Three Crones

When my husband and I were first dating, he went out to dinner with his grandmother and two of her friends. I remember him coming over after and telling me about these amazing women. "You will love them," he said and I did.

It's hard to capture the Friday nights we spent with these powerful crones - the ribald tales, dirty limericks, and too many glasses of wine. These women had traveled the world, experienced life to the fullest, and broke down barriers for generations of women to come. Marj and Jan became doctors in an age before second wave feminism. Marj graduated third in her class, as a Doctor of Medicine, at U of T in 1955. Jan graduated from the same university a year later. They met Nita while she was working in the Pathology department at Princess Margaret Hospital. Nita, Joe's grandmother, is not what one would expect from a granny - she has tattoos on her hands from her days serving in the Navy during WWII. None of these women lead an ordinary life.

I am immensely grateful for our short time together.

Nita spends her days in a nursing home, feeling ever more isolated from the world as the ravages of hearing loss and dementia take their toll. Marj and Jan are both gone. All three are sorely missed. Blessed be.


This is the notice that ran in the Toronto Star:
PLATTS, Dr. Marjorie Eleanor
Suddenly at her home in Toronto on Saturday, October 25, 2008, in her 79th year. Beloved cousin of Thomas Platts (Gladys) of Jordan Station, ON, James (Betty) Platts of Chicago, IL Dick (Betsy) Platts of Vineland Station, ON, Ronald (Irene) Moyer of Toronto and Olive Reinhardt of Grimsby, ON. Predeceased by her parents Lena and Thomas Platts of Grimsby and brother Kenneth of Marathon. Marjorie was born in Timmins, ON, on May 27, 1930. She attended the University of Toronto, a brilliant student, she graduated 3rd in her class with a Doctorate of Medicine in 1955. She pursued postgraduate studies in England and Stanford University in California obtaining a postgraduate degree in Pathology and Neuropathology. Marjorie was on staff at the Wellesley and Princess Margaret Hospitals for many years. An avid world traveller, Marjorie also loved to play golf. Family and friends will sadly miss her. Cremation has taken place. Urn burial to take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Queen's Lawn Cemetery, Grimsby. If desired, expressions of sympathy to the S.P.C.A. or World Wildlife Fund Canada would be sincerely appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to STONEHOUSE-WHITCOMB Funeral Home, Grimsby (

905-945-2755).