Alayne Louellen Duke
Alayne Louellen Duke(nee Staniforth) passed peacefully at home, with family by her side, our dearly loved Alayne, Mom, and Granny, passed away on August 11th, 2018.
Born in Ottawa on August 15th, 1945, eldest daughter of the late Phyllis (Starck) and Alan Staniforth, Alayne was big sister to Carolyn and Pamela. She always spoke fondly of her childhood on Davidson Drive in Rothwell Heights, with their pet dog Cindy, family camping trips to Algonquin Park, and playing with her sisters.
In Grade 13 she was Head Girl at Rideau High School, where she met her future husband, Robert Duke. Alayne later worked as a Medical Record Librarian, and after she and Robert married in 1966, they moved to Vancouver, where Dad completed Medical School. In short succession, Stephen, Kathryn and Kevin were born, as the family crossed the country for Robert’s training in Neurology, from Montreal, back to BC. Ultimately settling in Burlington, Ontario, Alayne and Robert enjoyed renovating the old Springer farmhouse on Dundas Street. After the kids left home, they moved to Freelton, where they made good friends. With Robert’s health declining, they later settled in Sturgeon Falls, to be closer to Kevin and his children, and to the family cottage at Lake Kipawa.
Devoted to the happiness and welfare of her children and grandchildren, Alayne made each feel truly special for their uniqueness, and each equally loved. Always very organized (list-maker extraordinaire), she usually had some knitting or cross-stitching in her bag, with a book or two on the go in the evening. She readily admitted to ‘the gift of the gab’, able to strike up a conversation with anyone, at any time. This skill came in handy on her various trips and cruises with family across the world. Alayne enjoyed gardening, singing along to a CD playing in the car, her canoe trips with Robert, Brian and Lynne, a swim off the dock, and a raucous board game after supper at the Lake. We will miss her infectious laugh, her wise counsel, and her sunny outlook on life. Her sisters were a source of lifelong friendship and support – Mom always told us that your siblings will always be your best friends, and she was right.
Survived by son Stephen (Mary) in Halifax, daughter Kathryn (Kim) in Abilene, Texas, and son Kevin in Sturgeon Falls, sisters Carolyn (Jack) in Carleton Place, and Pamela (Bill) in Waba. Also survived by brother-in-law Brian (Lynne) in Waterdown, 8 nieces and nephews, and by her beloved grandchildren – Jackson, Matthew, Ethan, Allie, Andrew and Avery. Her furry friends Mollie, Eva and Willie will miss her, too.
Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will occur on Saturday, November 24th at 1 p.m., at Barker Funeral Home, 19 McArthur Avenue, Carleton Place, Ontario.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice.
