Died Wednesday, February 23, 2022 peacefully in her room at Highgate Residence in Ancaster, Ontario with her daughter by her side. Shirley was born in Hamilton, Ontario on August 9, 1925 to parents James Charles Fraser and Ruth Watson. Predeceased by her husband of 63 years Richard James (Jim) Raycroft, her younger sister and brother in law, Jean and David McLay, and her son-in-law Mark Nelson. She is survived by her son Ian (Francine), daughter Kathryn Nelson and grandson Nicholas (Trina Watters). Before having her children, Shirley worked at the Bank of Commerce at King and Bay in Toronto, and later served as a volunteer clinical secretary at the Donwood Institute in Leaside. She will be remembered for her keen wit, love of gardening and sewing, her sharp sense of humour and culinary skills. She enjoyed travelling with the friends made through Jim’s years at Honeywell, particularly their many trips to Bermuda. Her red hair and freckles drove her to prefer winter sports although she was an avid golfer, tennis and badminton player in her younger years. We are grateful to the staff at Highgate for the compassionate care provided in both the Memory and Care wings. Friends will be received by the family on Friday, March 4, 2022 from 12 until the Service for Shirley at 1 o’clock at the Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas. Cremation has taken place.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia Koleff (nee Kay) at the age of 72 at Columbia Forest Long Term Care, Waterloo after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Pat was the beloved wife of Peter who predeceased her in 2020.
Cherished sister of Beverley Richards (Ted) and Richard Kay (Shirley), lovingly remembered by her nieces Jennifer, Lynn, Lisa, Sandra, Samantha and nephew Corey (Bobbi Jo) Engler of Wellesley and her cousin Wayne Kay of Dundas. Predeceased by her loving parents Walter and Edna Kay and her Uncle Ken and Aunt Jean Kay.
Pat worked at the Home Hardware head office in St. Jacobs for over 40 years. Many thanks to friends from Home Hardware who continued to visit her after she entered long term care.
The family would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the caring staff at Columbia Forest Long Term Care in Waterloo, especially Wendy who cared for Pat for all the years Pat was at Columbia Forest.
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments but what is woven into the lives of others” – Thucydides
It is with great sadness that the family of Dr. Susan Watt announces her passing on Monday, February 21, 2022, after a lengthy hospitalization. Sister of the late Sheila Watt Oliver, she is survived by her nieces Tracey Oliver (Windsor), Susan Oliver (Toronto) and Kathleen Oliver (Burlington) and their families. Born in Windsor, Ontario and raised in Etobicoke, Ontario, Susan lived a life of academic achievement and professional accomplishment. She attended the University of Toronto, earning a B.A. in 1969 and an M.S.W. in 1971. After graduating with her master’s degree, she had a successful career as a medical social worker. Susan earned her Doctorate in Social Work from the School of Social Welfare at UCLA in 1977. Upon her return to Canada, she became a Professor of Social Work at McMaster University – teaching social work policy and practice, doing research and helping many others achieve their goals. She was involved in Save the Mothers, an organization dedicated to reducing mother and infant mortality in the developing world. Susan also excelled as an aunt and a friend. She was the person everyone turned to for help and support, which she gave generously. Over her lifetime, she built a family of friends from all parts of her life, whose company she enjoyed immensely and who gave so lovingly of their time and care when she needed it the most. The family would also like to thank the staff at St Joseph’s Hospital who were truly dedicated to her needs throughout.
A celebration of her life will take place on Friday, March 18, 2022, from 3 to 5 pm at The University Club of McMaster University, Alumni Memorial Hall, 1280 Main Street West. Please visit the university website for information about their covid policy.
Passed away peacefully at Hamilton General Hospital on February 21, 2022 in her 68th year. Left to remember her loving ways are her husband, Brian, son Steve (Jessica), daughters Sherri (Chris), Ashley (Jay). Her love of life, her grandchildren, Julie, Maggie, Dominic, Ally, Claire, Marcus, Devin and Anna. She will be missed for her loving smile and her love of life. She will be missed by many nieces and nephews, brother, in-laws, friends, and trailer park buddies. A graveside service for family and friends will take place on Saturday, February 26 at 10:30a.m. at Grove Cemetery, Dundas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice.
