Mrs. Sheila Anderson lives in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. She is the first National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother from the Northwest Territories since the Legion began this tradition more than sixty years ago.

During the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on November 11, 2015, she laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who have lost a child in military service to Canada.

She lost her eldest son, Corporal Jordan Anderson, when a roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan, as well as an Afghan interpreter, in the Panjwaii district southwest of Kandahar City on July 4,2007.

Mrs. Anderson (née Cossar) was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. She eventually moved to Ottawa where she worked in a treatment centre for emotionally disturbed adolescents (Ottawa Carleton Regional Residential Treatment Centre) before she got married in 1977 to a High School teacher named James Anderson. They moved to the Northwest Territories where they have spent the past 38 years. She currently works as the Manager, Territorial Courts with the Department of Justice, Government of the Northwest Territories. Her son, Corporal Anderson, was the oldest of four brothers, Benjamin, Mathew, and Samuel.

She took a three-and-a-half year hiatus from her career in the government to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration (UNBC) and graduated in May 2015. This past year, she also combined her love of cycling to helping raise funds through the Boomer’s Legacy Ride from Comox to Victoria. Funds raised through this program are used to help Veterans with PTSD.

Mrs. Anderson has always actively participated in Legion Remembrance Day ceremonies in Inuvik, Saskatoon, and Prince George. She has also laid wreaths for the fallen/unknown soldiers in Yellowknife. Her husband is also an ordinary member of Canada’s northern most Royal Canadian Legion in Inuvik.

Mrs. Colleen Fitzpatrick was born in New Westminster, British Columbia and raised in Vanderhoof. She lives in Prince George, with her sons, grandchildren and her husband Jim of 32 years.

As the National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother, Mrs. Fitzpatrick laid a wreath at the National War Memorial on 11 November 2016 on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost a son or a daughter in the military either in action or in the course of his/her normal duty. 

She lost her middle son, Corporal Darren Fitzpatrick, when he stepped on an improvised explosive device while on patrol in the Zahari district, near Kandahar City on March 6, 2010.

Mrs. Fitzpatrick and Jim raised three sons Michael, Darren and Sean respectively. She has worked in Human Resources for 15 years and is currently the Director of Human Resources for AiMHi – Association for Community Living, an organization that provides advocacy, support and services to people who have special needs.

Her son Darren received significant blood transfusions upon arrival at Kandahar hospital. The incredible medical attention and blood donations received allowed him two additional weeks with his family before his passing. She has become an advocate for blood donation working closely with Canadian Blood Services to develop a promotional video and blood donation campaign called “Remember the Power of Giving” for which she received a national award.

Diana Abel was born in Ottawa and later became an avid volunteer and entrepreneur in Western Canada. Having lived in several British Columbia towns and cities, she now resides in Brampton, Ontario.

As the National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother, Mrs. Abel laid a wreath at the National War Memorial on 11 November 2017 on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost a son or a daughter in the military either in action or in the course of his/her normal duty. 

She lost her only son, Corporal Michael David Abel, on May 3, 1993, while serving in Belet Huen, Somalia, as part of Operation Deliverance.

Her husband David C. Abel passed away in 2005 after they had raised their two children. David spent 12 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force. With her father, husband and son all having spent time in the Armed Forces, and her two grandsons who are current and past members of cadet squadrons, Mrs. Abel’s family has a significant history of military service.

She is a current volunteer and board member of a local non-profit organization called the Perpetual Bazaar, a consignment store selling items made by area seniors. In previous years, Diana worked with the local Catholic Church in Comox, British Columbia and served on the Catholic Women’s League. She also ran dressmaking and craft businesses and oversaw large craft shows in Sidney, British Columbia.

Diana moved to Brampton to be closer to her daughter Laura and three grandchildren with whom she spends a lot of time visiting and traveling.

Anita Cenerini spent much of her early life in Ontario’s northern and southern regions. She currently lives in Winnipeg with her husband Grant and their  son Jacob.

