Passed away peacefully at Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice, Hamilton, ON., February 28, 2021 at the age of 82. Born Kenneth James Alkerton at Casa Maria (St. Josephs Hospital), Hamilton, Ken left behind his family and many close friends and he will be lovingly missed by all who knew him well. Predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Catharine Alkerton, Ken will be remembered by his family, Karolin Alkerton (daughter), Doug Scheer (son), Pat and family; brothers, Arthur (Art) and partner Jack, Michael (Mike) Alkerton and Joan, and youngest sister Brenda MacLeod and Barrie; predeceased by sister Christine Mormul (Ron); grandsons, Kieran and Tristan Alkerton; nieces Michele (Mimi) Karen, Barbara, Lisa; nephews Steven (predeceased), David; first wife Charlotte and Ken’s partner Recia (predeceased); life long friend and RCAF veteran Peter Holroyd and Angie. Ken lead a storied life full of his love for jazz music and knowledge of it, travel and bad jokes. He was a marching band member during his time in the RCAF and is a veteran of 2 Fighter Wing Grostenquin, France. Ken found his calling after retirement as a Chemical Technologist and Quality Control Manager, where his passion for Craft Beer lead him to continue working in a brewery lab and lots of taste-testing! He will be deeply missed by his many friends, colleagues and associates in Cambridge and will have left a special place in many hearts.Thank you to all the fabulously kind healthcare providers, nurses, administrators and volunteers at Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice. In lieu of flowers donations to the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice in memory of Kenneth Alkerton are greatly appreciated.
77, of Hamilton, passed away unexpectedly at home on February 25, 2021. Wayne is missed and survived by his daughter Lisa Syms (Norman MacNeil) and son Michael Syms; partner Lynda Fletcher-Hanley and sister Christina Begley. In his youth, Wayne served with the Royal Canadian Engineers. For most of his career he worked at Stelco/Canadian Drawn Steel. At the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 36 in Dundas he was well known for his snooker playing prowess. Wayne will be remembered for his quick wit and sarcastic nature. Friends will be received by the family on Tuesday afternoon from 5 – 7 p.m., by signing up online only on the funeral home website. All covid-19 regulations will apply. Wayne’s family will be holding a private Service following visitation. If you so wish, donations to the Royal Canadian Legion or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. Cremation has taken place and an interment will be held at a later date. Please share a memory of Wayne or leave a message of condolence for his family at www.turnerfamilyfuneralhome.ca
Was born on May 26, 1925 in one of the beautiful northern provinces of the Philippines named Solano Vizcaya. A city with rich and lushious nature, and several national parks with eco tourism, and lovely people who are hospitable, kind and hardworking. Since Spaniards were governors in the past, it had influenced the culture and language as well. Juanita lived with her parents and siblings Andres, Antonio and Julita. Unfortunately she lost her father at a young age. After a few years her mother Margarita remarried, and through that she gained two more siblings, Junior and Victoria.
Juanita grew as an independent and strong young lady, as she pursued a bachelor degree in education, she began working as a high school history teacher. Probably this was creating the path she would have begun for the future. She met a young handsome gentleman, Mr. Olympio Ventura Ancheta, who was the chief of the US surplus in the Philippines. They fell in love and decided to start a new life together in marriage. Juanita and Olympio were gifted with three daughters, Elizabeth, Corazon and Judith and Olympio Junior, their son. She left teaching and became employed at the YMCA. She was so passionate about her community work that not so long she became the Community Administrative Officer, and during her time as an officer some of her plans were achieved:
1. Family Planning was introduced to young women. They were educated and empowered in starting their family and awareness of their healthcare and childcare. 2. National Cottage Industries Development (NASIDA), introducing and training ladies how to weave bags with natural materials, paper macheas, hand made natural decoratives and crafts. 3. Kindergarten for children in Quezon City communities 4. Leadership programs for high school students, through seminars and annual meetings, camping, trainings. 5. Sports such as swimming and basketball, and organizing tournaments. 6. Outreaches: free infant milk, clothes, feeding sessions in indigent areas.
In 1977 her first grandchild was born from her beloved eldest daughter Elizabeth, which made them all happy and joyful; their migration to Canada took place the same year. A new chapter of Juanita’s life began. In Canada they lived in Hamilton, Juanita and Olympio had happy news of their second coming grandchild, from their beloved daughter Corazon who lived in the same city with her husband.
Community work never stopped for the couple. In a short period of time, they pioneered and established the first Filipino school in Ontario and this led to organizing Hamilton’s Filipino community, which held many activities like filipino folk dancing, beauty pageants, outreaches and many more. She made the costumes for the dance group. Juanita’s skills were so good that she sewed a wedding gown for her beloved daughter Judith, which she has kept dear to this very day.
