March 7, 1941 - January 26, 2022
We are heartbroken to announce the gentle passing of our cherished Mom, Sallie who passed away at the Thessalon Hospital at the age of 80.
We are certain she has joined our father, Milton, (2014) and together, they are dancing away to Neil Young’s, Harvest Moon.
Sallie was the proud and fiercely devoted mother of Todd (Cherie) and Brooke (Norm Grose), and the loving Grammie of Alexis Allen, and William and Ty Showan. She loved and considered Suzie Carlson (John), Larry Doherty (Kris), Donny Veinot (Gayle), and Bunker Boyer (Kelly) as she did her own children.
Sister-in-Law of the late Ted, Gerald Wayne, Ronny and Terry Showan, and special Auntie of Marianne, Lisa, Pam, Chance, Christina and Mariah.
Sal was blessed with many wonderful and meaningful friendships. We think of Jean Edwards, Barbara Ankersmit, Irma MacKinnon, Christel Brandt. Marilyn and Nolan Delhenty, Carl and Lynn Bell, Marilyn MacLean, and Bryan Watt. Gabrielle Boyer, Connie Valiquette, Marion Boyer, Edith and John Zack, Gwen MacKinnon, and so many others. These relationships were important to her, and contributed greatly to the development of our core family values. We thank you for being a part of her life, and ours.
Sallie was born an only child to Bill and Elsie Smith in Avon Lake, Ohio. After purchasing the Outpost Lodge on Jobammageeshig Lake in 1959, the family moved from Ohio to the Thessalon area, and soon after, she met Milt Showan. They married in 1961 and raised their family in Thessalon and Spanish.
She worked at the Algoma Manor, Township of the North Shore, and eventually retired from the Bank of Nova Scotia. She and Milt also built and operated the Spanish General Store for many years. She loved living in Spanish, with its friendly people and endless opportunities for fishing and boating.
An avid and extremely knowledgeable “boat nerd”, Sallie fervently followed the Great Lakes Freighters, keeping a close eye on the Lower Lakes Towing Ltd. fleet, and Captain John Carlson.
Sallie was a lifelong pet owner, and enthusiastic birder. She and Milt enjoyed traveling throughout Northern Ontario, the East Coast and Texas. She was known for her hospitality and her door was open to anyone in need. The coffee was on, the lunch was always ready, and she welcomed everyone.
Our family owes a debt of gratitude to everyone who cared for our mother. To Dr. Roger Larochelle, thank you for your devotion during her time in Spanish and for your ongoing friendship and support. To Dr. Chad Workman, Dr. Kathleen Murphy, Dr. Mary Shamas, and Dr. Matthew Naccarato as well as the nurses, PSW’s, housekeepers, and kitchen staff at Blind River Hospital, thank you for the excellent care given to our mother. To the EMS Paramedics, Dr. Kirk Johns and nurses Jennifer Foster, Rayanne White and Sarah Rowlinson, thank you for going above and beyond when she was in her final hours. You are all a credit to your professions. To our family and friends who reached out with expressions of love and support, we thank you for your kind thoughts. And to our trusted friends and colleagues Merl Lawrence and Sara Theodorson thank you for being by our side without hesitation, in our time of need.
In the summer when it is warm, we will host a gathering to celebrate the life of our wonderful mother, grandmother, auntie and friend. All will be welcomed.
In lieu of donations, please consider a random act of kindness. In ode to Sallie, make somebody a sandwich. Put a lunch on.
“Sweet Sal”, as she was affectionately known, touched and impacted the lives of many with her subtle, and modest persona. She showed grace, class, strength and decorum throughout her life, quietly leading by example and demonstrating life lessons that were well learned and deeply appreciated. We will forever cherish our memories and honour her legacy.