins inside for birthdays. Mom endured many challenges, as happens during a long life, one of her more challenging moments came when Bill was hospitalized with tuberculosis for six months, while Susan, two at the time, and Michelle only one,  were also hospitalized for three months. Mom said she would visit every day and cry every night.

Mom dabbled in many activities, was part of the Catholic Women's League, attended weekly mass, and believed in the power of prayer for all things including health, safe travel and recovering lost items. She introduced her children to the circus, movies, plays, cross country skiing and all things PEI. Summer vacations always involved car trips to PEI and 'feeds of lobster' standing around a newspaper-laden table. Carefree days were spent at Cavendish and Brackley Beaches playing in the waves or the little rivulet that led to the ocean, eating PB & banana sandwiches, walking along the shore to collect stones and shells, wearing large ribbons of seaweed as boas around our necks and eliciting acknowledgements from small sea planes flying overhead to tip their wings and say hello, followed by a stop for an ice cream on the way home. Mom learned to play piano as a child, as did her sisters, so there were often impromptu music fests in the small "piano room" accompanied always by lots of laughter, sometimes dancing, and adult cocktailing, always gin and tonic for Mom.

Mom revelled in all the holidays and decorated the house for them. She was always a supportive sounding board and had our backs during challenges and when we needed advice. She took good care of dad always and especially when he developed dementia in his later years, waiting on him and caring for him well into her 90's. Mom moved into a seniors home a few years ago and although she did not engage in the social activities, we knew that she would make a few friends, which she did - including some of the staff, who appreciated her kind and gracious ways. Throughout her life, she was always known for her warm demeanor and pleasant smile.

Mom lived a long and full life but grew very tired these last few months and looked forward to reuniting with Dad and the rest of her family. Her prayers were answered and she passed peacefully on the night of May 12th. Thank you to Dr. Cairns and Dr. Heffernan for their exceptional care over the years, her friends, and the staff at Amica Bronte, Oakville for their care of Mom. Family will gather to celebrate Mom's life, G&T's in hand, at a later date. If desired, memorial donations can be made to Heart & Stroke Foundation or Alzheimer's Society of Ontario.