As the National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother, Mrs. Cenerini laid a wreath at the National War Memorial on 11 November 2018 on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost a son or a daughter in the military either in action or in the course of his/her normal duty.

She lost her son, Private Thomas Welch, on May 8, 2004, less than three months after returning from Afghanistan, Thomas died by suicide in Petawawa. 

Anita raised her late son Thomas and daughter Michelle with her first husband Daniel Welch. She was active in the Catholic Church, volunteering in the Children’s ministry and serving as the President of the Catholic Women’s Society. She also sat on the church board. 

In London, she pursued studies at the University of Western Ontario and Georgian Bay College’s Entrepreneurial program, worked at the University of Western Ontario and volunteered as a support person with the AIDS Committee of London. In Owen Sound, she volunteered as a victim support person with Victim’s Assistance. 

Returning to London, Anita’s family grew with her new husband, Grant Palmer, and his two older sons Michael and Thomas Palmer. Their youngest son Jacob was born and Anita spent the next few years caring for her growing family. Her son Jacob recently enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserves with The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, under 3rd Canadian Division, 38 Canadian Brigade Group at Minto Armouries, in Winnipeg. 

Anita ran in the 2017 Army Run in Ottawa in memory of her son Thomas Welch, and in support of those who serve in the military.

Reine Dawe’s early life began in the small town of St-Prosper, just south of Quebec City. She later graduated from Laval University’s physiotherapy program and entered a profession she enjoyed immensely until her retirement in 2013.

As the National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother, Mrs. Dawe laid a wreath at the National War Memorial on 11 November 2019 on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost a son or a daughter in the military either in action or in the course of his/her normal duty. 

She lost her son, Captain Matthew Jonathan Dawe, on July 4, 2007, while he served in Afghanistan.

It was during her physiotherapy studies that she first met her husband Peter Dawe, now a retired Lieutenant-Colonel who served close to 35 years in the Army. Reine became part of her husband’s wider military family. She also pursued professional continuing education and worked in a series of medical facilities often in military hospitals and clinics.

She and her husband raised four active boys. The Dawe boys were involved in everything from sports to music, and all four went on to follow their father’s example by joining the military. Philip, James and Matthew graduated from The Royal Military College. The eldest, Peter, did not attend the College but later obtained two Master’s degrees from the same institution. Peter is now a Major-General and Commander of the Canadian Special Operations Forces. Philip is a trauma surgeon at the Vancouver General Hospital and a Major in charge of the Canadian Forces Trauma Centre in that city. James retired as a Captain in the PPCLI after serving five years, including a tour in Bosnia. He now lives in Kingston, Ontario, and is Vice President North Atlantic of an American workplace supply company. Matthew, the youngest, was posted to 3PPCLI and served in Afghanistan where he died performing his duties as a platoon Commander.

As a volunteer with organizations such as Canadians for Women in Afghanistan and The Kingston Symphony Association, Reine focuses her time on issues that personally resonate with her.

Debbie Sullivan grew up in the countryside near Saint John, New Brunswick. She had two energetic children and rewarding work as a crisis counsellor, a truck driver and service in the Canadian Army Reserve. 

As the National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother, Mrs. Sullivan laid a wreath at the National War Memorial on 11 November 2020 on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost a son or a daughter in the military either in action or in the course of his/her normal duty. Throughout the year she will also be called upon to perform other duties honouring the Fallen from all conflicts.

She lost her son, Lieutenant Chris Saunders, on October 6, 2004, while he served with the Navy.

As a young girl, Debbie was a member of the Westfield United Church and choir, Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT) and Sea Cadets. She graduated from Rothesay Regional High School and pursued legal secretarial studies at Compu College in Saint John. Her son Christopher, was born in 1972 and her daughter Melissa a few years later.

