Your Past Preserved

03/22/2023

https://london.ctvnews.ca/pixley-fulford-mausoleum-vandalized-in-brazen-robbery-1.6322931

Such unnecessary thievery and vandalism at arguably Ontario's most beautiful private mausoleum. At least plans are in place to restore the doors to their former grandeur, though I'm sad Woodland Cemetery is on the hook for the cost of the repairs. My husband Derek took this photo a number of years ago - such a beautiful little building.

03/08/2023

Springtime is coming! Now is a great time to consider booking a memorial cleaning. We're taking requests for May and June (and perhaps even in April, if weather permits.) Please visit yourpastpreserved.ca for more information.

01/05/2023

As if treasured memorials aren't facing enough damaging forces from the elements just quietly sitting in place... How utterly senseless, especially since some are apparently beyond repair. 😢

Police are looking for a suspect or suspects after dozens of headstones in a Mitchell, Ont. cemetery were damaged.

12/01/2022

It's on chilly days like today that I like to revisit cemeteries I've been to in warmer climes - like this small village cemetery near Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. In this overwhelmingly Christian nation crosses abound, and above-ground tombs and shrines are common. I wish the gate hadn't been locked so I could have taken a stroll through.

11/23/2022

During the cold months, when it's not safe to clean stones, I like to revisit some of the cemeteries I've been to over the years. I am the quintessential cemetery tourist! This one is close to home - a few years ago, I was fortunate to get permission to photograph the interior of the Avondale mausoleum here in Stratford. Enjoy! :)

11/11/2022

This Remembrance Day, we honour the sacrifices of Sergeant Edward Mark, Corporal James S Buck, and all those who have served their countries in all conflicts. It was my privilege to give some care and attention to these sacred memorials. Lest we forget.

11/07/2022

A few before-and-after photos of recent work. Memorials, big or small - give me a call! :) Now booking for spring 2023.

10/14/2022

Memorial cleaning is not all I do here at Your Past Preserved - I'm passionate about preserving ALL records, whether on paper or on stone. My most heartfelt thanks to Kate and her family for trusting me to digitize their incredible family archive. ❤️ I'll definitely be busy this winter - so excited to get started! 🙂

10/01/2022

To honour our local Stratford veterans ahead of Remembrance Day, Your Past Preserved has chosen to clean, free of charge, two Avondale memorials from many - Sgt. Edward "Ted" Mark, and Cpl. James Stewart Buck. Many thanks to their nieces Nikkie and Susan for putting their names forward, and to everyone else whose family members sacrificed so much for our country and our community.

I had hoped to have received similar community nominations for St. Marys veterans, but I was not allowed to post my message in the St. Marys Life Facebook group. I am, however, in touch with the Chaplain at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 236 (St. Marys) and am confident that I will be able to honour two veterans from St. Marys as well.

09/21/2022

To honour the memory of all those who served in all conflicts, ahead of Remembrance Day (while the weather is still warm enough to safely do it) Your Past Preserved Memorial Cleaning is offering to clean some veterans' memorials absolutely free of charge. In this inaugural year, I would like to start with two stones in Stratford and two stones in St. Marys.

Do you have a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle who was a veteran and is resting in Stratford or St. Marys? Please comment on this post or message me privately. I'm going to put the names into a hat and draw them on September 28; memorial cleaning will take place during the first two weeks of October.