Belynda Pauline Cleland

Belynda made lifelong friendships and valued each and every one of her friends. They were a big part of her life and she made connecting with them throughout the years, a priority. She was a genuine friend who cared deeply and truly took interest in knowing what was going on in their lives.

Her family was everything to her. She had so much love to give and made time for each and every one of us. Parents, siblings, Nieces, Nephews, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents and Cousins. She took a great interest in Ancestry and began a journey of discovery. She loved to learn about the history of where we all came from and when she gathered any information, she couldn’t wait to share it.

Born on August 24, 1967 in Toronto, she was my parents first pride and joy. With those tight little curls & her sweet little smile, she captured the hearts of everyone. As each new sibling arrived (over & over again times four), she welcomed us with open arms. She took pride in her role as the big sister & always looked out for us. And when we drove her crazy at times, she still loved all four of us tremendously.

We were a close knit family, she was the glue that held us all together. She would calm any storms, help mend any fences, and fix any conflicts that needed to be resolved. She did not like conflict and always wanted to make peace.

Growing up, it was hard to measure up to her successes, she was a perfect daughter. She made everyone proud and she influenced all of us in such a profound and positive way. She was nurturing and upon our Mother’s absence, she would take on that “Motherly” role for us. She was the oldest sibling and I’m sure took on quite a few extra responsibilities. We never heard her complain and she was always there to help, even when she left on her big adventures, the love she had for her family, always brought her home.

We can honestly say that without her, we would not be the people whom we are today. She gave us unconditional love & support and never passed judgement even when we knew we screwed up. She was amazing and I wish we could tell her just how much we truly cherish and appreciate everything she did.

Little curly haired Belynda grew up in Port McNicholl and attended her early school years at Port McNicholl P.S. before heading off to M.S.S. for high school. She was academically driven and maintained honour roll throughout her school years. She was the grade 8 valedictorian, won the academic award, joined many clubs, and played on numerous school sport teams, her 1st love being Basketball. She enjoyed participating in the science fairs, debate club, public speaking and cartooning all her friends. She was a natural artist and would sketch or draw every moment she could get. Belynda also loved to read and it was very rare that she didn’t have a book in her hand, in her purse, or on her nightstand. She loved to travel and explore new places. In 1993, she travelled to Europe with her friends and from then on, has travelled all over the world for leisure and business.

In grade 9 she joined the Junior Achievement of Canada Program. She was awarded a 5 year membership plaque and continued to succeed in JA throughout her high school years. She spent 4 years as Vice President of Marketing for various JA companies and in her final year, she became President of her own JA company, Descal Enterprises. Not only did they win the Company of the year award, but they also won Product of the year for their aluminum block desk calendars which was marketed across Canada. In 1986 at the age of 18, she won the Schulich Award for Entrepreneurship being recognized for her leadership skills and was awarded $1500. She was chosen as 1 of 3 delegates to attend the National JA Conference in Bloomington, Indiana. Belynda gave 110% in everything she did and failing was not an option.

In 1986, she graduated High School and flew the coop to attend Wilfred Laurier University in the Bachelor of Business Co-op Program in Waterloo. After graduating, Belynda entered the business world, beginning her career as an Insurance underwriter. She spent nearly a decade with Zurich Insurance gaining valuable industry insight and knowledge. She then joined Aon Benfield in June 2000 as a manager and quickly began building a reputation of having a deep understanding of the industry. In 2014, she was promoted to Senior Vice President and served on the Aon Reinsurance Solutions Executive Leadership Team. She was a mentor for many and was passionate about providing the best service to her clients. She developed a partnership with and supported Women in Insurance (STEM). She believed that female professionals should be treated equally and that women could rise up and be successful in anything they wanted to do. Belynda supported numerous charities; Cancer, Children’s Aid, Sick Kid’s Hospital and the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

And despite having a successful and very busy career, Belynda always made time for her family. She maintained a healthy work/home life balance and began planning out her lifelong dream of becoming a Mother. When her children, Erick and Gwen came along, she felt like her life was complete. They were her everything, her entire world. She didn’t miss one important milestone and loved every second of watching them grow from wee little babies to independent teenagers. She was a loving, devoted & nurturing mother who only wanted what was best for her kids. She was at every school event, skate competition, softball tournament, hockey game and anything else her children were involved in. When she wasn’t watching from the sidelines, she was directly involved in these activities by volunteering her time. She saw a lot of her own academic qualities in them and wanted to help & support them in achieving their goals. Belynda loved them unconditionally and would be so proud of them both. She will miss out on so many great things in their lives, but we will make sure that she is always there in spirit. We will always remind them of just how proud Belynda is of them. Every step of the way, they will know just how much they were loved by her. This I know, they felt on a daily basis.

