Victoria “Mickey” May was born Wednesday, May 24, 1933 in East York Township, Ontario. Her father, James Wickiam was born in Aberdeen, Scotland and her mother, Vera Edna (Nolan) Wickiam was born in Summerside, P.E.I. James and Vera were married the 23rd of February 1921 in York, Ontario and they had a huge family. In 1916, when James enlisted for the duration of WWI (which ran from July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918) his occupation was a press feeder. For his marriage license James listed himself as an electrician. He went onto work for Hydro, by 1963 a Hydro Manager, and also became a local politician.
“Vickey” to her older sibling and “Mickey” to her younger siblings was the middle child of nine sisters and four brothers. The family played and went to public school in the Don Valley Parkway area of Toronto. The Wickiam family was not only large but they were also gifted musically. The boys played big band music all around Toronto including the Legions. Mickey played the drums as well as the guitar. Not having either instrument in her later years, Mickey played both the air guitar and the spoons. And boy could she play the spoons!
After Mickey finished attending school she worked at a restaurant. One evening after work, Mickey and a couple of girlfriends went dancing. It was there that she met her first husband Ronald Frederick Walton at the age of eighteen. Together they had two boys, Ronald Frederick born in 1953 and Douglas in 1958. Mickey and Ron were married for five or so years and then Mickey separated with the boys. One or two years later she just happened to be at work early at a restaurant and greeted the milk man by opening the door for him. He chastised her for this and Mickey responded by shutting the door on him! Martin Arthur Rose was smitten!
Martin (son of Thomas Alexander and Minnie L. (Welch) Rose were married 19 May 1903) and Victoria were married October 20, 1973 in Owen Sound. It was the second marriage for both, but this one suited both very well. Martin spoiled Mickey rotten! Together they had three daughters; Yvonne (1962), Dianne (1966) and Debbie (1967).
From 1970 on, the Rose family lived in Dornoch. You see, Martin was a farm boy and had fallen in love with the beauty of this area, and they couldn’t seem to find a home big enough for their combined family in Hanover. Mickey, well she wasn’t such a farm girl. She was more of a city girl, a social butterfly who loved to dance, read, collect coins, study history, and didn’t drive. To top it all off, Martin could not find a job in the area. He went back to Toronto to work and Mickey just about went stir crazy in the isolation of the farm community.
To be honest, Mickey did drive at one time. However, a serious accident left it’s emotional scars and a further incident with Martin took its toll. It was actually a cute story. One day while driving, Mickey said to Martin, “There is a house behind us!” Of course, Martin did not, or could not, believe her. “A house?!” What in tarnation’s! When he turned around and saw the actual house following them, Mickey ditched the car! The kids would ask Mickey to take them on tours but she always responded that she might kill them if she did!
In 1973 the Rose family found a home and moved to Chesley. Martin had a heart attack while they were living in Chesley and in 2002 Mickey and Martin moved to the Active Senior’s (The Village) in Hanover. Sadly, Martin died May 28, 2011. This left Mickey worrying as to how she was going to be able to cope and handle all the day to day stressors of life. It has been a difficult five years for Mickey.
When Mickey had her stroke in Hanover, before Martin died, life changed, as it has a habit of doing. The stroke made her vision poorer which greatly curtailed her knitting, cooking, reading, cleaning and even bathing routine. However, she could still watch TV, especially wrestling. Believe it or not, Mickey was a hard core wrestling freak, oops, I mean fan! Family tells tales of how Mickey was a bulldog with her remote and TV. Watch out! Perhaps this was because it was one of the last things that Mickey could actually enjoy. Well, that and her family.
It wasn’t just the love of wrestling that Mickey could share with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It was also the love of rock n’ roll! Yes, AC/DC and Rolling Stones were just two of Mickey’s favourite groups. The truth is, Mickey loved all types of music.
Just this past June, and for her birthday, the family got together to celebrate with Mickey. Almost all were there (but five) and Mickey was as happy as a pig in clover! And just six weeks ago, Mickey had her pictures taken professionally. It was out at Keith and Yvonne’s place and again, Mickey was tickled pink.
Peacefully and surrounded by family, Mickey May Rose of Hanover, formerly of Chesley, passed away at The Village, on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 in her 84th year.
Loving mother of Douglas Richard Walton of Edmonton, Yvonne (Keith) Fortune of Chesley, Dianne Rose (Richard) of Edmonton and Debbie (Rob) Foster of Hanover. She will be missed by her six grandchildren, twelve great–grandchildren as well as her nine sisters and four brothers. Mickey was predeceased by her husband Martin, son Ronald Walton, and great-grandson Reese.
A private family service will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley with interment to follow in Chesley Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