Passed away peacefully on February 16, 2022 at Joseph Brant in his 96th year. Beloved husband of the late Alexa (nee McKelvie). Loving father to Don (Karen) and the late Alastair. Caring grandfather to Kyle and Peter. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. Thank you to the staff at Bertram Place (Dundas) and at Joseph Brant Hospital. Donations, in memory, can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
It is with sadness that we, the family of Peter Dawson of Dundas, Ontario, announce that, at the age of 92, Peter passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 15th, 2022. Prior to his passing, he received exceptional compassionate care at Margaret’s Place – St. Joseph’s Villa, Dundas.
Peter was born on September 27th, 1929 in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, England. On September 28th,1950, just one day after his 21st birthday and with only twenty English pounds in his pocket, he began his new adventure by emigrating to Canada to start the next chapter of his life.
He was initially employed by the Inco and Falconbridge nickel mines in the Sudbury, Ontario area. It was during this time that he met Pauline Derro. They fell in love and were married on October 30th, 1954. Peter was offered employment by Procter & Gamble Inc. in Hamilton, Ontario. He and Pauline settled in Stoney Creek and started a family, complete with sons John, Jeff, and Ken and daughters Angela and Paula.
Peter went on to gain 33 years of management experience with P&G, latterly as Manager and Corporate Coordinator of Environmental activities. Following his line management, he spent 20 years in the human resources field in training organisation development and employer-employee relations.
He chaired the Medical Postgraduate Consultation Committee by the Ministry of Health.
Peter was immensely proud when he represented Canadian employers as a member of the Canadian Delegation to the International Labour Organisation (I.L.O.) Conference at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland 5 times. He was assigned as the International Employer Vice-Chairman of the Vocational Rehabilitation Committee. He was assigned as the Deputy Canadian Employer Delegat and was made the Canadian Employer Delegate at the annual I.L.O. conference.
He received an Award of Merit from Mohawk College in Hamilton in recognition of his efforts in the field of industrial training in the community and province. He was appointed a member of the board of governors of Mohawk College and elected Chairman of the Board in 1986-87. Following this, he was appointed a member of the Ontario Council of Regents. He was awarded an Honorary Diploma in Governance and Leadership.
Peter was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
Sadly, Peter’s beloved wife Pauline succumbed to a long term illness and passed away in 1991.
Prior to his retirement in 2000, Peter was the executive advisor of the Dawson Consulting Group Inc.
For 26 years he wintered at Edgewater Village, Florida. He cherished his friendships with his fellow condo owners there and considered them to be his ‘second family’. Late in his life, Peter developed a loving relationship with Ruth Cuming of Stoney Creek. They travelled and spent winters at his condo in Florida. After Ruth’s passing in 2009, he remained involved with her family, especially her daughter, Donella, and her family.
Peter is survived by his sons John and Kenneth Dawson, his daughters Angela Dewit and Paula Sarraf, his granddaughter Sarina Sarraf, his great-granddaughter Ava Dewit, his grandsons Jordan Sarraf and Erik Dewit, his daughters-in-law Janice James and Yvonne Lynch, cousin Norman and Brenda Bell, as well as many loving nephews, nieces, and friends.
Peter was preceded in passing by his wife Pauline, his partner Ruth, his second son Jeffrey, and his sons-in-law Esam Sarraf and Fred Dewit.
All through his life, Peter strove to live by one rule that he believed we all need – the Golden Rule.
Peter’s remains were cremated. A ‘Celebration of Life’ ceremony will be held on Friday, May 27th, 2022, 4:00pm to 6:00pm, at the Turner Family Funeral Home Ltd., 53 Main Street, Dundas, Ontario, L9H 2P7. Phone: + 1 (905) 628-6412.