Everyone has a principal in life, Junita’s was : “ Charity starts from home” And truly, love and charity starts from practicing it with your loved ones, relatives close or distant as it always overflows beyond.
Having a keen eye for the goodness in a person, she would express her appreciation to everyone in her special way by calling them beautiful, charming, etc. She and her husband knew how to put a smile to a person’s face. She was most famous for her sweet sense of humour, and he was for his great penmanship. Their son Junior/Jun has inherited both of these attributes.
Juanita and her husband both enjoyed traveling. The adventure would probably bring new ideas for their next projects. While traveling they would look for relatives in that country or city, and made sure they have a mini reunion together. This comes from them valuing family ties and relationships, which they passed on to their children and grandchildren.
A beautiful life lived with faith in Christ, and the knowledge that God’s love endures forever, is one of the values and manners passed to her 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Jean was born to Nellie (Betzner) and Ralph Sheldon Murray of Dundas, Ontario. She was the younger sister to Marguerite. Her early years were spent growing up in Dundas where her father was principal of Central Public School. She had lots of fun with her friend Peggy and cousin Mary-Pat. The family moved briefly to North Bay, Ontario, but returned to Dundas following the death of her father. Jean was a proud teacher for most of her working life focusing on elementary education and later as an ESL teacher. When she started teaching she only needed a certificate, but by the mid seventies she knew that to improve her income and job potential she needed a university degree and attended McMaster part-time while holding down a full time job and being a single mom. One of her proudest moments was getting her bachelor degree.
With her first husband, Walker Coveyduck, they welcomed their son, David Sean, in 1967. She returned to teaching in the Hamilton region until her retirement in 1997. In 1989 she married John Browne and they resided in Oakville until John’s passing in 2011. She then returned to her beloved Dundas, where she lived out her golden years. Even while she lived in Oakville she regularly came to Dundas to see friends. Jean volunteered at the Dundas Museum, helping to preserve the town’s history of Dundas and that of her family. In 2017, she moved to Amica Dundas, and as her dementia progressed she ultimately moved into the Memory Care area.
Jean loved to read, knit, watercolor paint, listen to music and enjoyed being around her beloved friends and family the most. While David was growing up Jean and her mom would love to take long road trips across Canada and the US to visit family and friends. They had some great adventures!
Jean is survived by her son David Sean Murray (Shelley) of Calgary and their sons Benjamin and Carson; stepdaughter Valerie (George) of Toronto, and their sons Leo and Paul; and stepdaughter Caroline (Bob) of Toronto. Her nieces Julie Port (Dan) of Calgary, Joni (Fred) of Lacey, Washington, and nephew Tom (Gillian) Johnson (Kamloops, B.C.) plus numerous great nieces and nephews, and family members on the Betzner side.
Jean was predeceased by her father Ralph, mother Nellie, sister Marguerite, brother-in-law Bob Johnston and her husband John Browne.
The Family would like to thank Vera and her wonderful Memory Care team, especially Alanah of whom Jean was particularly fond, and Doctor Macaluso for their wonderful care. Lastly, words cannot describe the wonderful friendship and support from Mary Welsh over more than 50 years, especially in the last few as Jean’s health declined. Mary was one of mom’s longest and dearest friends, and a second-mom to David. Thank you Mary.
A celebration of life is intended once COVID-19 allows us to travel. Cremation has occurred and interment will occur in the family plot in Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Donkey Sanctuary in Guelph, Ontario, or the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.
God has called home His precious child, Tjitske (Jessie) Jacoba Verduyn. Jessie was born in Dokkum, Netherlands May 11, 1934 and died February 22, 2021 in her 87th year in Dundas, Ontario. Predeceased by her loving husband, John in 2003. Lovingly remembered by her children and grandchildren: Lawrence – Shondra, Laura and Darryl; Lloyd (Tami) – Zak and Kaitlyn (predeceased 2019); Dorothy (Ron) – John, Stephanie and Janica; Robert (Hettie) – Trevor and Chris; Simon (Elsie) – Jonathan, Dulcie and Shane; and her 14 great-grandchildren. Sadly missed by her siblings: her twin sister, Dorris, Margaret, Ann (John), Jack (Joyce), Olga (Rick) and Tony (Donna) and predeceased by both brothers Eddie, sister Corrie and in-laws Henry and Sam. Private family Service will be held on Friday at 2:00 p.m. at Turner Family Funeral Home. To join Jessie’s livestreamed Service, please see her obituary on the funeral home website. In lieu of flowers, donations to Cystic Fibrosis Canada would be appreciated by the family. Special thanks to the staff at St. Joseph’s Villa for their excellent care and compassion.
