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.
With heavy hearts and deep love, we announce the passing of the world’s greatest mother and friend, Joan Margaret Pipe (nee Homer), on Thursday, January 18, 2024. Born in Hamilton on July 7, 1941, she passed peacefully at the home she cherished, surrounded by her family and her grand-dogs. Predeceased by her parents, Bob and Margaret Homer, and her sister, Merle, Joan was a loving mother to Janet (James), Jim (Donna) and Bob (Amy), and a wonderful grandmother to her many grandchildren: Jamie, Simon, Greg, Adam, Mathew, Sarah, Charlie, and Tommy. A wonderful friend and confidant, always able to offer kindness and wisdom over tea or wine, Joan was like another mother to many neighborhood families and to her own children’s friends. Greatly involved in her community of Rockton over her lifetime, she leaves more friends than we can possibly name here. Joan deeply valued her independence, and her family is thankful that she was able to pass as she lived, making her own decisions on her own terms. The family offers deep gratitude to the MAID team for their kindness and compassion. Joan enjoyed a life well-lived and well-loved and left no regrets. She was a crossword connoisseur who easily tackled the toughest puzzles, here’s one: a three-letter name for unconditional love and kindness: MOM.
A celebration of Joan’s life will be held from 2 – 4 pm on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Turner Funeral Home in Dundas, Ontario. A private ceremony for family will be held the Spring. In lieu of flowers, Joan has asked that monetary donations in her honour go to the Rockton Lions Club, as their support was essential in helping her remain independent when she faced (and conquered) recent mobility issues.
If you are reading this you will know that I was a compositor in the composing room at the Hamilton Spectator for 42 years., so I am the one composing this last story. I am predeceased in death by my father Frank and my mother Carolina, also my brother Val and sister Louise. I am also the brother of Helen & Elizabeth who will always be praying for me. To my children and their spouses, I say thank you, to all my grandchildren and great-grandchild, I will be looking out for you. To all my nieces and nephews, I will also be looking out for you all. To my gals at the restaurant, I thank you for taking care of a grumpy old man. For the guys and girls at the Casino, I thank you. I would like to thank Dr. Feng and her staff, for always taking care of me, I would also like to thank the Doctors and staff at the Juravinski, the Doctors and staff at Satellite, and also the Doctors and staff at the General. There will be no Funeral Service per my wishes. Please remember my stories and have a good laugh.
In loving memory of Paul Kennelly, who peacefully passed away on January 8th 2024. Beloved husband of Janet (nee Casali) and devoted father to Cheryl (John), Christopher (Victoria) and Monica (Christopher), a cherished grandfather, brought joy to his family and friends with his good sense of humor. He found solace in the outdoors and cherished his close bond with neighbours.
A special thank you to all the caring staff at Norfolk General Hospital, Paul’s PSWs and Elana from Home Health, who provided such compassionate care with their unwavering commitment and kindness.
Visitation will be held on Thursday January 18th from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm, at the Turner Family Funeral Home (53 Main Street, Dundas). A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday January 19th at 10am at St Augustine’s Parish (58 Sydenham Street, Dundas) with a reception to follow at the Hamilton Air Force Association, 128 King St E, Dundas.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to a charity of your choice, honoring Paul’s spirit of generosity and compassion. May his laughter and love continue to resonate in our hearts.
It is with sadness that we announce the death of Bérangère Gill (née Dorion) of Burlington. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of January 5th, 2024 at the age of 100 years. Bérangère was the eldest daughter of Charles-Henri Dorion and Alice Delage. She was born in Charlesbourg, Québec in 1923. She moved to Ontario in 1957 when she married Thomas Gill (d. 2010). Together, they raised three sons. She had a talent for baking and cooking and she loved to sew. Despite her small stature, she was a very strong and independent woman. She will be greatly missed.
Bérangère is survived by her siblings, Paul, Monique, Clémence (Albert), and Roch (Lise). She will be fondly remembered by her sons, Patrick (Colleen), Charles (Ric), and Michael (Lynne); her grandchildren, Daniel (Sheila), Letty (Alastair), Thomas (Megan), and Robert; and her great grandchildren, Maesie and Anika; as well as many nephews and nieces.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Augustine’s Church, Dundas on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 2:30 P.M..
