It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lesley on February 13th, 2026, at the age of 86. Born in Strood, Kent, England. Predeceased by parents, Norman and Mary Stedman, her loving husband, Brian (2006) and sister, Shirley (2024). Loving and proud mother to Kelvin (Hillary), Vanessa (Rick), and Fraser. Wonderful and loving Nana to Mathew. She will be missed by brother Christopher (Susan), their families and all relatives in England. Lesley immigrated to Canada in 1965 with Brian.
Lesley enjoyed playing tennis, going hiking and Scottish country dancing. She volunteered her time giving tours of McMaster University campus and was active in the McMaster women’s hiking group.
Thank you to all the nurses, PSW’s support, and health care providers, especially the ladies at Right at Home, throughout Lesley’s journey. She was a great supporter and canvasser of many charities. In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
A visitation will take place at Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main St, Dundas, on Friday, February 20th, 2026, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
It is with deep sadness that the family of Nicholas announces his passing on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at Juravinski Hospital, Hamilton at the age of 87years. Beloved husband of 60 years to Albina (2022). Loving father of Bill (Karen), Laurie, Jeffery (Christina), Nick Jr. (Stefphani), Michael (2024) Elaine, Paul (Brian), Tanya (Gary), and Victoria. Proud and devoted Grandpa of nineteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. Predeceased by his parents Emma and Kuprian , and by his wife Albina (2022), his son Michael (2024) grandson Brennan (2018). Forever remembered by his sister Alex and brother Len. He will be sadly missed by many relatives and friends. Friends and family will be received on Monday, February 16th from 6-8p.m. and Tuesday, February 17th from 12-2p.m. at Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main St. Dundas. Prayers to take place at 1:30p.m. A Burial at Woodland Cemetery will take place immediately following.
Nancy Haalboom (née Burden) died suddenly on February 3rd, 2026. She was 79 years old. Nancy leaves behind her children, Adam Haalboom (Lena Dianda), Bethany Haalboom (Tim Bryant), and three grandchildren, Madaleine, Charlotte, and Alex. She also leaves behind her younger brother, Bill (Jill), her nieces, Leila (Paul Nixon), Julia (Pete Walker), and nephew Robert.
Nancy graduated from Westdale High School in Hamilton. Always a chatty student, a former teacher expressed dryly that she was an “albatross around his neck”, a literary allusion no modern high school student would appreciate. A lifelong Hamiltonian, sometimes even proudly, she also graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Much later she obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Wilfred Laurier University. At the time, she was a single parent working at the Children’s Aid Society in Hamilton, a job that she could not say she loved, but one which allowed her to be financially independent when she and her husband separated with two young children. Education was very important to Nancy. She was so pleased when Bethany graduated from Duke University with a PhD. She delighted in talking about former professors, particularly her English professors, and she projected an appreciation for literature that helped inspire Adam to pursue literary studies in university. That being said, she never attained all that she thought she could have for herself either educationally or vocationally, and did not shy away from candid reflections that underscored that resentment. In her old age, she could have played a film version of Hagar from one of her favourite books, The Stone Angel, with tragic appeal.
Nancy’s fondest memories were from her childhood vacations at a summer cottage on Lake Muskoka. There she spent time with her brother Bill, her imposing mother, Isabel Burden, an elementary school teacher, her father, William Burden, a WWII veteran and elementary school principal, and their perpetually cranky cocker spaniel, Frisky. She would often relate stories about her adventures with her brother and cottage neighbours, such as when a young John Elwell threw her toothbrush in the lake after they had an argument. Her brother Bill, seeing this, knocked on the door of John’s cottage and asked his mother if he could look over John’s baseball card collection, which he proceeded to calmly dump in the lake. Her time in the Muskokas as a child produced a lifelong love of the near north, and one of her proudest achievements was purchasing her humble cottage on Wolf Lake north of Dorset, Ontario, which she could barely afford.