Losing a Mother is one thing, but losing Belynda in a such a tragic way leaving them completely parentless is something her children will have to face everyday for the rest of their lives. Nothing will bring Belynda back and as hard as it’s been, we have all had to come to terms with the fact that she is “gone”. We feel our loss everyday from the minute we wake up to the time we go to bed. There is a huge void in our lives and the pain we feel may never go away. Holiday’s will never be the same, family get togethers will feel empty and we will miss her presence like crazy in everyday life events. A piece of our heart left with her & someday when we see our sister again, it will be healed.

Moving forward does not mean we will forget because we could never forget our beautiful sister. Continuing to “live” life would be what she would want for everyone so as hard as it is, we will honour her in our journey moving forward every single day

She may be physically gone, but what she instilled in us, her lessons and her guidance will remain within us forever.

In Our Hearts Forever

To us she will always remain the most beautiful, loving, kind & giving sister we grew up with and loved.

She may have been taken from us far too soon but our memories will last forever. Our bond can never be broken. She was our big Sister.

To Our Sister,

We’re blessed to call you sister

We also call you friend;

You’ve loved us unconditionally

And stood through thick and thin.

You’ve shared our joys and sorrows, our laughter and our tears.

You’ve been our inspiration, as we grew up through the years.

When we were little children we laughed and played together;

Then growing up you stood by us, through good and stormy weather.

We’re saddened that you left us, we’re saddened by our pain.

But what we had together, our bond and love remains.

So please dear sister know this, you shaped us and we’re proud.

Don’t shed a tear for what we’ve lost, just watch above the cloud.

Belynda was not only an amazing sister but she was the most special kind of daughter that most parents can only dream of.

She made them proud every single day and they loved her immensely.

Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday.

Unseen, unheard, but always near, so please Mom and Dad don’t shed a tear.

Your heart is broken but in time will heal, I’ll always be your daughter, your Belynda so dear.

Cherish our memories, remember my smile.

We won’t be together but only for a while.

I’ll wait for you both and I’ll greet you with love,

Until that day comes, I’ll watch from above.

Belynda was a very successful, hardworking and dedicated Senior Vice President and proud to be part of the Aon Benfield Company. She loved her job and everyone she worked with. She was passionate and her career was such an important part of her life. She will be missed dearly and Aon Benfield will suffer the greatest of absences. Thank you Aon Benfield for everything you have done for my sister and her children. She would be so proud to know that the company she loved for so many years, went above & beyond.

Lastly & the most important part of all was that Belynda was a loving and devoted Mother to her two children, Erick and Gwen. Becoming a mother was one of the happiest days of her life. She did everything for them and they were her world. She loved every moment watching them grow from little babies to the mature, smart, loving teenagers that they have become today. She was so proud to be their “Mom” and she wanted nothing but the best for their future. She loved them unconditionally and was involved in every step of their life whether it was sports, school or providing them with new experiences. She was always present for everything and supported her children in everything they did. Their education was so important to her and she wanted them to soar, the sky’s the limit.

Gwen and Erick are surrounded by family and will never have to feel alone, not for one moment. They will be loved dearly everyday just like Belynda would have wanted. They will make her proud and someday they will see their beloved Mom again. Their worlds will collide and all will be as it should. They loved her so much and she adored them like every Mother should.

For Erick and Gwen,

Although you cannot hear her voice or see her smile no more, your Mother walks beside you still just as she did before.

She will listen to your stories, she will wipe away your tears;

She will wrap her arms around you, she will comfort all your fears.

It’s just she isn’t visible to see with human eye, but talk to her in silence and her spirit will reply.

You’ll feel the love she has for you, you’ll feel her in your heart.

She’s left her human body but your souls will never part.