DIANA GRAEME WHYTE (Nan) (nee Farncomb) February 13, 1929 – March 7, 2021 Peacefully at home at The Claremont, in Toronto, surrounded by love. Beloved wife to the late M. Peter Whyte, and much loved mother of Peter (Donna Lingeman) and Gillian (Samuel Hill). Cherished nana of Patrick, Nathalie, Joanne and Gordon, whom she in turn, ‘loved to pieces’. Sister of Donald Farncomb (deceased) and sister-in-law to June Jarvis, Mary Drope (deceased), John and George Whyte. Fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved, along with her cousins (Farncomb, Gower, Gillespie, Hallerman) with whom she had a very special bond. Lifelong friends made while at The Bishop Strachan School (Class of ’47), Camp Tanamakoon, The Hospital for Sick Children (RN, Class of ’52), Lascelles Blvd., Caledon Ski Club/Collingwood, Tap Dance School (aged 60 plus), Christ Church Deer Park and her treasured Lake of Bays, will truly miss her. It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to our Mum and Nana. She always considered the well-being of others ahead of herself. The enrichment of our lives with her love of dogs, nature, sports, volunteering, reading, humour, and laughter was immeasurable. Especially, her vibrant laughter. Until we meet again. A private family graveside service will be held. If desired, donations may be made to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, Canada.
Published in The Globe and Mail from Mar. 13 to Mar. 17, 2021.
Irma died on March 11, 2020. Her love of adventure and travel started when she immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands in 1954 at the age of two, settling in Ontario. She continued to pursue an adventurous life by becoming a Registered Nurse; graduating from The Hospital for Sick Children School of Nursing in Toronto, raising three children in Fort McMurray, Alberta and eventually using her established career as a nurse to travel in the United States and to many remote Northern Communities in Canada.
Irma, 68, passed away peacefully at the Canmore Hospital. In her final days, she was surrounded by her children Mike, Kyle and Adriann as well as her ex-husband Jim. She is survived by her four grandchildren James, Jenna, Declan and Alexis, her siblings Jose, Ray and Margaret as well as her many nieces and nephews and their respective families. She was predeceased by her father Johannes, mother Johanna and younger sister Lydia.
Irma will be remembered by her friends and family as a strong, independent and fearless person with a love for the outdoors, travel, theatre, and acquiring artwork from the local communities that she traveled to. She had a bright smile and a memorable laugh that will forever be held in our hearts. She will be greatly missed by all.
Irma’s family would like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to the Canmore Hospital Acute Care staff. They were tremendous in the care and compassion they provided Irma during her hospital admission. We would also like to thank the care staff and residents at Origin of Spring Creek for the support they provided and kindness they showed to Irma.
A celebration of Irma’s life will be held in Summer 2020. If desired, memorial donations can be made to either the Alzheimer Society of Canada, Parkinson’s Canada or the Canmore General Hospital. (From her published obituary)
Funeral arrangements were handled by Bow River Funeral Home www.bowriverfuneral.com
Margaret died on December 29, 2012. She was the beloved wife of the late Albert
and loving mother of Brian (Kendra) and Susan. Grandmother of Jesse and Daniel.
She is survived by her sister Mary Ball (Lloyd). Funeral will be at Steeles
Memorial on December 31st at 10 a.m. and interment to follow at Mount Sinai
Cemetery.
Link to Legacy Obituary: https://legcy.co/3aoUUch
Frances Louise Menary, Cl’48F
Frances
died at Victoria Hospital, London on Friday December 14, 2012 in her 89th year.
Beloved daughter of the late Lewis and Lucy Menary. Dear sister of Bette Menary
of Toronto and sister -in-law of Marion Menary of Grand Valley. Also survived
by her nieces and nephews and their families. Predeceased by her brother Lewis
Menary, sisters Eleanor Richardson, Pauline Coulter and Kathleen Bergen, nephew
Christopher Menary and niece Kathy Bergen. Fran
was a nursing instructor at Fanshawe College, London for many years and was
an active member of St. James Westminster Anglican Church. The family would
like to thank the nurses and staff at Grandwood Park Retirement Residence for
their care and support.
