My Journey to Newfoundland and Labrador

January 29, 2021

My journey to living in Newfoundland and Labrador began over 50 years ago. Conceived in Newfoundland and born in Ontario, I always felt like I belonged in both worlds…or neither. 12 years ago today, my husband and I began the journey to Newfoundland with our two daughters. When my grandmother heard we were moving to Pasadena she said, “Finally! Carole is coming home where she belongs.”

1967

Not unlike many people today, my parents left Newfoundland to move to Ontario to look for work a few months before I was born. Separated from their families without the technology we take for granted today, they treasured their visits back home. As a young girl, I was fortunate to spend many summers, Christmases, and school spring breaks in Pasadena. These visits instilled in me the love of this area and allowed me to grow up knowing my extended family.

2008

Jump ahead to the summer of 2008. My parents retired and moved back to Pasadena. My husband and I wondered if living in Ontario was really where we wanted to be. We made plans to move to Nova Scotia in summer 2009 so we could be in-between our parents.

Things changed when my husband’s father passed away in July. His mother had Alzheimer’s and no longer knew who we were.

The Phone Call

A few weeks later, I was chatting with my dad on the phone and he told me about a house being built on Wagg Place in Pasadena. My maiden name is Wagg and Wagg Place happens to be named for my great-grandfather Joseph Wagg. The builder, who was also the foreman building my parents’ house, told my dad he was just going to frame in the house and then sell it. I told my husband about it and the next day we called my dad to say we wanted to buy it. Over the next few days we bought a house sight unseen, with no money down, over the phone. Only in Newfoundland, right?

Making the move

For a few months, nothing happened after we put our house up for sale. Then in just over one month, our world drastically changed. First, we sold our house on December 23, 2008. Then, my mother-in-law went in to hospital the next day. She went in to palliative care on Dec. 26th and died on Dec. 29th. We buried her on January 3rd, 2009 and closed our house on Jan. 28th. In short, my husband lost both his parents in 6 months.

Our journey to Pasadena began 12 years ago today. We packed up the car with enough clothes for a few weeks and began the drive from Ontario. My husband and I certainly had not planned to cross the Atlantic at the end of January!

Today

12 years ago, I had no idea that I would be the owner of my own business, and Chairperson of the Pasadena Heritage Society – NL today. I thank the community for welcoming our family and supporting me in my business ventures. My love of this area has developed in to a great opportunity to preserve the heritage of the community. I think Nan was right; I am where I belong. ~ Carole