Obituary of Lily June Mockler
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Lily June Mockler of Fredericton, NB who died on April 20, 2020 at York Care Centre. Lily was born on June 16, 1927 in Danbury, Connecticut.
She is survived by her children, Martin (Tracey Curtis), Jeffrey (Linda Ennis), and Karen Hammel (Karl) all of Fredericton; granddaughters, Alexandra Mockler of Whistler, BC and Brittany Mockler of Fredericton; grandsons, Charles Hammel and Christopher Hammel of Fredericton; sisters, Emily DeMerchant of Perth-Andover, Lucy Smith of ON; sisters-in-law, Rena Mockler and Doris Mockler of Fredericton; brothers-in-law, Alvin "Doug" Mockler (Evelyn) of Fredericton, Allison Mockler (Bonnie) of Oromocto, NB and Hubert Mockler (Trudy) of Toronto; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Lil was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Gladys (Loose) Tatlock; her husband of 54 years, Thomas Roland "Roly" Mockler; sister, Betty Dewitt; brothers-in-law, Henry DeWitt, George DeMerchant, Jim Smith, Weldon Mockler, Henry LeBlanc, Wilton Knox, Lynwood Mockler, Eugene "Pete" Mockler, Jim Hanson and Pete Woodland; sisters-in-law, Muriel Hanson, Berdina LeBlanc, Dorothy Mockler, Elwina Knox and Gretchen Woodland.
Lil grew up in Perth Andover, the eldest of four daughters. After finishing high school, she began working as a switchboard operator with NBTel in Andover. Lil married her high school sweetheart Roly in 1947, and in 1962 they opened the Oromocto drive-in theatre, a popular business where the family relied on Lil's good sense and strong math skills to do the books.
Lil and Roly were known to many in the curling community, competing together in mixed bonspiels across the province. They launched the Mockler Memorial Curling Bonspiel in Perth Andover in 1978, which became a yearly get together for many New Brunswick and Maine curlers.
When Lil became a grandmother, she embraced the role wholeheartedly. Many hours were spent doing crafts, baking (including Lil’s famous chocolate chip cookies), and watching the Toronto Blue Jays in the summer. Lil’s greatest talent may have been her ability to take a simple roll of fabric and turn it into something spectacular. An avid seamstress and knitter, Lil was always darning socks, sewing clothes for her grandchildren, or creating bags to help raise awareness of Autism, an issue close to her heart.
Anyone who knew Lil knew that while she often came across as a bit of a loveable curmudgeon, her heart was warm and always in the right place. Lil will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.
The family would like to thank all the staff at York Care Centre for the excellent care they provided Mom for the last three years.
By Lil's request there will be no visitation or funeral service. A private interment for Lil and Roly will be held at a later date in Perth-Andover. Expressions of condolence can be made through a donation to Adult Drop in at Opal Family Services, or to a charitable organization of your choice.