AUGUST 11, 1925 – APRIL 10, 2024
The world became a better place when Cora Belle Livingston was born in Leamington Ontario, August 11, 1925 to parents Lorna (ne: Knight) and Fred Livingston. She left us April 10 in her 99th year, after a brief period of decline in her frail health. Cora is pre-deceased by her loving husband of 73 years, Samuel Mitchell Hauka, and her sister Evelyn Metcalfe (ne: Livingston). Cora was a loving mother to son, Roger Hauka and daughter Connie Jasinskas (ne:Hauka), as well as their spouses, Linda Hauka (ne: Novak) and Vytas Jasinskas. Cora has five beautiful grandchildren, Mandy (Hauka) Ulcar, Jonas Jasinskas, Jen and Heather Hauka, and Joseph Jasinskas. Her seven great grandchildren are: Caleb Hauka, Olivia and Alison Jasinskas, Rowyn Hauka, Leilani, Ethan and Milena Ulcar.
Sam, a farmer from Taber Alberta, met his dear Cora (his “Leamington tomato”) at Port Stanley, while in training in St. Thomas with the RCAF. Cora and Sam married in Windsor in 1946 after Sam completed his military service as a flight engineer with the Royal Canadian Air Force. They homesteaded in Claresholm Alberta, then moved to Taber to grow sugar beets.
Cora and Sam had a shared dream to start a Dude Ranch – a western riding summer camp for children. After leaving Alberta for another five-year stint with the Airforce, they purchase a farm near Fingal Ontario, and started the Horseshoe J Dude Ranch in the early 1960s. Cora handled registrations and the ‘home’ side of the business, while Sam wrangled 40 horses and the Dudes. They both had wonderful memories of those years and were touched by the many Dudes who got in touch to thank them for a lifechanging experience at the Ranch.
They sold the Ranch in the early 1970s and moved to Gibsons BC to be closer to and help care for Sam’s parents, Mike and Isabelle Hauka. They left scenic Gibsons to move back to Ontario after Sam’s parents passed, leaving behind “Samora Place”, the gorgeous home hand-built by Sam and lovingly decorated by Cora.
Cora and Sam next moved to Simcoe, to be closer to their family – all of whom were living in Ontario. This creative, well-dressed duo then directed their energy and enthusiasm to their beautiful garden and to volunteering at the Simcoe Seniors’ Centre. To be closer to family, Cora and Sam moved from Simcoe to Cambridge in 2000. Since then, they shared a loving home with daughter Connie and her hubby Vytas. Avid volunteers and gardeners, they founded the Garden Club at the Ted Wake Lounge in Hespeler, where they made many like-minded friends. Cora and Sam were honoured by the Mayor for their many years of volunteer service.
Cora was a style icon, known for her positive nature, kindness and wit. She was more put-together working in her garden than most of us would be for a special event. Cora loved baking fancy goodies and creating stunning arrangements from her lush garden. Though she had substantial physical challenges from arthritis in her 90s, she often said, “Just because you have a pain doesn’t mean you have to be one!”
Cora will be remembered with love and laughter at a private celebration of life. If you would like to commemorate Cora, her favourite charities were the Cancer Society and CNIB.
Arrangements entrusted to Barthel Funeral Home
