Services & Obituaries

STEWART, Dorothy (Wagner) …

Peacefully at the age of 94 on Sunday, April 14, 2019 Dorothy of London. Beloved wife of the late Lloyd Stewart for 54 years. Cherished mom of Greg Stewart. Dear sister of Margaret Emrich and Carl Wagner and sister in law to Winnie Stewart and Al and Jane of St. Marys and Tony of Waterloo. She is survived by 11 nieces and nephews. Friends will be received by the family from 10-11 am on Monday, April 22, 2019 at Westmount Presbyterian Church, 521 Village Green Avenue, London, ON N6J 4G4, where the funeral service will be held at 11 am.  A private family interment to take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario. 180-633 Colborne Street, London, ON N6B 2V3. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories, and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

FIELD, Mary….

Mary Eliza Field (nee Johnson), age 89, of London, passed confidently into the presence of her Lord on Saturday, April 13, 2019. Born in Whalen Corners and raised on the farm with brothers Ivan (Janet) and Gordon (Florence) she married Steve and spent 65 years as the love of his life.

Loving mother of Joyce (Dave) Martin, Sharon (Peter) Brennan, and Darryl (Lisa) Field and grandmother to Dave, Dan, Sandra, Heather, Bob, Laura, Jesse, Jessica, Carter, Chandler, Preston, Jackson and 13 great grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life service will be held at Summerside Community Church, 1447 Commissioners Road East, London on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. Mary found a wonderful home for her final years at Henley Place and we are thankful to the Henley staff for their care.

Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories, and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

BACKMAN, Ralph Roger…

Passed away on Friday, April 12, 2019 in his 82nd year at University Hospital, London. He was the loving husband of Susan (nee Speight) for 22 years. He is survived by his children Nancy Backman (Jean-Stephan) and Brent Backman (Sarah) and Susan’s children Elizabeth Hubbell (the late Curt), Jennifer Badhwar (Vinay) and Christine Cottrell (John). He was the proud, loving, involved and supportive Papa to Mike Vallieres, Caitlyn & Taylor Backman, Sydney & Jack Hubbell, Isabella & Evan Badhwar, and Ava & Katie Cottrell and he leaves countless wonderful memories with them. He will be missed by his brothers Mel and Alfred and his sisters Barbara and Beverly and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother Howard. Ralph was a member of the Royal Canadian Navy and retired from Labatt’s Canada where he was recognized for his role as Director of Engineering and Director of Health and Safety. Cremation has taken place. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John the Divine Roman Catholic Church, 390 Baseline Road West, London on Monday, April 22, 2019 at 11 am with visitation one hour prior (10-11 am). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

CRITCHLEY, Mae Lillian …

Peacefully at the age of 89, Mae Lillian on Friday, April 12, 2019. Beloved wife of the late Charles George Critchley. Loving mother of Donald Critchley and his wife Debra of Haliburton, Cindy Critchley of London and Jennie Pineo and her husband Richard of Sudbury. Also loved by her grandchildren Mathew and his wife Kelly, Shauna and her husband “Bud”, and Keegan and by her great-grandchildren Benjamin, Hailey, Abby and David. Sister of Stephen Gourley and Jack Gourley and his wife June and their families. Predeceased by her brother Donald Gourley. Friends will be received by the family from 12-1 pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at Faith Bible Chapel, 439 Moore Street, London, where the funeral service will be held at 1 pm.  Interment to take place at a later date in Monteith Cemetery, Monteith. Donations may be made to the London Regional Cancer Program, 747 Baseline Road East, London, ON N6C 2R6. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

MITCHELL, Doris….

Peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, April 12, 2019 at Victoria Hospital, London, Doris (nee Oakes) Mitchell passed away in her 81st year after suffering a brief illness. Beloved wife of the late Robert “Bob” Mitchell (2003). Loving mother of Christine McKenzie and her husband Marcel of Brampton, Robert Mitchell and his wife Judy of London, Veronica Beer and her husband Steve of London, Raymond Fitzpatrick of North Carolina and Jeff Fitzpatrick of Florida. Cherished grandmother of Jordan and his wife Ashley, Ryan, Carissa, Jessica, Chandra and Shane and great-grandmother of Everly and future Mitchell twins come September. Dear twin sister of Delores Gartshore of Sarnia and sister of Nancy Buckingham of Michigan and the late Patsy Fitzpatrick. Doris will also be missed by her nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. Friends will be received by the family on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 from 10-11 am at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London where the funeral service will be held at 11 am in the funeral home chapel. Interment in Hillsdale Cemetery, Petrolia. Donations in Doris’ memory may be made to the London Health Sciences Foundation – Palliative Care Unit, 747 Baseline Road East, London, ON N6C 2R6. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

