Maria Adriana DeBruin (nee VanDÿk) passed away peacefully at Wentworth Lodge on January 27, 2024. Loving wife of Jacobus (Jake), mother of Julie Ann, Michael (Andrea), Jim (Susie), Jeff (Rachael) and Heather. Devoted grandmother to Jacob, Leah, Aaren, Sam (Kate), Evan, Joel, Hannah, Spencer, Taryn, Joseph, Grace, Ella, Nathan, Jerry, Everett and great grandmother to Luke. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jerseyville Baptist Church. A small family service will be held in the spring.
Died peacefully on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at Juravinski Hospital in Hamilton, after a battle with cancer. Loved and supported by his wife, Jannie (Jane) Wiersma nee ter Steege, to whom he was married for 55 years. Caring father to Paul Wiersma (Daphne), Philip Wiersma (Carrey) and Joanna Wiersma (Darryl) and proud Pake to Eve, James, Kay, Kaitlyn and Matthew Wiersma. Brother to Sylvia. Predeceased by: his parents, Willem and Ebeltje; and his brothers, Elco (Ann) and William ‘Bill’ (Magda). Ever the hard-working and dutiful provider, John was most in his element while painting, constructing ‘Popular Mechanics’ perpetual motion machines, helping his kids with their math homework and maneuvering his 18-wheeler through impossibly tight corners. John explored his musical talents by picking up the accordion and organ, and contributing his second tenor voice to the Ambassador’s male chorus for many years. Ever the pragmatist, there was little he couldn’t fix with a vice grip, hammer and a spike. As a devoted servant of the church, John faithfully served as deacon, ministered to long-term care residents and is fondly remembered as ‘Big John’ by the Friendship Group. John’s family will receive visitors on Friday, January 26, 2024 from 7 pm – 9 pm at First Hamilton Christian Reformed Church, 181 Charlton Avenue West, Hamilton, ON. A funeral service will be held (and live-streamed) on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 10 am at First Hamilton Christian Reformed Church, 181 Charlton Avenue West, Hamilton, ON, followed by refreshments and a family interment. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Cancer Assistance Program.
Peacefully on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, Patricia Joanne (Hunter) Atkinson passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Loved and loving mother of Beth. Pat was predeceased by her husband James, infant son Daniel, her parents Allan and Elizabeth Hunter and brother Brian Hunter.
She is survived by her sister Susan Hill (late Jim), her niece Patricia and nephews Ted (Liz), Chris, Wes (Martina) and Dale.
Pat was a dedicated employee of St. Joseph’s Villa for thirty years and a Guider for forty years with the 1st Greensville unit. She will be fondly remembered by all those whose lives she touched.
One of Pat’s greatest pleasures was crafting plastic canvas creations that she gifted to family and friends.
Visitation will be held at Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main St., Dundas on Sunday January 28th, 2:00 P.M.- 4:00 P.M., and funeral service will be held Monday January 29th, at Christ Church, 92 HWY 8, Dundas at 11:00 A.M..
Joan passed away on January 20th, at the age of 93, from complications of Alzheimer’s. She will be dearly missed by her loving husband, Ken, her children Cheryl Hoffmann and Cameron (Julia), her four grandchildren, Leda Hoffmann (Katherine Simon), Paul Hoffmann (Annie Collier), Chloe (Alex Nelson) and Alexa (Alex Konjikusic), and the many people whose lives she touched over the years. She is predeceased by her brother Walter Tennant (Sylvia).
A woman of her time, Joan was a devoted wife and mother, had a long teaching career and was involved in many community activities. Joan was born in Hamilton and grew up on Tragina Ave N. She attended Delta Collegiate where she excelled at everything she did and captured the heart of Ken at the age of 16! Joan and Ken recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. She will forever be his “high school sweetheart”.
Joan taught for more than 30 years in the Hamilton Board of Education. Respected by her peers, she was selected to speak on behalf of the retiring teachers in 1987. “Mrs Hall” will be remembered best for introducing Grade 1 students to the joys of reading. She loved to hear stories from her former students as they made their way in the world. Joan took advantage of every opportunity to pass on her love of learning to her own children and grandchildren, as well as any child who crossed her path. In 1969 she graduated from McMaster University as a “mature” student, taking night classes while teaching and tending to her family. Later, she achieved an MA in Education from Niagara University.
As a mother and grandmother, Joan instilled a love of words in us, often praising us, in her beautiful handwriting, for accomplishments from cleaning up our rooms to crossing the monkey bars. She painted Christmas cards for her family and included expressions of love that we will treasure always. In later years, Joan’s role in the McMaster Alumni Gallery was to apply the words of famous people to the accomplishments of inductees. It has been particularly difficult to watch Alzheimer’s steal her ability to use her words, through which she once conveyed such poetry.
Joan diligently volunteered for many organizations, including Spartan Track and Field Club, the Dundas Historical Museum as a board member, the Stoney Creek Battlefield House, the McMaster Alumni Association, the Giant’s Rib Association and many more. Over the years, she knit for preemies, proofread newsletters, learned to paint, gave talks at the Dundas Women’s Travel Group, curled and had a full-time role supporting all of Ken’s many community outreach projects. Joan’s life was rich in responsibilities, caring, and a great deal of happiness.
Joan loved to travel the world (especially when she could visit her grandchildren). She also enjoyed time spent at the cottage, built by her father on Orr Lake. She spent many a summer there orchestrating the visits of friends and family. As she guided each of her grandchildren, in turn, to join in family board games, she created a pattern of love and acceptance and left a warmth that will live in our hearts forever.
The family would like to thank the kind people at Amica Dundas, and especially the staff of Memory Care, for their compassionate support. Thank you to all of you who have helped us through this time with friendship and love.
Cremation has taken place. There will be a visitation on Monday, January 29th 2-4pm at Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main St, Dundas. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the “Dr Ken Hall and Joan Hall Endowment Fund” at McMaster University in support of Joan’s passion for education.
It is with great sadness that we, the family of Mark Scargall, have to announce that he passed away in his sleep on January 19th, 2024. He will be lovingly missed by his wife of 36 years Susan Scargall ; his children Alanna Michelle , Mike Scargall, Bryan Scargall (Aimee), and Bobbie Lynn Scargall (Tom) ; grandchildren, Erich, Ella, Damien and Gwen; his mother Patricia Scargall; his sister Lisa Eves – Burton (David) , Scott Scargall and all his numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in laws and friends. He was born in Hamilton, ON and grew up in Dundas, ON where he played on many sports teams and went to St. Mary’s high school. We will be having a Celebration of Life that will be announced at a later date.
