Constance Mooney

Constance Margaret Mooney (Connie) passed away on Thursday, May 11, at the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus. The daughter of the late Gerald Haighton Noyes and Bertie Olwin Noyes (nee Williams), Connie was born in London, ON and grew up on a nearby farm with her sisters the late Naomi Blay and Joan Leighton. These beautiful and strong women all lived well into their 90's, Connie to 102.

Aching for adventure and life beyond the farm, Connie joined the Royal Canadian Air Force - Women's Division in 1942 - 1945, during which time she was posted to Bomber Command in England. There, she famously drove a covert truck through the English countryside tracking returning allied bombers during blackouts and without road signs to ensure no enemy fighters were following them home. She met her future husband, the late Brigadier General Robert Errington Mooney (Bob, 1997), while enlisted and they married in England in 1945 with her father, who was also in the military and posted overseas at the same time as Connie, in attendance.

Connie and Bob began an exciting military life with postings in Clinton, ON, London, England, Colorado Springs, CO and lastly Ottawa, where they settled for the remainder of their days at the same home they had custom built on Brierwood in 1960 with their three boys William Gerald (Sally), David Matthew, and Peter John (tragically killed by a drunk driver in 1974).

Connie was the matriarch of a large blended family which includes grandchildren: Robert Mooney (Katrien), Christa Mooney (Chris MacKenzie), Lisa Mooney (Rob Maxwell), Sandra Shannon (Jon March), Julia Barber Faller (Neil), Pierre Barber (Trista Hollweck) and Beth Barber Bellamy (Aaron). She was loved and admired by 20 great-grandchildren from Ottawa, Aylmer (QC), Caledon East (ON) and Buffalo (NY). She is pre-deceased by former daughter-in-law Susan Mooney (2013) and step-grandson-in-law Patrick Shannon (2002).

Connie's enduring love of the outdoors and healthy living led her to serve as a Cubmaster for many years while her boys were growing up, and in later years as an avid volunteer and advocate for the Canadian Organic Growers, often travelling far and wide across the Ottawa Valley to local events to promote organic gardening. Connie also volunteered at the Canadian War Museum, proudly displaying war memorabilia, photos, articles, and medals from her time in WWII each Remembrance Day, sharing her stories with interested passersby. And there were many.

Visitation will take place at Tubman's Funeral Home, Westboro Chapel, 403 Richmond Road on Sunday, May 28 from 1 to 6 pm. Graveside service to follow at Pinecrest Cemetery, 2500 Baseline Road on Monday, May 29 at 2 pm, the Venerable Rob Davis presiding. Members of the Westboro Legion will take part in the service. Reception to follow at the Pinecrest Solarium.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Canadian Organic Growers www.cog.ca or the Westboro Legion (Royal Canadian Legion Branch 480) www.rcl480.com or Mothers Against Drunk Driving www.madd.ca would be appreciated.