Mary Edese Lajoie

     Mary Edese was born on Tuesday, 28 February 1871 in Hungerford Township, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of Nelson Lajoie & Edese Rashotte. Mary Edese married Francis Meraw, son of Louis-Treffle Merand and Harriett Pelland dit Beausoliel, on 26 April 1892 in Village of Tweed, Hungerford Township at St. Carthagh Churchyard. They were married by Father J. P. Flelming. Other dates which were given in the marriage register for this marriage: 18 Jan 1886 under name of Maraund & 9 Jan 1893 under name of Meraw. The last date appears to be the same as the date registered.^1,2 Francis & Edese had children: Michael [2/27/1893-3/06/1979][m. circa 1924 Margaret J. Doyle], Francis Benard [7/03/1895-7/12/1895], John Nelson [6/30/1896-1/16/1973][m. 11/05/1927 Ann Mulrooney], Margaret [9/30/1899-2/10/1986], Mary Anna [3/25/1902-8/12/1933][m. 1927 Daneil Hunt], Joseph Louis [2/11/1905-8/31/1984][ 8/14/1942 Doris Rashotte], Mary Helen [8/26/1907-12/07/1999]m. 11/29/1929 William Walter Sadler], Alfred [3/__/1911] & Cecilia [6/29/1914-4/10/2002][m. Dr. Jack Latimer]. 31 March 1901, Mary and her husband, Francis, were listed on the Canadian Census in at Hungerford Township. Enumerated in this household were Francis Meraw [25 Jun 1862 - 38], Mary E. [28 Feb 1871 - 30], Michael J. [18 Feb 1893 - 8], Nelson J. [30 Jun 1896 - 4], Mary M. [30 Aug 1899 - 1], Frankie Goyon [25 Apr 1886 - 14 cousin].³ 1911, Mary and her husband, Francis, were listed on the Canadian Census in at Hungerford Township at Lot 12, Consession 11. Enumerated in this household were Frank Mareau [48 Ontario - June 1862], Edese [40 Ontario - February 1871], Michle [18 Ontario - February 1893], Nelson [15 Ontario - June 1895], Margaret [10 Ontario - August 1900], Annie [9 Ontario - March 1902], Noah [6 Ontario - February 1905], Helen [3 Ontario - August 1907] & Alfred [0/12 Ontario - March 1911].⁴ Mary and her husband, Francis, were listed on the Canadian Census in at Hungerford Township. Enumerated in this household were Frank Meraw [ 59 Ontario], Edes [51 Ontario], Louis [16 Ontario], Helen [13 Ontario], Nelson [24 Ontario] & Cecilia [7 Ontario].⁵ Mary's husband, Francis, drowned on 2 September 1930 in the Village of Tweed, Hungerford Township at age 68 years, 2 months and 8 days, leaving her a widow.⁶ Mary departed this life on Tuesday, 30 September 1958 in Hungerford Township at age 87 years, 7 months and 2 days. She was buried there in St. Carthagh Churchyard in grave no. 247 alongside her husband. The inscription on her stone reads: Mary Edese Lashwa.