(Link to
obituary: https://www.amgfh.com/condolences/obituary.aspx?id=172629)
Margaret Ann (Patterson) Littlewood, Cl’57F
Margaret died peacefully, surrounded by those she loved, on Tuesday, November 20th, 2012. She was the devoted Mother of Patrick and Nancy, and the loving mother-in-law of Colin Jenkins. She was the very proud grandmother of Riley, Kaitlyn and Jonni. Margaret was predeceased by her parents Frank and Myrtle Patterson and brother Gerald Patterson as well as former husband Capt. David Littlewood of the Oakville Fire Department. She will be fondly missed by siblings Eleanor Earnshaw (the late Charles), Rev. Dr. Marney Patterson (Joan) and Peggy Robertson (John). Margaret will also be sadly missed by all of her nieces, nephews, family and friends. Margaret was a registered nurse at SickKids Hospital in Toronto where her strength and compassion in caring for others might only be surpassed by her strong roots in faith with St. Hilda’s Anglican Church. A special thanks to the nurses, support workers, and all others at St. Luke’s Place in Cambridge…. (As appeared in Oakville Beaver, 22 Nov 2012, p. 39)
Anne (Banks) Geddes, Cl’58.
We learned that Anne died in 2012 but we cannot locate her obituary.
Patricia Rozmary (Goetz) Jewett, Cl’69.
Peacefully at home in the presence of family, Patricia “Patsy” or “Pat” Rozmary Jewett R.N. (nee Goetz) passed away Sunday, April 15th in her 64th year. Patsy was the childhood sweetheart and exceptional wife of David “Doc” Jewett and fabulous mother and best friend of daughter Stacey. Patsy was predeceased by her parents Phyllis and Ab Goetz of London, Ontario. Patsy was a proud graduate of the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children (’69) and loved every day of her 43 years of nursing, touching the lives of many patients and colleagues. After transitioning from paediatrics, Patsy worked as a family practice nurse for Doctors Raes and Costin in Burlington. She recently celebrated her 20th anniversary at the Kenilworth Family Practice Team in Hamilton, working primarily with Dr. Ken Burgess, as well as with Doctors Blew, Cree, Davis and Zrinscak. Patsy spent a lifetime caring for others and over the past nine months was herself cared for and guided by the dedicated, compassionate and professional staff at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the Odette Cancer Centre. We send our highest praise and sincere appreciation to Doctors Brenneman, Ko and Selby and to the nursing and medical support staff of the in-patient Medical (C2) and Surgical (D6) Oncology wards. A very special thank you also to nurses Julie Diemert and Tanya Haines, Maria Waldron and Kellie Watts, who were instrumental in both the professional and personal care Patsy received while in hospital and at home. Patsy’s was a life lived with much laughter and love. She will be missed by all who knew her. …
Link to Legacy obituary: https://legcy.co/2LPQOjo
Joan Vivian (Aggett) MacKinnon, Cl’60
“Joan passed away Saturday morning, March 3, 2012, at the Greater Niagara General Hospital with family by her side. She will be greatly missed by husband Gale, sister Kathy, son Jonathan, daughter Kate, son- in-law Remy, grandchildren Marnie and J.D., dog Jakes, her wonderful extended family and many friends. Daughter of the late Arthur and Vivian Aggett of Toronto. Joan attended Kerrisdale School in Vancouver and Leaside High School in Toronto. Graduate of The Hospital for Sick Children School of Nursing in Toronto (1960) and McGill University, B.Sc., Nursing (1964). Joan taught nursing at The Hospital for Sick Children and later at The St. Catharines School of Nursing. Joan and Gale owned and operated MacKinnon Guardian Drugs at Drummond & Dunn Streets from 1970 to 2011. Joan’s life shines with her devotion to community service, her unfaltering energy for the development of her son Jonathan and special needs advocacy. She believed in the unconditional acceptance, love and helping of others. She served as Area Representative for Registered Nursing Association of Ontario, Executive of the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario, Educator with the Niagara School for Parents and founding member and President of the Ontario Prader-Willi Syndrome Association.” (From Morse & Son obituary)
Link to Morse and Son obituary: https://www.morseandson.com/memorials/joan-mackinnon/1149300/obituary.php
Passed peacefully Saturday, November 9, 2013 of heart failure after a brief stay at Uxbridge Cottage Hospital. Beloved wife of Donald Scott Sutherland (residing at Lakeview Manor, Beaverton). Survived by her son Stephen Sutherland and his wife Kim and grandsons Daniel and Lachlan and by her daughter Marg Parsons and her husband Jeff and grandson Mackenzie and his wife Jennifer and great-grandchildren Sierra and Wade and grandson Fraser and his fiancée Jaime Tonner. … Joyce graduated from University of Toronto Sick Children’s Nursing 1956, University of Toronto BSC Nursing 1974. Joyce served as a Public Health Nurse until 1983 when she established Blackfield Holsteins in Sunderland, ON. She enjoyed the country lifestyle and looking after her family. She will be dearly missed by all….
Link to full obituary: https://legcy.co/3inVDMX
Margaret Elizabeth Kirk (Farquhar) Garber, Cl’67.
