Partridgeberries and Memories: A Sweet Newfoundland Christmas Legacy

In the quiet weeks leading up to Christmas, a simple Facebook post about partridgeberries became a touching testament to family, heritage, and the enduring power of culinary traditions.  Jim Wilson's heartfelt request in the Newfoundland Dishes and Recipes facebook group was more than just a search for a hard to find ingredient - it was a beautiful act of honouring his mom’s memory.

Just one month before Christmas, Jim shared a mission close to his heart: finding partridgeberries to continue a cherished family tradition.  His mother, who had passed away earlier in November, had kept the essence of her Newfoundland roots alive through food - transforming holiday meals into a vibrant connection to her birthplace.

In a messenger chat, Jim mentioned that “… she only returned to Newfoundland to visit a couple times in her life. The last time was about 35 years ago, when she took her mother, Blanche Snook, and myself, back to visit Sunnyside.”

The Newfoundland Spirit is a Strong One

Lillian Wilson (nee Snook) was born in 1945, in Come By Chance, and raised in Sunnyside. Jim's mother carried her Newfoundland heritage with her when her family moved to Ontario.  Over the years, she maintained a profound link to her roots through the meals she lovingly prepared, which included Jiggs Dinner, Cod, and a seafood feast on Christmas Eve - crab, lobster, shrimp, and mussels.  Followed by a traditional dinner on Christmas Day, complete with turnips (a side dish only she would enjoy lol).  The meal was rounded out with her partridgeberry pudding, when she was able to find some… but blueberries made a good substitute when needed.

Jim's mom, Lillian Wilson ❤

Christmas was more than just a holiday for her; it was, as Jim mentioned, "her passion."   She would start her Christmas shopping as early as January, especially when she found something perfect for her children and granddaughters. By year end, her home would transform, with decorations filling every room with love and Christmas memories from years past - reflecting her endless love of the season.

A Life of Kindness

Lillian worked for 49 years as a School Board Administrator, in London, Ontario, where she was known for her selflessness and her genuine interest in everyone she met.  Her life was characterized by a warmth that drew people close and a dedication to keeping family connections strong.

This year, despite her absence, Jim and his family are determined to honour her memory.  The quest for partridgeberries is more than a culinary search - it's a ritual of remembrance, a way to keep her spirit alive in the steamed pudding that will grace their Christmas table.

I felt compelled to reach out to Jim

Connection lies at the heart of Newfoundland and Labrador’s spirit.   During covid, quite by accident, I connected with other Newfoundlanders online who were missing home, especially at Christmastime.  I was so moved by the people I chatted with that I knew this couldn’t be just a one-off… so I started a facebook group to keep that connection alive.  Newfie Connection has grown over the years, promoting everything about Newfoundland – news stories, weather updates, local communities events, and more – keeping us connected to our history and culture.  The group is a lot of fun, but I knew that I needed to do more! 

Through this mighty facebook group, I was inspired to start a community-based project that promotes Newfoundland history and culture - TALES FROM THE ROCK.  This story about Jim and his mom is what it’s all about… about keeping our family’s memories alive and connecting them to other Newfoundlanders who might be going through the same thing.

From the moment I read about Jim's request, I couldn’t help but feel touched by his story. It made me think about all of those outport villages who are struggling to hang on, as their spirit fades, with such sad loss, year-after-year.  Losing people who were the glue that held the family, and sometimes their community itself, together. 

The outport village of Conche/Crouse is one of those places that holds my heart.  In 2024, within about a six-month period, my family lost four of my aunts and uncles.  My heart aches for my own mother, who’s suffered greatly this year, losing two sisters, a brother, and a brother-in law.  My heart also breaks for my cousins and their families who, like Jim’s family, will have their first Christmas without their dear mom and/or dad.   But this isn’t a story about me, it’s about keeping a loved one's memory alive.  While I didn’t know Jim’s mom, I’m sure that she, like my aunts and uncles who’ve passed, would want us all to reach out to those around us – especially this Christmas season.  We are stronger when we’re connected to our community and family. 

The Christmas Season and your Mental Health

This story embodies everything our community represents: the unbreakable connection of family, the preservation of cultural memory, and the profound ways we keep our loved ones close, even after they're gone.

This Christmas, a family will gather, share a meal, and through each bite of pudding, remember a remarkable woman who kept her Newfoundland heart beating strong, thousands of miles from the rocky shores of her childhood.

P.S.  Please don’t need to suffer in silence.  While many people see the holiday season as a time of rejoicing and celebration, after 25 years in education, I know first-hand that there are a lot of people who find Christmas very stressful and struggle. Please reach out to your family and/or local community.  If you’re in Newfoundland, here’s some help: https://www.gov.nl.ca/hcs/mentalhealth-committee/mentalhealth/