Jan 14, 2021 |
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing on January 12, 2021, of our beloved sister Mary Elizabeth (Donald) Calamai in her 77th year at the Juravinski Hospital. She was cared for by brother Rick and sister Patsy and the wonderful caring staff at the hospital especially Nathan, Shawnee, Joy, Natalie, Lauren and Dr. Raza. Mary was an avid world traveler having lived in London, Nairobi, Washington D.C., Vancouver and Ottawa as she accompanied her husband Peter at his various postings with Southam News. In later years they delighted in travelling together with a group of friends from University affectionately referred to as “The Dorking Dozen”. Mary moved to Stratford with Peter in 2016 to spend their retirement, closer to friends and the theatre that they loved. She was an avid Theater goer who actively fostered the same love in her many young nieces and nephews, treating them and their parents to an annual trip to the Stratford Festival since 1996. Mary was a collector of many things, with a special interest in beautiful fabrics, china and ephemera. She loved good food especially when accompanied by close friends and family, and a glass of white wine. Mary enjoyed spending time at the family cottage and was able to enjoy one last summer there in 2020. Mary is predeceased by her husband Peter Calamai, her parents Lt. Col. H. L. (Bud) and Frances Donald, her nephew Alex and her brother-in-law Doug McArthur. She is survived by her siblings Margaret McArthur, Jim Donald, Joe Donald (Sherree), Sue Rooney (Jim), Patsy Donald (Kevin McTiernan), Mike Donald (Mary Ann) and Rick Donald (Rose). She is also survived by brother in laws Michael Calamai and Paul Calamai (Kathy Sharpe). She will be missed dearly by her many nieces and nephews, Keith McArthur (Laura Williams), Liane Netherton, Fiona McArthur (Andrew Popov), Jennifer Cote (Jacob), Joe Rooney (Carly Howard), Stephanie McArthur, Jessica Donald (Mark Carolan), Christine Armstrong (Jeff), Tim Donald (Kirsty), Steve Donald (Marcy), Jenna Donald, Ashley Donald (Lee Pelham), Patrick Donald (Chelsea) and Christopher Donald. Mary also loved spending time with her great nieces and nephews, Lauryn, Josh and Izzy Cote, Samantha Netherton, Connor and Bryson McArthur, Neva and Meara Popov, Nicholas and Madeline Armstrong, Matthew Donald and Madison Donald. She will also be remembered by her Calamai nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Mary leaves behind a close group of friends, many of whom she has known for nearly six decades. There will be a Memorial Mass and Celebration of life at a later date. In lieu flowers the family asks for donations to the Cure GRIN Foundation.
Canadian donors get tax receipt through partnership with University of Toronto:https://donate.utoronto.ca/give/show/552
US / International donors: https://curegrinfoundation.salsalabs.org/fundraising/index.html
About GRIN Disorder:
https://curegrin.org/what-is-grin-disorder/
Jan 14, 2021 |
Walker, Martha Margaret (Betty) (nee Whyte) – passed away peacefully at Hamilton General Hospital in her 91st year on January 7, 2021. Beloved by her daughter Irene (Ray), grandsons David (Lori) and Matthew (Orsha) and great grandchildren, Brooke, Kade, Shae, Seth, Vaughn and Tage. Predeceased by her beloved husband of 69 years, Jimmy, in 2020.
Betty, also known as Nana Nana, spent her life taking care of people – her siblings when she was younger, and Jimmy and Irene, and her growing family later on. She was a strong personality, filled with kindness and love for all of her family, and was the bond that held together distant nephews and brothers and sisters through all the tough times and the good times and crises of the near and extended family. Betty was a hardworking and feisty woman, but most of all, she taught all of us what unconditional love means. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
In her working years, Betty did secretarial work. In retirement she was an avid volunteer with The Huntington Society, and Hamilton’s Out of the Cold program. For years she enjoyed daily water exercises at the YWCA. She created beautiful works of art with her crocheted blankets and handmade Father Christmases. Her self taught upholstery skills were professional quality – between her curtain making and reupholstering of chairs and couches, she could have been an interior decorator. She was a person of many skills.
Special thanks to the staff at Aberdeen Gardens, and visiting wound care nurses, who took such good care of her in her last years.
Cremation has taken place. Due to the current COVID restrictions, a celebration of life will take place at a later date. Should you wish to make a donation in Betty’s name, please consider Mission Services of Hamilton https://mission-services.com/
Dec 28, 2020 |
August 4, 1934 to December 25, 2020
Sadly, on Christmas Day, in her 86th year, Nan passed away at St. Joseph’s Villa in Dundas, Ontario. Nan will be reunited with her husband and soul mate Stan, who passed away in May 1996. Much loved mother of Martin (Peg) and Linda (Doug) and grandmother of Heather and Thomas, Nan was born and raised in the Bannfoot, Portadown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. Nan is survived by her sisters Maria, Olive, Myrtle and Eileen and her brother John all of whom reside still, in Northern Ireland.