Died at home on September 1, 2013 with family after a lengthy illness. A moving tribute by husband Nathan can be found on the James A Harris Funeral Home, London ON website.
Joan Gwendolynne
Mansell, Cl’53
Passed away suddenly, but peacefully on July 2, 2013 after continued health issues. Predeceased by her parents George H. Mansell (1973), Agnes (Tilly) Mansell (1991) and her only brother George J.F. Mansell (1998). Loving Aunt to her niece, 3 nephews, 7 great-nephews, 2 great-nieces, 1 great-great-niece and their extended families. Joan dedicated her life to a career in nursing, rising to the position of operating room administrator at the Hospital for Sick Children and then retiring from Wellesley Orthopedic Hospital in 1983. …(from Legacy obituary)
Link to Legacy Obituary: https://legcy.co/3d4Tpl6
Carolyn “Linda” Marney (Cooey) Scott, Cl 57
Passed away peacefully at Northumberland Hills Hospital on Thursday, March 14, 2013 in her 78th year. Dear wife of the late Maurice Scott. Loving mother of Jennifer Grace Burke (Jamie), Hubert “Hugh” Cooey Scott (Linda), Robert Maurice Scott (Mary Ellen), Carolyn Selena Scott-Lee (Gord) and Daphne Susannah Cooey Scott-Rodrigues (Luis). Will be missed by her twelve grandchildren…. www.MACCoubrey.com
Link to obituary: https://legcy.co/2NhB3m2
Nellie (Johnston) Crombie, Cl’36
Nellie died on February 28, 2013. She moved to South Africa in 1942 at the age of 29. She met her husband, married and raised her family there. She remained an active member of the HSC Alumnae. She died in her 101 st year.
Beverly June (McKown) Beecher, Cl’62
Died peacefully at Villa Forum, Mississauga on Monday, January 14, 2013, age 72 years. Born in Toronto, raised in Mt. Dennis. An alumna of York Memorial Collegiate 1958, The Hospital for Sick Children School of Nursing 1962, and U. of T Nursing Administration 1964. Her professional career contrasted with a ‘laid back lifestyle’ shared with beloved husband and soulmate Ron Beecher. Bev will be sadly missed by all who entered her world. Classmates’ tributes pour in: a unique and loving individual, an amazing spirit, a trooper as she struggled with 20 years of illness. Bev enjoyed raising Ron’s little girl and adored their grandchildren. She loved the sun on her face, jazz and folk music, a good book and a glass of wine to dance, sing, ski, sail or paddle on a quiet northern lake or hike a forested trail. Her paintings and photography reflected a free spirit. … www.glendalememorial.com
Passed away peacefully in her 92nd year in Montreal on Monday, November 10, 2014. Predeceased by her beloved husband Rea Hall, her brothers and sisters Pauline, Antoinette, Lesley and Kirbel, and survived by her beloved sister Wilma. She will remain forever in the hearts of her dear children Joan, Helen, Kathryn, Don and Bob, her grandchildren Jesse, Ayla and Linnea, and her many nieces and nephews. Ella trained as a nurse during the war years (1942-45) at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. She married Rea, her childhood sweetheart in 1948, and then transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, where she and her new husband started a family of five. Ella was the nurse for the neighbourhood, was involved in Engineers Wives for many years and helped form a book group which was of great importance to her and is still active today. When Rea retired they moved to St. Donat, where they had a summer residence since the 1950s. It was their dream. She enjoyed the country and nature and loved to teach children to swim. Ella was a skier, sailor, swimmer and canoer, and also had fun playing bridge with the girls. As with many Montrealers she and her husband were very fortunate to enjoy the hospitality of the Laurentians, and they both appreciated the excellent health care that was provided to them in their final years.
