Raynsford, Ashley Laureane – Suddenly at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Saturday, March 25, 2023, in her 33rd year. Loving partner to Corey Cunningham, and loving daughter to Michael and Wilma Raynsford. Ashley will be sadly missed by her sister Marissa and her boyfriend Jordan, her aunts and uncles Mark and Nadine and Lisa and Tim, her cousins Billy, Emily, Tricia and Tracey, and by all her Jamaican family. Predeceased by her grandparents Pat and Bob Raynsford. Friends will be received by the family on Wednesday afternoon and evening from 2-4 & 6-8 at the Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas, where the Service for Ashley will be held Thursday at 11 o’clock. Cremation has taken place. Donations to the SPCA in Ashley’s memory would be appreciated by the family. The family would like to thank all the staff of the ICU at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Christina Docherty was born July 12 in1939, UK, a dark and threatening time. Money was scarce but there was singing in her family home. Light entered through song.
Christina, who usually went by Chris, or Mrs. G to her children’s friends, grew up in Glasgow, Scotland and married James Patrick Gentle. They had one child, Sally, then another, James, before crossing an ocean to Canada, then the U.S., then back to Canada again. A third child, Irene, arrived in those travelling years.
There was singing in this family home, and books. Christina bestowed the joy of reading to her children, so they grew up roaming universes. In time books became her work, at the Brampton Library. A supporter of libraries to the last, a new stack entered her home the day she went to the hospital, the first in decades to go unread.
She learned to swim, dunking her head underwater for the first time in her 40s. It’s one thing to do this as a child, as an adult it’s an act of will. Those same years presented the need to drive a manual transmission. One glorious crash through the garage into the living room later, she nailed it.
An avid follower of sports and current events, she had a thought on pretty much anything. Don’t like my opinion? No problem, I have another, she’d say. And she did.
Generally practical, she nonetheless placed onions on our childhood staircases to ward off, well, who can say, really. Her leaning toward justice showed sometimes strangely, such as the head of a pro-democracy leader cut from a magazine that stared valiantly up at us for months.
She had adventures, separating from James in her 50s, moving to Nova Scotia in her 60s, before being pulled back to Ontario to be closer to her children.
She had joys, primarily her beloved grandchildren Amanda and Alyssa Drew and Charles Wallace Gentle. Her warm, kindred relationship with son-in-law Matt Jackson, her enjoyment at sharing the wonder of science and space with son-in-law Raymond Drew. And clocks. So many clocks, mostly noisy, timed a minute or so off from each other so whirs, cuckoos and gongs chime forever. She loved sparkle, glitter that cuts through dark, like her pure, unconstrained laugh.
She had sadness. The infinite loneliness that comes from being far from the country and family she was raised in. The loss of her parents, Chrissie and Harry Docherty, the loss of her brother, also Harry Docherty, and finally, most excruciatingly, of her treasured son Jim in October 2022. Her world dimmed. It was again a dark, threatening time.
She fell ill in March. Illness was new to her. She faced it, books and music at her bedside like guardians, with characteristic curiosity and courage, more incredulous than scared. I’ve had a good life, she said. I’ve no regrets, I feel lucky.
She died suddenly and unexpectedly on a day of soft rain in the same hospital her son had died in less than six months before her, their unbreakable bond made eternal.
Her loss tears wider and deeper the gap in our universe. She is fiercely missed by all mentioned above as well as Brenda Docherty, Claire, Robert, Kate, Sarah and their lovely families; Chantal Ayotte (predeceased by Jim Gentle); Ann Sachuk (predeceased by Nick Sachuk, Patrick and Jean Gentle); all who knew her as Mrs. G; her former library colleagues and more.
She encouraged us to enjoy every moment and be kind to ourselves and others. She requested no service but was always up for a song. She’d sing if she knew the words, and clap along. That’s how light enters.
Do not grieve for me, for now I’m with my beloved wife Gloria of 74 years. Passed peacefully with Christine and Stephen by his side at St. Peter’s on Monday morning, March 20, 2023. Born in Cooks Creek, Winnipeg to parents Agnes and Joseph. Loving father to Pauline (Terry – predeceased), Christine (Rick), Peter (predeceased), Mark (Christina) and Stephen (Leigh). Proud Papa to Michael, Bradley, Lisa, Leslie, Vanessa, Jack, Wyatt, Breanna and much loved great-grandpa to Aden, Ripley, Tyler, Kyle, Payton, Carley, Reed and Nolan. Loved brother-in-law Gerry (Bernice – predeceased). Loved brothers Kasmer, Julian, Stanley, Edward, Lui, Adolph; sisters Mary and Jean (all predeceased). Sister and best friend Adeline (Johnny). Will be sadly missed by many nieces and nephews. Special thank you to nieces Leah, Wanda, Dr. J. Williams, PSW’s Maria and Betty, staff at St. Peter’s especially nurses Sara and Kamini, John and Karen Macintyre, Kathy Miller, Allan and Betty McCulley, as well as Don and Paul Chappel. God bless you all. Dad’s greatest joy was visits from his grandchildren. His passions in life, Mom’s baked goods, bowling, golfing, Saturday night cards with Adeline and Johnny, social gatherings with his close family and friends and Tuesday and Friday night lottery! From our family, thank you so much Jackie Sherk, Dennis Ducharme, Leo Volpato, Dan and Sheryl Cooper, Helen and Steve, Laura, Cam, Adam and Ryan Harrington, Wess and Becky Hurl, Gayle Brubacher and Father Scott Whitfield. Friends and family are invited to Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas on Sunday, March 26th from 1-4 p.m. for visitation. A Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, March 27th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Church, 58 Sydenham Street, Dundas. Donations can be made in memory to the Cancer Assistance Program, 555 Concession Street, Hamilton, L8V 1A8.