Due to a gift a few years ago from her niece, Julia, Nancy was prompted to write a family history that would become a self-published book. She spent many hours compiling stories and researching her ancestors to write the book. She was gratified with the final result, if not with her ancestors, which allowed her to commit to print her family’s story.
Nancy lived most of her adult life in Dundas, and cherished her long walks in the Dundas Conservation Area with her cocker spaniel, Prince, until he became senile and she accidentally ran him over. Her third cocker spaniel, the one-eyed Emma, was one of her closest companions, who thankfully died peacefully beside her in the passenger seat of her Pontiac Sunfire.
Nancy thrived on travelling, particularly to exotic destinations like Suriname and New Zealand with Bethany. In her adult years, those experiences and her time watching her grandchildren grow up shaped some of her most treasured memories.
Finally, Nancy absolutely loved her neighbourhood. She enjoyed visiting with her neighbours, particularly Beatrice (‘Bea’) who Nancy cherished for her unwavering support and kindness. She adored Dundas and living beside the Conservation Area, and so it was no surprise that she refused to leave her home, “except in a body bag”—which she did.
Fortunately, Nancy remained lucid throughout her life, holding onto precious memories, her often caustic and morbid wit playing along in accompaniment. May she have found an eternally receptive audience for her sardonic opinions and stories, wherever she may have landed. She will be missed.
Cremation has taken place. A private memorial service will be held in June around the time of Nancy’s birthday.
Unexpectedly, on Thursday afternoon while at work, Ryan Stephen Crossman, at the young age of 45 passed away. He leaves behind his life partner Leanne Fraser, children Aubree (17), Ella (16), Owyn (15), Grayson (14), and son together, Cooper (6). His mother Elly Crossman and father Doug Crossman (predeceased). Mother in law Lorraine Fraser and father in law Bill Fraser (predeceased). Brother to Sheila Busch (Tom), Rob Crossman, Paul Crossman ( Zora), Gary Dendekker (Jen), Sherry Tizzard (Tracy). Many Aunts, Uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, co-workers and friends.
Ryan wore many hats, a jack of all trades kind of guy, if you will. He used to say “if you don’t find me handsome you will always find me handy “. As his wife, I was fortunate to think of him as both handsome and handy. His youngest son Cooper (6) refers to him as “the hulk” and it couldn’t be more true.
Ryan was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario. Ryan’s younger years were spent playing hockey and baseball. He came from a large family and often reminisced about his large family gatherings and how he enjoyed them.
Ryan was very fond of working outdoors and puttering around outside. In the summer months he would spend several hours cutting the grass, perhaps a quiet time to himself. He had a great love for the northern life and enjoyed his vacations at the family cottage on Mcquaby Lake. His new enjoyment was going out with his son Grayson Atv’ing on our neighbours trails. To be honest it wasn’t too often you would see Ryan taking any down time for himself.
Ryan was an exceptionally hard worker, something he recalled learning from his father. Through his work at Ambler and Co., Ryan was a union member of the local 793. From supervising his crew working at Dofasco through Ambler and Co., Night shifts at Stelco, and coming home every night after a long day to care for his wife, children and his home he was so proud of. Not to be forgotten by his beloved pets. Dolly the family dog who would greet Ryan at home every evening and never leave his side.
Ryan’s mark on the world will never be forgotten. if you were lucky enough to be in his small circle of family and friends, you knew he had your back and would help in anyway. As Ryan’s spouse I feel honoured and blessed to have spent the last 10 years with him . He was not only my life partner and father to my children, but him and I were truly best friends and did everything together. His strength and determination will be honoured by many and live on through his children.
Ryan I hope you are enjoying a Rye (Wisers) and Coke with my dad and yours reminiscing once again.
A Service for Ryan will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas, with reception to follow next door at the Cattel Centre.
Jimmie passed away peacefully with dignity at Shalom Village. Cherished brother of Michael Ducar (Myra) of Australia. Predeceased by siblings, Anne Ducar, Helene Halbländer, and Basil William Ducar. Dearest uncle of Brian Mandula (Sheila), Michael Mandula (Margaret), Therese Halbländer, Craig Halbländer-Smyth (Julia), John Halbländer (Marcia) and their families. Survived and loved by many grand nieces and nephews.