When her children were young, Debbie volunteered helping seniors run businesses, pay bills, and network to get the help they needed. Later as a crisis line counsellor and member of a multi-disciplinary task force on crisis intervention, she volunteered with the Rothesay Regional and Saint John Police Departments. Debbie served in the Army Reserves from 1990-1994 working on administration, logistics, and recruiting.

While in Halifax to receive the Silver Cross, Debbie met with her son’s former mates and peers who performed a special ceremony to make her an honourary submariner – a true thrill for her. “My husband and I know that with young men and women like them, we are in good shape for the future”.

Josée Simard grew up in Les Mechins, Quebec. Over the years, she has worked extensively in public-facing roles for a variety of organizations such as the Regroupement des Femmes de la région de Matane, helping families in need. 

As the National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother, Mrs. Simard laid a wreath at the National War Memorial on 11 November 2021 on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost a son or a daughter in the military either in action or in the course of his/her normal duty. Throughout the year she will also be called upon to perform other duties honouring the Fallen from all conflicts. 

She lost her daughter, Corporal Karine Blais, on 13 April 2009, when the armoured vehicle she was traveling in struck a roadside bomb near Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Candy Greff calls Lacombe, Alberta home, and has for many years. She was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and was raised mainly in the town of Radville where she later met her husband, Greg. As a Licensed Practical Nurse over 33 years, she received her certification in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and was immersed in a profession in which selflessness and a gregarious nature are virtues. Candy and her husband Greg had three children including Byron, Chelsey and Dustin – and are happy grandparents of eight.

As the National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother, Mrs. Greff will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial on 11 November 2022 on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost a son or a daughter in the military either in action or in the course of his/her normal duty. Throughout the year she will also be called upon to perform other duties honouring the Fallen from all conflicts.  

She lost her son Master Corporal Byron Greff, on 29 October 2011, who was riding inside an armoured NATO bus when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-filled car which impacted the bus. He was the first Canadian soldier to die during that particular training mission, and the last Canadian soldier to lose his life in Afghanistan.

Gloria Hooper lives in the small French town of St. Claude, Manitoba but was born and grew up on the family farm in Shell Valley. Gloria recalls a busy early life, especially as the oldest of four children. After her early years of school in nearby towns such as Inglis and Russell, Gloria went to work as a telephone operator in Dauphin, Manitoba with what was Manitoba Telecom Services at the time. She later took an interest in nursing and got her training Keewatin Community College. After graduating, she worked locally at St. Anthony’s General Hospital. Married to her husband Clinton Hooper they moved to Holland, Manitoba and bought a restaurant and hotel. The place kept them busy, and Gloria took a break from her medical career. They later sold the business, and she went back to nursing. Retiring after a back injury, she later helped in a group home for adults with disabilities and also did some cooking for seniors. In her spare time, she enjoyed crafts. She raised two children, Christopher (Chris) and his younger sister Ashley.

She lost her son Private Chris Holopina on 4 July 1996, while on duty as part of Operation Alliance. He and his comrades were involved in a vehicle accident while on their way to help rescue a group of British soldiers stranded in a mine field. The Canadian armoured vehicle left the road to avoid an accident, but then careened down a ravine and rolled over, killing Chris. He was the first Canadian to give his life in Bosnia as part of that mission.

Maureen Anderson grew up in Derby, New Brunswick, but Oromocto is now home. She was born in England and was barely a toddler when her parents moved to Canada in 1947. Her English mother was a war bride who met her Canadian father while he was serving in Europe during the Second World War. Maureen was the oldest of seven children and helped look after her siblings from a very young age. She had always wanted to be a nurse and attended what was then the Moncton Technical Institute and graduated as a registered nursing assistant – now often called a licensed practical nurse.  

She worked at the National Defence Medical Centre and lived at the former Canadian Forces Base Rockcliffe. One of her patients turned out to be her late husband Peter Anderson – an Army Veteran who later became a Sargeant Major and retired as a Master Warrant Officer. When the two married, Maureen had to step down from her job with the Air Force because of the working regulations at the time. She and her husband raised two children: Ron and his younger brother Ryan. Both would grow up to follow in their father’s footsteps, joining the military as soon as they could, even before finishing High School.