A beautiful life that came to an end, he died as he lived, everyone’s friend.
Entered into the presence of our Lord and Saviour on March 16, 2023 at the age of 79. Dear Father and Opa of Marcel and Norah and their children Kaitlyn and Alyssa; Ken and Anne and their children Ethan and Moriah. Predeceased by his loving wife Rita te Grotenhuis in 2015. Also remembered by his brothers and sisters in law and nieces and nephews. Friends will be received on Monday, March 20 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Grace Community Christian Reformed Church (formerly Ancaster Christian Reformed Church) at 70 Garner Rd. East, Ancaster, Ontario. Memorial service will take place at Grace Community CRC on Tuesday, March 21 at 11:00 AM followed by a luncheon. A live stream link will be available at ancastercrc.org. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kidney Foundation would be appreciated.
Passed away suddenly at home on March 14, 2023, in his 79th year, coincidentally on Pi Day, befitting a math teacher. Beloved husband of Bette (nee Smith). Loving father of Daron (Ann-Marie) and Dan (Leah). Proud grandpa of Brendan, Kurtis, Sarah, and Connor. He was predeceased by his sister, Joan Drury (Doug), and will be sadly missed by his sister Susan Sherman (Roger), and all his nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, the Coffee crew, the Granite Curlers, and many dear friends.
Jim was born in Toronto in 1944 and moved to Dundas in 1945. He attended Dundas Central Public School and Dundas District High School. He worked at Jaggard’s News Agency throughout high school where he met Bette. They were married in 1966. In 1964 he was accepted to McMaster University and completed a Bachelor of Science in 1968. He completed his Masters in Business Administration in 1972. He was hired as a Math Teacher with the Hamilton Board of Education in 1968. He made many great life-long friends and was inspired by seeing his students succeed. He retired in 1999.
Jim was an avid curler, hockey player and coach, camper, hiker and environmentalist, and a skilled woodworker. He was a proud member and trail captain with the Bruce Trail Conservancy for more than 30 years and received awards for his work. He was enthralled by early northern explorers and mountaineers and took his dream trip down the Coppermine River in 1984. Jim was passionate about sharing experiences with his family, from camping and road trips out west and to Algonquin Park, to Camp Wanakita, attending hockey games, road trips, boat cruises and trips to Europe with Bette after retirement.
Over the last 18 years he has been following the exploits of his 4 grandchildren. He looked forward to his visits with them, a chance to teach and bond, or to watch them take on life’s challenges in school, sports or the arts. In recent years, he loved being challenged by the math problems they were trying to solve in their homework and happy to learn from the next generation. He could never get enough of watching his family succeed and take on new opportunities. He was so proud of us all.
In the last 23 years he took on the diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease with the drive and strategy of a mountaineer and the curiosity of a scientist. Jim was a strong supporter of Parkinson Canada, and it was important for him to volunteer for clinical studies to support research into a cure for Parkinson’s. He was an inspiration in his courage and ability to overcome the latest challenge so he could be at the next curling event, meet up with friends, watch his grandchildren’s activities, or go on his next trip. We are grateful for all the extra quality time we had with him since his diagnosis. We thank the numerous doctors and care teams over the years who helped him navigate each challenge.
Jim was concerned for the success and happiness of those he knew, looked for any opportunity to teach, was happy to give advice on anything, and rooted for you in your battles. He taught us about perseverance and yes, the strength of stubbornness.
Friends and family are invited to Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main St. Dundas, on Sunday March 19 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm for a visitation. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 pm on Monday March 20, 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Parkinson (Society of) Canada or the Bruce Trail Conservancy .
It is with sad hearts and happy memories we announce the passing of our dear mother, Edna, in her 89th year at The Meadows in Ancaster. Predeceased by her loving husband, Sam (1994). Much loved and respected mother of Bob (Wendy), Dave (Wendy) and Sandra (Ron). Grandmother of Daryl (Allison), Mike (Hollie), Paul (Caitlin), Nikki (Mark), Shayne (Amy), Matt (Laura), Krista, Brittany (Peter) and great grandmother of 13. Survived by her dear sister Evelyn (Dave). Predeceased by her siblings George and Beverly. Lovingly remembered by her special friend of many years, Jack. Mom lived the first 70 years of her life in Alberton and her remaining years in the Ancaster area. Her whole life was about supporting and providing care for her family. Mom always loved a good card game and visits with family and friends. Many thanks to the staff at The Meadows, Ancaster for mom’s wonderfully compassionate care. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 6, 2023 at 1:00 pm at the Alberton Sunday School. In lieu of flowers, mom’s wishes were a donation to The Alzheimer Society of Canada.
