It is with sadness Mrs. Thelma Halliday-Gibbons of Kitchener passed away peacefully at the great age of 101 on February 12th, 2022 at the Heritage House Nursing Home, St. Jacobs. Thelma was born in Dundas on August 17, 1920. She was sister to Lorney (Eva), Joe (Jessy), Howard (Ruth), Bill (Joan) and Hazel (Stan). Thelma married Chuck Halliday. They had four children Jerry (Ruthann), Bonnie (Picard), Jane (Tom Binkley) and Greg (Marianne). Chuck passed away in his 40’s. Thelma had many cousins, nieces and nephews, grandchildren great and great-great grandchildren. Thelma was a Homemaker and a Seamstress. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, building fond memories. She was a devout Catholic, attended Mass every Sunday. When her children had grown she went back to school and became a Bookkeeper and received her driver’s license. Later Thelma married Clark (Jack Gibbons). They spent time traveling and enjoyed their retirement years together. Thelma was very active and generous her entire life. She will be missed by many. A small service will be held in the Spring.
Slack, Lillian Lauretta – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lauretta in her 83rd year. Predeceased by her husband Roy (1992). Amazing mother to Brent (Debbie), Michael (Sandy), Sheri-Lynn Perry (Lance) and Terry. Beloved sister of Irene Mordeca (late Albert). She will be very deeply missed by her grandchildren; Ashley (Gord), Alycia (Josh), Kyleigh (Zach), Tyce (Alisha) and Blake and by her great grandchildren Chance, Isaac and Scarlett. Friends will be received by the family on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 from 12 until the Service for Lauretta at 2 o’clock at the Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas. Interment White Chapel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kidney Foundation or Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Special thanks to St. Joseph’s Healthcare Dialysis Clinic’s Dr. Robert Yang and Sue Eacott and the staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital for their excellent care of our Mom.
Jay passed away peacefully at home with family February 21, 2022 at the age of 101.
Born in Campbellford, Ontario to James Charles Anderson and Lela Claire Stuart, he attended elementary and secondary schools there and graduated in Medicine from the University of Toronto in 1943.
He served in World War II as a regimental medical officer in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Core attached to the 86th Bridge Company in Canada and in Northwest Europe. Upon discharge in 1946, it was found that he had been infected with pulmonary tuberculosis necessitating six months in various sanitaria followed by six months limited activity. During the latter, his fiancée Geertruida (Truus) Emsbroek arrived in Canada from the Netherlands, and they were married in Campbellford in April 1947.
In 1948 he opened an office for general practice in his home town. However, after four years of solo practice his tuberculosis became active again and he was admitted to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto for treatment and recovery. Seeking a branch of medicine in which he could have regular hours, he returned to U of T for a year to get his Diploma in Public Health.
His first assignment was with the Simcoe County Health Unit working out of Orillia for 8 years after which he became Medical Officer of Health at the Peterborough Health Department for 4 years. In 1966 he shifted direction to become the editor of the Canadian Medical Association Journal in Toronto and then in Ottawa until 1975.
In 1996, Truus died. In 1997, Jay married Pearl Snyder and moved to Calgary. After Pearl’s death in 2017, he moved back to Toronto to be near family. Jay re-connected with a significant long-time friend which resulted in his move to London to be with Dr. Katherine Turner. They spent 4 very happy years together which was especially important during a time of COVID isolation.
Jay lived a remarkable life bookended by two global pandemics. He was guided by his faith; his belief in the basic goodness of people; his dedication to living a healthy life in mind, body and spirit; and, most memorably, he was guided by the importance of finding meaning and humour in his day to day life. Jay was a gentleman of the “old school” and was an exemplary product of an educational system that stressed memorization. He could draw with ease and perfect timing upon quotations from the Bible, from a wide range of poetry, from Kahlil Gibran, from Robbie Burns and from the person he had just met in the elevator to bring humour, insight and comfort to any situation. Jay loved music from the ‘30’s and ‘40’s – especially the big band or Swing era brought to life every Saturday on the TV by Lawrence Welk. Humorous and meaningful conversation is perhaps what he valued most. People mattered to Jay and their personal stories were always valued. In this way, he was a great humanist.
Jay is survived by his sons David (Lesley), James (Martha deceased), Ian (Kate) and daughter, Audrey (Richard) and six grandchildren: Mieke (Zac), Megan (Paul), Aaron (Meg), Casey, Mariah and Juliette and three great grandchildren: Logan, Lucas and Liam. He is also survived by his niece, Mary K Anderson, great-nephew Asud (Caitlin) and great-great nieces Norah and Evelyn, nephew Jack Anderson (Shirley) and cousin Glenn Thompson (Gloria). He is lovingly remembered by Medalit Quispe, Ann Irwin and his Dutch nieces and nephews Frits Emsbroek (Ietje), Lex Emsbroek (Christiane), Fieneke, Inge (Charles), and Berend Jan Garssen (Wies). In addition to his parents, Jay was predeceased by his brothers Dr. Ernest Anderson (Ruth) and Stuart Anderson (Helen); his nieces and nephews Laura Lee, Bill Anderson, Bob Anderson, Margot Emsbroek, Herman Emsbroek, Piet-Hein Emsbroek; and his Dutch in-laws Bart and Enny Emsbroek, Gerda and Jan Garssen, Henk and Gu Emsbroek.
Jay will be remembered by his many friends at Knox Presbyterian Church in Ottawa, Centre Street Church in Calgary and by his adopted Snyder and Turner extended families. Jay wanted to be – and will be – remembered as a loving person who was fun to be with and made others feel special.
In Jay’s memory, please extend an act of kindness to those around you.
Suddenly at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in her 90th year. Beloved wife of the late Robert Bird, and loving mother to; Leslee Couldrey, Steven Couldrey (Pat), Lisa Francis (Errol), Cyndi Macintyre (Ken) and Laura Stender (Jeff). Eileen will be sadly missed by her 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, and her special friend Victor Pala. As per Eileen’s wishes, there will be no service or visitation. Cremation has taken place.
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.
