Left this earth peacefully and of natural causes to join her beloved husband, Domenico, the love of her life, on July 27th in her 95th year. They were married for 60 devoted years prior to his passing in 2013. Clorinda is survived by her daughters, in her words her “nuggets of gold,” Loretta DiFrancesco and Sue DePaulo, son-in-law Gary, her “brick of gold,” grandchildren Mark (Kristy), Michael (Vanessa) and Marissa, great-grandchildren Violet, Matthew and McKenzie and brother Dario in Italy. Our Mom was defined by her abundance of love for her family, and for everyone, she always had an instant smile and was always willing to help. She was so kind and selfless and a truly good person, loved by everyone. She was an amazing woman and we are so blessed to have had such a wonderful role model as our mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. A special thank you to St. Joseph’s Villa for their last three years of care. Funeral Mass will be at St. Augustine’s Church, Dundas at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 31st, followed by interment at St. Augustine’s Cemetery. Mom, we love you so much, Sue and Loretta.
On July 6th, Audrie sustained a massive stroke from which there would be no recovery. She died peacefully one day after her 91st birthday at the Hamilton General having received compassionate care.
Audrie was born to Molly and Arthur Robbins on July 8,1930 in Toronto ON. She attended Danforth Technical Secondary School and studied to become a hair dresser. She went on to start her career at Holt Renfrew’s beauty salon. Audrie met Robert, a navy veteran, and they had a fun-filled courtship and married on June 30,1951.
Robert was a working partner in the H. Sherlock and Son Plumbing and Heating business and soon Mom became the secretary and bookkeeper of the business.
Mom and Dad grew their family together over the next six years. Bonnie (Rev. Dr. Don) Donaghey, Kenneth (Jane) Sherlock, Barbara (Don) Moreau. As the years passed five grandchildren were added to our family tree Robb, Amy, Lil, Christopher and Leeann and then seven great -grandchildren.
She enjoyed the game of golf especially with her Dad and friends in Myrtle Beach, her winter home. She and Dad were married for 54 years and had a good retirement together.
Mom was an excellent cook and enjoyed entertaining friends in her home. Hospitality was important to both Mom and Dad. Mom even wrote a recipe column in a weekly newspaper and Dad fell victim to the Sherlock “test kitchen”.
Mom volunteered for CAS as a driver, made gallons of soup for the “Blessings” dinners at Knox Dundas, and enjoyed photography and cardmaking hobbies. Her home on Newcombe Road became too much for her and she craved the companionship of other active seniors. She moved to the Meadowlands Retirement in Ancaster. Mom loved it there so much! She jumped in with two feet and participated to the max. She became the resident photographer and storyteller for the Sunday morning worship services, and was a very opinionated representative on various committees. Our sincere thanks for the love and care shown to our Mom from ALL Meadowlands staff.
A private family graveside service will be held on July 29, 2021.
Peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 in her 99th year. Beloved wife of the late Edward William Hopkins (1993). Loving mother to Bill (Brenda), Kirk (Gerry), Karen (Garry) Condon, Jim (Jan), Liz (Ted) Biros, David (Pam), Hilary (Gerard) Rozon. Caring grandmother to Jackie, Jane, Cindy, Jenn, Andrea, Sonya, Shawn (predeceased), Maggie, Tyler, Jordan, Robin, Jean Luc, 17 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Margaret was a life-long learner, avid reader, golfer, bridge player, volunteer and she loved to travel. She was a committed mom and spouse. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society, CNIB, or St. Joseph’s Villa.
Helen passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning with both daughters by her side. Helen was predeceased by husband William (2005) and her parents Ruth Emily Andrus Putt and Leslie Thomas Dart. She will be very much missed by daughters Rosemary (Paul) and Lois (Frank) and grandsons Joshua and Zachary who were a great joy in her life. Helen was born and grew up on Hamilton’s East Mountain. After high school, Helen became a switchboard operator with The Bell. She enjoyed her time at The Bell as a “Bell Girl” and made some lifelong friends there. Helen eventually returned to the switchboard at Eaton’s, McMaster University Medical Centre , and retired from the former Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital. One of Helen’s favourite adventures in her twenties was the 1952 bicycle trip she made with the Hamilton Hostel Association from Jasper to Banff. Her trip through the Rockies was one of the highlights of her life and from that trip she developed a lifelong love of the Rockies. After a time of travel, Helen was ready to settle down on the West Mountain in the family home where she lived for 58 years. Helen was a member of St. Andrew’s United Church where she was a member of the UCW and taught Sunday School. Helen’s life was filled with hobbies. She loved to sew and do needlework. She took classes at Mohawk College and through the Embroiderers Guild to develop those skills. Genealogy was Helen’s passion. She spent many hours researching and meticulously documenting the family tree. Every story had to be backed with documented evidence. Helen and Bill spent many hours in Canada, the United States and Britain seeking out family connections. Helen’s legacy to the family is her record of centuries of family history. Helen was a fiercely, independent person and that personality trait was strong till the end. During the last couple of months of Helen’s life, she lived out the words, “eat the chocolate, drink the wine”, as those two treats kept her going as she lost interest in eating. The family would like to thank the wonderful, caring Nursing and PSW staff in the Cedar Grove home area of St. Joseph’s Villa for taking such good care of Helen during her final year of life. The family would especially like to extend our gratitude to Nurse Alison for her ongoing care and support throughout this Covid time. Helen said that she would like to help local children with limited resources because she was one once. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, donations to Food4Kids Hamilton or City Kidz would be appreciated by the family.
Tragically, after a brief illness, we are saddened to announce Bill’s passing on Thursday, July 8, 2021. He was a devoted and loving husband to Lorraine for 46 years; a loving father to Leanne Fraser (Ryan Crossman) and loving grandfather to Aubree Noonan, Owyn Noonan, Grayson Noonan and Cooper Fraser-Crossman. Predeceased by his parents George and Grace and brother Donald. He will be sadly missed by many family and relatives who knew him well and by many friends and neighbours in St. George. He was Lorraine’s and Leanne’s strength, he knew how to do everything. He loved the outdoors, loved his hobbies and the cottage which was his “happy place”. At this time Bill will be cremated and we will bring him back home to rest with Lorraine, Leanne and the family until the time of burial at a later date. If you so wish, donations to the Canadian Mental Health Association would be appreciated by the family.
