Obituary for Salme Kaarina Simi
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Salme Kaarina Simi (Mummu) at the age of 87 at TBRHSC on Saturday Nov 12, 2022.
Born on Jan 1, 1935 in Finland, Salme was the 6th born in a family of 8 children.
In her early years, Salme achieved her goal of becoming a professional seamstress attending sewing school and fashion design school. She opened her own clothing boutique in Pori before uprooting and relocating to Port Arthur in 1966. Once in Canada, Salme worked as a seamstress at McNulty’s where she earned a great reputation and learned English. Later, she once again branched out on her own and opened her own stores, the last being Salme’s Boutique, a high-end clothing store in downtown Port Arthur, which she operated for several years before retiring in 1995. Salme would custom tailor every piece of clothing to fit her customers perfectly. She always had a keen eye for the best quality, attention to detail and high fashion.
In later years, Salme was known to many as Mummu and was the kind of woman you couldn’t slow down; she loved to make beautiful things. Mummu had an amazing green thumb, was an absolute wizard with her knitting, crocheting and could literally sew anything – you simply needed to draw out your idea and head to Fabricland with her to choose the material. If she wasn’t cooking or creating something for her family, you could find her redecorating her home, spoiling her grandkids or keeping up to date on matters of world news, politics, or the latest hockey game, curling match or Formula One races.
Mummu was a soft-spoken woman, but a woman of much gusto - not to be underestimated. She was the family glue, the one who kept everyone on their toes. She was a woman of very high standards, unrelenting work ethic, drive, ambition and determination. In everything she did, she exemplified SISU.
Mummu loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren voraciously.
She was predeceased by her parents, all but 1 sibling in Finland, her son Harry Pantsar in 2021, as well as several good friends.
She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Sirpa (Howard) Huhta, Nancy (Paul) Hudyma, grandchildren Kai (Jen) Huhta, Kerry Bishop, Alex (Erik) Hudyma, Casey (Derek) Hudyma, Liisa Pantsar and great grandchildren Lily, Mika and Mina.
Cremation has taken place, and a private family celebration of life will be held at a later date to honour our beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother.
We would like to thank the staff at Jasper place for the connections they made with Mummu, stories they shared and for all they did to help and support her every day.
Should you wish, online condolences can be posted at www.sargentandson.com.
We would also encourage donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Born on Jan 1, 1935 in Finland, Salme was the 6th born in a family of 8 children.
In her early years, Salme achieved her goal of becoming a professional seamstress attending sewing school and fashion design school. She opened her own clothing boutique in Pori before uprooting and relocating to Port Arthur in 1966. Once in Canada, Salme worked as a seamstress at McNulty’s where she earned a great reputation and learned English. Later, she once again branched out on her own and opened her own stores, the last being Salme’s Boutique, a high-end clothing store in downtown Port Arthur, which she operated for several years before retiring in 1995. Salme would custom tailor every piece of clothing to fit her customers perfectly. She always had a keen eye for the best quality, attention to detail and high fashion.
In later years, Salme was known to many as Mummu and was the kind of woman you couldn’t slow down; she loved to make beautiful things. Mummu had an amazing green thumb, was an absolute wizard with her knitting, crocheting and could literally sew anything – you simply needed to draw out your idea and head to Fabricland with her to choose the material. If she wasn’t cooking or creating something for her family, you could find her redecorating her home, spoiling her grandkids or keeping up to date on matters of world news, politics, or the latest hockey game, curling match or Formula One races.
Mummu was a soft-spoken woman, but a woman of much gusto - not to be underestimated. She was the family glue, the one who kept everyone on their toes. She was a woman of very high standards, unrelenting work ethic, drive, ambition and determination. In everything she did, she exemplified SISU.
Mummu loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren voraciously.
She was predeceased by her parents, all but 1 sibling in Finland, her son Harry Pantsar in 2021, as well as several good friends.
She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Sirpa (Howard) Huhta, Nancy (Paul) Hudyma, grandchildren Kai (Jen) Huhta, Kerry Bishop, Alex (Erik) Hudyma, Casey (Derek) Hudyma, Liisa Pantsar and great grandchildren Lily, Mika and Mina.
Cremation has taken place, and a private family celebration of life will be held at a later date to honour our beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother.
We would like to thank the staff at Jasper place for the connections they made with Mummu, stories they shared and for all they did to help and support her every day.
Should you wish, online condolences can be posted at www.sargentandson.com.
We would also encourage donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.