With deep sorrow, we announce the death of our magnificent mother, Jane Carson (née Gavan Duffy). Our beloved Gubby was born in Albury, NSW, Australia to Alison McLeod and Frank Brendan Gavan Duffy. She met and married Melville Carson (d.1980) in Singapore, and was whisked off to Thetford Mines, Quebec in the middle of winter with their first two children in tow; three more followed. She lived a full ninety-one years, racing cars across the Australian outback, traveling around the world, settling in St. Lambert where after Mel’s early death she singlehandedly raised five children, and eventually ending up in Westmount. She spent sixty-two summers at Breeches Lake, where she and Mel will soon be together again.

She was so very much loved by her children Matthew (Suzanne Trottier), Nick (Jackie Coyle (d. 2012), Renee Harden), Emily (Michael Hallett), Luke (Peggy Williams) and Simon (Chantal Damas). She loved and was loved by her many grandchildren: Brittany (Andre Kounadis), Samantha (Matt Harris), Erica (Fahad Sami), Bianca, Samia, Olivia, T, Benjamin, Owen, Emma (Sofi), Ray, Martha, Maggie and Andrew, and her great-grandchildren Sera, Brooke, Jacqueline, Elena and one more on the way. She was very close to her sisters Elizabeth (d. 2017) and Susie (d. 1974), and is remembered fondly by her Australian nieces Harriet, Olivia, Sarah and Louisa, as well as Canadian nephews David (d. 2020), Peter and John, and niece Anne.

Thanks to those who have sent wonderful messages of condolence: the overwhelming sentiments are that she was one of the nicest people anyone ever met, and that she was supposed to live forever. She was quiet and unassuming but we’re learning that many people felt her graceful and reassuring strength. 

We will honour your memory forever, Gubby. You are loved.

 Friends and family are invited to celebrate her life on August 4 at the family cottage on Breeches Lake. 

Donations in her memory may be made to the Cedars Cancer Foundation at https://www.cedars.ca/en/.