Obituary of Arvis Neuert

Peacefully passed away at Extendicare Maple View with family by her side on Friday, February 16, 2024. She was an amazingly strong, beautiful lady who lived a full life. It is hard to imagine the many, many memories, and changes she experienced over her 98 years.

Predeceased by her first husband William (Bill) Neuert in 2002, her daughter Roberta Jeanne (Bobbie) Durno in 2011, her second husband Peter McKinley in 2015 and her son-in-law Glen (Soncho) Bannon in 2021. She is also predeceased by other family in Ontario, Nova Scotia and British Columbia. Arvis is survived by her son-in-law Lindsay Durno (late Bobbie) of Atikokan, ON, her son John Neuert (Elva) of Winnipeg, MB and her daughter Barbara (late Glen-Soncho) of Echo Bay, ON. She lives on through the lives of her six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: Rory Durno (Taylor Gattenger) of New Westminster, BC; John Neuert (Kristy) and their daughter Mara of Winnipeg, Heather Neuert and her children Mac and Paige of St. Anne’s, MB, Jaedon Neuert of Winnipeg; Carver Bannon (Jacqueline Soulliere) of Sault Ste. Marie and Cameron Bannon (Nicole Falldien) of Sault Ste. Marie. She is survived by other relatives in Ontario, Nova Scotia and British Columbia.

Arvis was the youngest daughter of Carl Carver, a labourer and Avis (Wagner), a homemaker who made their home around Kentville in rural Nova Scotia. They moved around as her father found work on farms in the area. Carl had no formal education himself but knew the value and importance of it and she always remembered his encouragement to continue learning. In 1942 Arvis went right from high school to a six-week teacher’s course in Truro and at age 17 began teaching in a one room schoolhouse. Being not much older than some of her students she had to quickly develop that “don’t mess with me” teacher look. It served her well throughout her teaching (and parenting) career. Arvis moved to Halifax during WWII and was employed in the Halifax Civil Service, Naval Branch. It was here that she met and married a handsome sailor from Fort William, Ontario, Bill Neuert on April 27, 1945. Upon Bill’s discharge from the navy, they moved to his hometown and started their life together.

For 57 years Arvis and Bill lived in Vickers Heights on the then outskirts of Fort William (now Thunder Bay). It was here in this beautiful neighbourhood along the banks of the Kaministiquia River that they raised their children, “Bobbie, Johnny and Barbie”. Lifelong friendships were made in this friendly community. Summers were spent gardening, camping, and road trips in the camper throughout Canada. Winters went by keeping their extra-long driveway snow free, cross-country skiing, curling, bowling, hockey and get-togethers with friends. Arvis and Bill retired in the late 1980’s and split their time between Thunder Bay and Siesta Bay, Fort Myers, Florida. Other adventures took them to Russia, Europe, Scotland and the Panama Canal. They continued camping in the summer often with grandchildren along for the experience.

Arvis went back to school and graduated from Lakehead Teachers College in 1967 and began teaching for the Lakehead District School Board. She loved her work with Special Education finding it both challenging and rewarding. She completed her working career as consultant in Special Education with the Lakehead Board. In between work and family, she found the time and energy to complete a BA in 1977, her Master of Education in 1983 and compile a history booklet about the church on Fort William First Nation.

Arvis married again in 2005 to Peter McKinley of Sarnia, Ontario. She and Peter spent time in Siesta Bay and Sarnia until Peter’s death in 2015. Arvis then moved to Sault Ste. Marie to be near family. She resided at Collegiate Heights and moved to Extendicare Maple View in 2018.

Our family would like to thank the often unrecognized and stressfully overworked but always kind, caring staff at Maple View, especially everyone in the Ranger Lake unit. You always treated Arvis with kindness, dignity and respect. We appreciate your dedication to our elders.

At Arvis’ request cremation has taken place and interment will be in Thunder Bay in the spring. If friends desire memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, Children’s Make A Wish Foundation or Médecin Sans Frontier would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre, 942 Great Northern Rd, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 0B6, 705-945-7758.