As a young woman, Nan worked in a sewing factory in Portadown for several years before deciding to move to England to look for work. While there she met Stanley Hunter and in due course they were married and started a family. The next step in their life adventure together was a move to Canada which became permanent except for one short return move back to England. Once settled back in Canada, Stan worked as a structural engineer while Nan focussed on raising the children and maintaining the home along with doing some occasional domestic work outside the home. She was skilled at keeping a spotless and organized home.
After Stan died in 1996 Nan was on her own. A difficult year. In 1997 when her son and his wife decided to move to Canmore, Alberta they asked Nan if she wanted to join them. She responded with a resounding “Yes!” This became a typical response from Nan in the coming years. She was always willing to take that next step if there was someone to take it with her. The three of them lived in Alberta for 5 1/2 years and then moved to Vancouver Island for 8 1/2 years before returning to Ontario to live in Dundas. While living in Alberta and on Vancouver Island Nan did some volunteering in senior’s care on the Long Term Care Unit at the Canmore Hospital and at Cairnsmore Place an Extended Care Facility in Duncan, BC. Wherever she went she was fast to make friends. She learned everybody’s names and had the gift of being an excellent listener. So many people she befriended described her as sweet and kind.
Nan’s stay at St. Joseph’s Villa in Dundas began just over 3 1/2 years ago. In that time she managed to build many new relationships with staff and fellow residents. We loved so much how the staff appreciated her for who she was. She was treated with kindness, dignity and respect. As her health deteriorated, they provided gentle, competent support. We will be forever grateful to them for this.
A special mention must be made of Eleanor and Earl Somerville and their daughter Lisa from Portadown, N. Ireland. Eleanor (Nan’s niece) and her family took Nan on many trips to Florida and visited her and us in Canada every two years, keeping Nan well connected with her Irish family. Also deserving of special mention for their love and support of Nan are Susan Scriver Kenel and Connie and Len Wickens of Dundas. They entertained her and contributed to her happiness in so very many ways.
Cremation has taken place and Nan will be interred with her husband at Halton Hills Memorial Gardens in Burlington. Hopefully, sometime in 2021 a celebration of life with family and friends can take place. If so desired a donation to the Ontario SPCA or to the Saint Joseph’s Villa Foundation in Dundas would be appreciated.
Dec 18, 2020 |
March 21, 1955 – December 16, 2020
Peacefully at home with family members present, Janine passed from us, ending a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer. Beloved wife of Fletcher G. Hunt (m. June 30, 1978) and mother to James, William, Gordon, Rebecca (husband Sylvain Boudreau), Charles (Sheridan) and Tara (husband Joel Vienneau) – a role model and inspiration to all whose paths she crossed, but especially to her husband, children and six grandchildren.
Predeceased by parents Leonard and Emily (nee Kallio) Booher, step-father Lloyd Workentine and by sister Shaline and brother-in-law Salah Adam who, along with children Joshua and Rebecca, were taken tragically as a result of the Air Egypt crash in 1999. Survived by brothers Rodney (Joy), Raymond (Debbie) and sister Nella (Randy) Lall.
Janine was a graduate of The University of Calgary, where she majored in The Humanities. Her life-long love of music and the care she consistently showed for young people combined, in recent years, to give Hamiltonians a highly thought of and cherished teacher, with certification as a specialist in piano and the music of Carl Orff.
A private family Service will take place with interment to follow in Grove Cemetery, Dundas, Ontario. Donations to a charity of choice, in Janine’s name, would be appreciated by the family.
“I believe that the mystery of the beautiful in nature and art is a sensible reflection of the mystery of faith.”
Simone Weil
Dec 17, 2020 |
Of Dundas, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Villa in her 96th year. Born on April 27, 1925 she is predeceased by her parents Murray and Grace Crockett, and by her brother Jim and sister-in-law Barb. A genuine person, she was someone who dearly loved and treasured her family and friends throughout her life. She enjoyed and was fulfilled by her career as a Special Education teacher with the Hamilton Wentworth School Board for many years. As someone who cheered for the underdog, fought for the marginalized, loved all creatures great and small, she shared what she had with those in need. She will be missed by many, remembered by those whose life she impacted, and welcomed by those she loved who have gone on ahead. We celebrate her life, and are thankful she was in ours. Private cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers it was her wish that donations be made to the Hamilton Burlington SPCA, Doctors Without Borders, or Amnesty International. A memorial service will be held in her honor when the time comes that we can gather together again.