Jimmie loved his garden and spectating various sports, especially his beloved Tiger-Cats. He enjoyed the outdoors, loved to ski, and played a variety of team sports including baseball, volleyball, curling and bowling. He was very active at the Sackville Hill Senior Centre and enjoyed the many activities there. He was a skilled tailor and a renowned haberdasher.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to Shalom Village and their wonderful staff.
A visitation will be held at Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas, on Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. A Greek Orthodox vigil will be held at 7:30 p.m., with a livestream available. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Slovak Byzantine Catholic Church, at 11:00 a.m., with a burial to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Royal Botanical Gardens.
With strength of will, faith and love mixed with her trademark Irish humour, our mom- Betty (Elizabeth) Young (Wilton) peacefully reunited with our dad – her much missed partner in life and dance Ed Young – on January 27th, 2026.
As always mom was surrounded by her loving family who will grieve her loss while taking comfort in the fact that her battle with COPD and chronic pain is over and she can finally sing and dance to the music she loved and constantly had playing in the background. We will honour and remember mom according to the sentiment of an excerpt from a poem she liked: “’Forget that I ever had heartache – and remember I had loads of fun”
Throughout her life mom liked nothing better than an impromptu get together and was famous for her ability to feed a crowd with no notice and only the contents of her kitchen. Her home was always clean, her fridge always full and the kettle was always on – or the bar was open – depending on the occasion. Mom was renowned for her ability to “Mcgyver” solutions to any problem – often leaving us in awe of her ingenuity. This determination may have been what helped her master use of the iPad to stay in touch, up to date and entertained when she was not able to be with us all- particularly during COVID.
An early believer in reuse/recycle, mom never threw anything away until it was beyond use – even then she was sure someone would be able to “get a trick out of it” if donated. Despite this, she was fond of refreshing her decor and dad often said Buckingham Palace would have no history if Betty had lived there.
Mom was a devoted granny who lit up when with or just talking about her grandchildren and great grandson. Thanks to her (and grampa) providing early day care, frequent sleepovers and family vacations, each grandchild is blessed with their own special memories of Granny that will bring them comfort and smiles throughout their lives. In more recent years, mom happily extended this same pride and affection to their loving partners.
Mom and dad left us with a lifetime of memories- and we were blessed to have been able to add some very special moments in the last two weeks. At one point, mom proudly shared that she and dad came to this country with nothing – and left with everything. Mom will be lovingly missed and remembered by everyone who came to know her and her beautiful smile, they were her everything: Her daughters and her devoted son-in-laws, each of whom had their own unique banter, tasks and relationship with mom: Lorraine Gassner (Young), Angela Young, Liz Young (Tony Naghten), and Edlyn Young (Dave Gubekjian).
Her grandchildren, whom she adored and were a huge source of pride and joy to her: Edward Gassner (Delia Couto), Eric Gassner (Meghan Gassner), Nigel Gubekjian (Tess Levy), Ruby Gubekjian (Patrick Hamani), and her great grandson, Theodore Couto Gassner. Also her bonus grandchildren, who generously shared their time and adventures whenever possible: Paul Naghten (Giselle Cudini) and Brian Naghten.
She will also be missed by her beloved sisters and brothers and their families: Sally McCormick, Margaret Hubbard, Roberta Young (Barry Young), Tucker Wilton, Robert Wilton (Wilma Wilton) and sister-in-law Ruth Mushing (Young), and all her other family and friends here, Ireland (North and South) and England. She loved her time with each of you.
We are thankful to the staff of St. Peter’s Hospital- Palliative Care Unit for their compassionate care of our mom during this time. Their support enabled us to focus on just being present with mom till the end.
A private funeral and burial will be held, celebration of life to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers please donate to Hamilton Out of the Cold.