As the National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother, Mrs. Anderson will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial on 11 November 2024 on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost a son or a daughter in the military either in action or in the course of his/her normal duty. Throughout the year she will also be called upon to perform other duties honouring the Fallen from all conflicts.

She lost her son Sergeant Ron Anderson due to an accumulation of tragic experiences overseas which led to Ron taking his own life in 2014. Upon his return from his second tour in Afghanistan, he had changed. He wanted to be alone and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Her son Ryan’s mental health deteriorated faster after his tour in Afghanistan. He too was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Ryan’s health took another downturn fairly quickly after his brother’s passing, and he grew more isolated as well. He passed away in 2017.

Ron Anderson

Sergeant Ron Anderson was a member of the Royal Canadian Regiment. He served in locations including Petawawa, Croatia, Bosnia, Kosovo and had two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

Born on May 27, 1974 in Lahr, Germany, the country where his parents were living at the time, Ron knew what he wanted to do from an early age. A very active and energetic youngster, one precursor to his later desire to enlist was a favourite pastime he shared with his younger brother Ryan. “As kids, they played war games,” she recalls. Ron began in cadets, then jointed the militia in Nova Scotia, and later trained in Gagetown, New Brunswick, becoming a member of The Canadian Army.

While her sons rarely spoke of their roles and actions in the forces, including when they served overseas, they were clearly affected by their experiences. She believes an accumulation of tragic experiences overseas led to Ron taking his own life in 2014. Upon his return from his second tour in Afghanistan, she says he had changed. He wanted to be alone. He was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

One bright memory Maureen shares is how Ron had been awarded a commendation for having saved the life of an injured little boy while in Afghanistan, and under deadly circumstances. “He performed First Aid, and I guess he was surrounded by Afghans with all these guns pointed at him,” she recounts. His actions in the face of danger that day don’t surprise her. “That would be him,” she says. “He was a rough, tough guy, that wouldn’t bother him.”

But Ron never told his parents he had received the award, she learned of it only after his passing. “He was very proud, he did not want any scene, any big fanfare,” she says. She and her late husband later received the certificate that came with his commendation and hung it with pride in their home.

Ron had four children at the time of his passing. His son Bryce is now serving with The Canadian Army.

Ryan Anderson

Sergeant Ryan Anderson was a member of The Royal Canadian Regiment. He served in Gagetown and Yellowknife and in various places overseas such as Bosnia, Ethiopia, Haiti and also in Afghanistan alongside his older brother Ron. 

Born on February 19, 1979 in Oromocto, New Brunswick and just about as active as his brother, Ryan was into martial arts. He trained in Taekwondo and Karate, and he did well, says his mother. He also knew at an early age what he wanted to do. He joined the militia in Nova Scotia as soon as he could, then trained in Gagetown, New Brunswick becoming a member of The Canadian Army.

Maureen describes how both her sons’ personalities changed upon their return from Afghanistan. They were not as jubilant, funny, or happy like they used to be. They were kind of “quiet” and she noticed Ryan’s mental health deteriorated faster, with his condition also affecting other parts of his life. He too was diagnosed with PTSD.

She remembers the effects of PTSD well, and how Ryan who lived in the same complex, would sometimes call her for a visit in the middle of the night. She always said yes. 

“And I would get out of bed and go over to his apartment and get some coffees and just sit with him and listen to him.” Sometimes they would just watch music videos. “Sometimes he would cry and I’d say ‘what’s wrong’ and he would say ‘I don’t know’… I don’t regret that, thankfully I did that,” she says.

Maureen relates how Ryan’s health took another downturn fairly quickly after his brother’s passing, and he grew more isolated as well. He passed away in 2017. Both Ryan and his brother had been receiving help for their PTSD conditions before they passed.

Ryan had two children at the time of his passing.