Link to Legacy obituary: https://legcy.co/371qDxU
Norma Mildred Huber Cl’38F
Norma passed away suddenly on August 26, 2014 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kitchener. She was born in Kitchener (formerly Berlin) on August 31, 1916 to Herbert and Mabel Huber. She was predeceased by her brothers Ross (Gladys), Grant (Mary), sister Doris (2013) and niece Nancy (Burke). She is survived by her niece Barbara (Rick) of Markham, nephews David (Cynthia) of Westcliffe Colorado, Chris (Kedy) and Alan (Ngaio) of Vancouver. She will be sorely missed by her niece and nephews and great and great-great nieces and nephews who knew her as a kind, generous, fun loving aunt. Norma was an enthusiastic and meticulous genealogist and was an organizer of two large Huber Family re-unions in 1991 and 2000. She loved bird-watching and travelling (even going on a trip to the Amazon in her eighties). Both she and her sister Doris supported numerous charities related to the preservation of the environment and wildlife and aid in 3rd world countries. Also, Norma sponsored a foster child for many years in South America. She sang in various church choirs and especially enjoyed being a bell-ringer in a choral group. Norma trained as a nurse at Toronto Sick Kids Hospital and then worked in the lab at the Banting Institute until she retired. She caringly looked after Doris helping her reach the age of 103. A special thanks to Seble and Dorine her home care workers, her friends at Sandhills Retirement community and her longtime friends (too many to list) who helped her remain active and enthusiastic until her passing. She was cremated and a private family service will be held at a later date. Link to obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/kitchener-on/norma-huber-6099888
Judith Mary (Kirkland) Campbell Cl’54
Judy died
at the Wellington Terrace Long Term Care Homeon Thursday, January 9, 2014. She
is survived by her loving husband, James Campbell of Guelph, her sons, John
Sinclair (Patti) of Calgary, Brad Sinclair (Linda) or Mississauga, her daughter,
Heather Sinclair (Phillip) of Guelph….
Judy graduated as a nurse from the
Hospital for Sick Children, School of Nursing in 1954 and worked as a nurse in a number of
major Canadian cities before retiring from the University of Guelph’s Student
Health Services in 1995.
“As a result of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Jacqueline
passed away on November 21, 2015. Beloved wife for 51 years of Jacques. Loving
mother of Paul and late Julie. Grandmother of Alec and Francis. She will be
missed by sister June (Jim Bloye). The family wishes to thank everyone involved
in Jackie’s care, and friends for their supports. In respecting Jackie’s
wishes, there will be no visitation or service. In memory of Jackie, donation
to the ALS Association would be appreciated. “(Legacy obituary)
Link to obituary: https://legcy.co/3cDrEQw
Jane (Perkins) Ward Cl’57
“Beloved Jane Ward passed away early Saturday morning, November 14, 2015 at the Ottawa Heart Institute after surgery failed to stem the bleeding inside her chest. She was a cheerful, compassionate Christian woman who made life marvelous for her husband of 58 years, Peter. She was 79 years old. Jane was a marvelous listener, which made her a legion of friends. When a friend had a problem, Jane didn’t try to solve it. She listened with caring interest. Jane was born in Sudbury to Frank Perkins and Jean Shannon. She grew up in Barrie where her father managed the Woolworth’s store. She played trumpet in the Barrie Collegiate Band, and at Western University she broke the sex barrier as the first woman in the Western Mustang Band. She graduated in the class of ’57 from the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, and married Peter Ward, a man whose life she made immensely happy. When Peter was sent from Toronto to the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Ottawa, in 1969, Jane expanded her piano studies and won the silver medal for the highest mark in the province. She then became a much loved music teacher, converting several hundred youngsters into music lovers. She was a former very active member of Westboro United Church, after many years joining her husband Peter at All Saints Anglican Church, Westboro. Jane and Peter’s much loved three children, Tim of Washington, DC (Teresa Erickson), Wendy of Welland, Ont. (Paul Grenier), and Mark of Orlando, Fla. (Regina), came rushing home, with grandchildren Josh Holober-Ward, the Greniers, Luc, and Claire of Welland, Ont. Jane wondered aloud sometimes: “Have I made a meaningful difference with my life?” Anyone who knew her knows that answer to that question.”www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com
Link to full obituary: https://legcy.co/2LELShF
Diana (Major) MacKinnon Cl’66
“At home on Saturday, May 30, 2015. Diana Marie McKinnon (nee Major) of Alexandria; age 71 years. Beloved wife of Charles McKinnon, and by a previous marriage to the late Ignatius “Jim” Sliepenbeek. Loving mother of Sean and James Sliepenbeek of Windsor, and stepmother of Robert McKinnon (Diane) of Lancaster, and Michael McKinnon (Nancy and children) and Eric McKinnon (Monique) both of Alexandria. Dear sister of Allen Major (Marjorie), Nicholas Major (Sharron), Vivian McManemy (Robert), Greta Ruston (Larry), Karen Charron (Robin), and Wendy St. Pierre (John) all of Amherstburg, Ontario, Christopher Major of Windsor, Harold Major (Diane) and Susan Mills (Peter) both of Alberta, and Brenda Blackstone of Michigan. …”
Link to Legacy obituary: https://legcy.co/2MVBL8L
Jean Elizabeth (Thompson) Tucker, Cl’ 49 (Spring) -Died in April 2015.Jean rarely missed an Alumnae event through the years. Karen Hunter Cl/67 worked with Jean at North York General for many years. This is a link to Jean’s obituary: http://www.legacy.com/link.asp?i=ls000174672944
Dr Eleanor (Ellie) Pask, Cl’59.
