Maizie Christine (Walton) Eady (1918-1995)

Tomorrow, Wayne McLeod will tell you about his mother's sister, Maizie Christine (Walton) Eady. It’s an amazing rags-to-riches story with a surprise twist.

As Wayne says, “You talk about a Mover and a Shaker; that was Maizie. She was born 50 years ahead of her time.”

 

Born 28 April 1918 in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, Maizie was the youngest child of Culbert descendant, Rose Zelpha Byrd Morden and Henry William “Harry” Walton.

At age 19, Maizie married Earl Johnston Eady in Michigan. When Maizie’s father found out about Maizie and Earl’s wedding, he had their marriage annulled. That didn’t stop Maizie from using Earl’s surname for the rest of her days; probably to annoy her father. If anyone inquired as to the whereabouts of her husband, she told everyone she was a widow, even though Earl was still very much alive, somewhere. It’s not known what actually became of Earl but he died in 1984 and is buried in Hillsdale Cemetery, Petrolia, Ontario.

During the Second World War, Maizie joined the Women’s Royal Canadian Navy Service (WRCNS.) Members were known as “Wrens.” During this time, she met many men who would impress her; especially an Englishman named Bert Laking with whom she had a daughter after the War.

Maizie's WRCNS identification card, 1943.

In the 1950s, Maizie had a fly-by-night affair with Eldon McGregor and they had a son.

When she was several months pregnant, Maizie piled five members of her family, including her nephew Wayne into the car and drove all the way from Canada to Florida, all on the spur of the moment. It was a rollicking road trip.

She bought a new Buick automobile every year. Her nephew Wayne recalls, “When the ashtray was full or she got tired of the colour of her car, she bought a new one.”

Wayne also remembers that Maizie was a talented story-teller, tea cup reader and fortune teller.

At age 77, Maizie died on 25 November 1995 in North Bay, Ontario and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Sarnia with her sisters, Glayda and Roselle.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Come back soon to read about the rise and fall of Maizie (Walton) Eady.

Maizie Christine (Walton) Eady's Family Tree:

Ancestors:

As yet unidentified Culbert Irish great-great-grandparents

Richard Culbert & Ann Jane Harlton (great-grandparents)

Catherine Culbert & Alexander Morden (grandparents)

Rose Zelpha Byrd Morden & Henry William Walton (parents)