WELLS, Agnes …

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Agnes Wells (nee Kearney) on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at the age of 83. Beloved and treasured mother of Anne, Philip and Michael, mother-in-law to Pete, Laura and Lori.  Agnes will be greatly missed as well by her grandchildren Alexandra, Cameron, Charlotte, Simon, Claire, Livia and Tova, and by her great grandchildren Sullivan and Silas.  She was predeceased by her parents Michael and Mary Kearney, her husband Ted Wells, and her siblings Mary, Norah, John and twin Tom. Outside of Canada she is survived by her sister Cath and her sisters-in-law Pat and Dot and their children.  Agnes was a dynamic presence, always on the go. She loved to be active physically and enjoyed tennis, playing golf, and going for long walks. She was a social person and thrived in the presence of family and friends, enjoyed playing bridge, Mah-Jongg, and the cryptic crossword; she loved a great discussion about anything going on in the world. She was fiercely supportive of her children, indeed a best friend for her son Michael. She enjoyed visitors and had a passion for travel. She greatly valued her career as a draftsperson at Ontario Hydro. Agnes was beautiful and always elegant, yet tough.  She survived lymphoma treatment, including a stem cell transplant, twice. She loved and was loved by all who knew her. Unfortunately, in the last few years dementia claimed her mind but never her spirit – she was feisty till the end. Thanks to Jim Sinclair and her friend Yvonne Roche for always keeping in touch. Cremation has taken place and a private family service at a later date. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

LEONARD, Derik…

On Friday, April 5, 2019 and in the presence of his good friend Jeff Brooks and his cherished nephew Gary Leonard and his wife Julie, Derik Leonard passed peacefully in the seventy-fifth year of his life. Derik was the beloved son of the late Jules Leonard and his wife Blanche. Derik was predeceased by his brothers Jerome (Hazel and Beverly) and Ron (Denise). He is survived by his brothers Laverne (Pauline) and Edgar (Marlene) and by his sister Lorraine (Don). He was also predeceased by his soul-mate and the true love of his life, Dr. Larry Cortner. A very gentle and compassionate human being, Derik will live on in the memories of his nieces and nephews and in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have been his friends. For many of the earlier years of his career, Derik worked as an interior design consultant and subsequently, until his retirement, as the lighting director at Guildwood Lighting. It can truly be said of him that he touched nothing that he did not make more beautiful. Derik’s family thanks all the doctors, nurses, and other health-care professionals at Victoria Hospital who did so much to comfort and support him as he bravely faced the end of his life. As Derik requested, cremation has taken place, and a private graveside service will follow. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 201 King Street, London, ON N6A 1C9 or the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

Venus, Shirley Alice…

On April 5, 2019 at Victoria Hospital, Shirley Alice Venus passed peacefully at the age of 87. Beloved wife of the late Fred Venus. Loving mother of Steven Venus, Gary Venus and his wife Laurie Browning all of London, James Venus and his wife Janet of St. Thomas, Richard Venus and Carol O’Rourke, both of London. Dear sister of Fred Palmer and his wife Gayle and Connie Hansmann all of London. Also missed by her grandchildren Lindsey, Ryan and Andrea. Predeceased by her daughter Janet Girling and her brother Bert Palmer. Family will receive friends and relatives from 12pm to 1pm on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, with a service to follow at 1pm in the funeral home chapel. Interred at Woodland Cemetery. Donations in memory of Shirley can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario, 180-633 Colborne Street, London, ON N6B 2V3. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

THORPE, Colleen…

We say goodbye to a wonderful woman on Friday, April 5, 2019 at the age of 89. Loving partner of the late George Joseph Mortlock (2001) and wife of the late Ernest Thorpe (1982). Dear mother of the late Patricia Mundy, Betty Lou Oswald and her husband the late Ed, Douglas Morden and his wife Kay, Barbara Healy and her husband Ivan, Kenneth Thorpe, Brenda and her husband Wayne Peck, Jo-Ann Chafee and her husband Allan, James Thorpe and Sol Alhstrom and her husband Edward Sims.  Dear sister of JoAnn Booth and her husband Wesley.  Survived by many grand, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Dear daughter of the late Ivy (Eller) Lampman and Henry Eller. Fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the staff at Henley place for looking after mom for the last 5 years. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of her Life will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2019 from 12-4 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion Victory Branch 317, 311 Oakland Avenue, London. Donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation, 785 Wonderland Road South, London, ON N6K 3C2 or Animalert, P.O. Box 24042, London, ON N6H 5C4. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

RALSTON, Marge…..

Peacefully at Chartwell Parkhill Long Term Care Residence on Friday, April 5, 2019, Margorie “Marge” (Topping, O’Farrell) Ralston passed away at the age of 100 years young. Beloved wife of the late Stanley O’ Farrell (1976) and the late Norman Ralston (2004). Proud mother of Ruth Anne Rogerson (John) and Nancy Vidler (Peter). Cherished “Grandma Dynamite” of Tamara Lechner (Paul), Jonathan Rogerson (Leigh), Leigh Anne Vidler (Chris), Jason Vidler (LeeAnn), Jennifer Ware (Tim) and great-grandmother of Kilee, Tygre, Maddox, Braxton, Annica, Cameron, Braidyn (Kiera), Mikayla, Cameryn, Hunter, Makayla, Riley, Chase and great-great grandmother of Michael Jason. Dear sister of George (Mary), Clare (Molly), Reg (Vera), Belva (Jack) and Ruth (Claude). The family would like to thank Chartwell Parkhill for their care and compassion. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be from 1-2pm on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. A Celebration of Marge’s life will be held in the funeral home chapel at 2pm. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Thames Valley Children’s Centre (to support families of autistic children), 779 Base Line Road East, London ON N6C 5Y6. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com