Died on March 8, 2015. Long time member of the Alumnae Executive and editor of the Alumnae News. Well known to all graduates and will be sadly missed. Please read about Ellie’s career on the link below.
(You can see one of Ellie’s stories here on our website by following the links to Connections/Memories-Stories of Our Past/North Bay Adventure)
Sheila Joy (Marani) Moore Cl’57 died on Feb 25, 2015 in her 80th year. Funeral was held in Toronto. Unfortunately we do not have a link to her obituary.
Margaret/Peggy (Bowie) Curtiss Cl’45F. The Alumnae received a report of her death in 2015. We have no further information at this time.
“Passed away after a brief illness at the Hamilton General Hospital on Sunday January 24, 2016 at the age of 63 years. Beloved wife of Les for 42 years. Loving mother of Michael (Angie), Eric and Heather. Proud grandma of Emma and Aleathea. Dear daughter of Helen and the late William Galange. Cherished sister of Patricia (Phil) Quinlan….
Linda became a Registered Nurse and began her career at Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto. After a year there she came to work at the Brantford General Hospital where she stayed for the duration of her 43 year career.” (from her obituary published in the Brantford The Expositor)
Link for full obituary: https://brantfordexpositor.remembering.ca/obituary/linda-y-ann-nee-galange-pustai-1073316688
Mary Jane (Wilkinson) Cree Cl’45
“Passed away peacefully on Saturday May 7, 2016 at Leamington Hospital at aged 92 years. Beloved wife of the late William Arthur Holt Cree (2001). Dear mother of David Cree (Helen) and Mary Anne Cree…
Mary Jane was a lifelong resident of the Leamington area. She was a registered nurse who graduated from the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto in 1945.” (Legacy Obituary) Link to full obituary: https://legcy.co/3oMZFQL
Marian (Brown) Cassidy, Cl 63.
We learned that Marian died in November 2016. Unfortunately we have no further details.
DORA (LUCAS) BASMAJIAN March 21, 1923 – December 19, 2020 At ninety-seven years of age, Dora Basmajian still read voraciously, baked nonstop for friends and family, attended exercise classes, and relished get-togethers with her children Haig (Lynn), Nancy (Mark Phillips), and Sally (Kevin Conway), grandchildren Matthew and Colin Basmajian and Jocelyn and Peter Conway, and great-grandson Connor Basmajian. Although her eyesight and hearing were failing and she’d needed a hip replacement a year ago, her positive attitude was an inspiration to those who knew and loved her. Her death came as a surprise, but not a shock. Dora was born on Pelee Island in 1923 to Sam and Maggie Lucas and attended high school in Leamington, Ontario, living with her older sister Velva (Clayton Dresser) before training as a nurse at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. She adored working with babies, becoming a head nurse on Infant “A” Ward. (Note: Dora was her Class Representative for the Alumnae Association, Hospital for Sick Children School of Nursing). In 1945, she met John Basmajian, an intern at Toronto General Hospital, and they were married two years later. Dora supported John through his near-fatal case of tuberculosis in 1947/48, never losing faith that he would make it out of the sanitarium. Their three children were born in Toronto in the early 1950s. Family came first for Dora, who focused on childrearing to allow John to pursue his career as an anatomist and pioneer in physical rehabilitation research, which took them from Toronto to Kingston in 1957, then to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1969, and back up to Hamilton in 1977. Following John’s retirement, they lived in Ancaster before moving to Burlington, where Dora continued living independently after John’s death in 2008, bolstered by family, a large circle of friends around the globe, and her neighbours and the staff at Hearthstone by the Lake. Among Dora’s many interests and talents, quilting and gardening ranked high. She loved music and, until her hearing failed, had subscriptions to orchestras in each city she called home. With John, she travelled all over the world, collecting a prized silver spoon from every trip. She took special pleasure in sponsoring many children from abroad through Plan International Canada, often maintaining contact with them for decades. Dora found joy in entertaining, throwing marvelous themed parties and serving delectable homemade cakes and pastries. A devoted correspondent, she wrote countless witty letters to her friends and family, keeping them informed and engaged in all her exploits. At this time, there will be no memorial service. She’d want everyone to stay safe, but would surely be pleased if you’d lift a glass-or a brownie-for a toast to her life and her unique spirit. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory to SickKids or Ecojustice Canada would be appreciated.
Link to full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/dora-basmajian-obituary?pid=197347691
