Services & Obituaries

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

Paterson, Anne Mary…
In her 104th year, passed away peacefully at Strathmere Lodge, Strathroy, on Thursday, April 4, 2019. Loving daughter of the late George and Petronella O’Grodnik. Predeceased by her husband Joseph (1981) and her sisters Mary and Stella. Cherished Mother of Patricia (Brian) Hobbs, John (Linda) Paterson and Bill (Susan) Paterson. Loving grandmother of Scott, Jeff, Jason and Christal and great grandmother of Nicholas, Avery, Emilie, Brendon, Samantha, and Brooklyn. Anne’s family wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Strathmere Lodge for their compassionate care of Mom over the last twelve years. There will be no visitation and a private service will be held for the immediate family. Donations may be made to Strathmere Lodge Ladies Auxiliary, Box 5000 Strathroy, ON N7G 3J3. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

SCOTT, Margaret…

Peacefully at Victoria Hospital, London, on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, Margaret (nee Sherry) Scott passed away in her 88th year. Beloved wife of the late Arnold Scott (1992). Loving mother of Kevin Scott and the late David Scott (2018). Cherished sister of Dorinda Sherry and Robert Sherry and his wife Audrey and sister-in-law of Eleanor Bloomfield and the late Viola Scott. Margaret will also be missed by her nieces, nephews and extended family. Friends will be received by the family on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 from 12-1 pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, where the funeral service will take place at 1 pm. Interment in Telfer Cemetery, Ilderton. Donations in Margaret’s memory may 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

TILBURG, Peter …
Peacefully with family by his side on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at the age of 93. Beloved husband of the late Katie Tilburg (2005). Dear step-father of William Hamilton and his wife Donna of South Mountain, Ontario, Joyce Wakem and her husband Jack of St. Marys, Ontario, Joan McLean and her husband John of London, Ontario and Barbara Douglas and her husband Fred of Milton, Ontario. He will also be missed by his family in the Netherlands and abroad. Also loved by 11 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. The funeral service will take place in the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Stratford General Hospital Foundation, 46 General Hospital Drive, Stratford, ON N5A 2Y6. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

BARTON, June….

Peacefully on Friday, March 29, 2019, at Chartwell Queen’s Square Retirement Residence, Cambridge, June Barton in her 88th year. Beloved wife of the late John E. Barton (2004). Loving mother of Susan Ann Hobbs and her husband Richard of Port Perry, Michael John Barton and his wife Kathryn of London and Brent Edward Barton and his wife Kimberly of Cambridge. Dear grandmother of Kevin John Hobbs and his wife Jen, Adam Victor Hobbs and his wife Pam, Daniel James Barton, Connor Edward Barton and Jaryd William Barton. Special great-grandmother of Brinley, Blake and Briar Hobbs and Luca, Kayden and Claira Hobbs. Friends will be received by the family on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 from 12-1 pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The funeral service will be held at 1 pm in the funeral home chapel. Cremation to follow with inurnment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 201 King Street, London, ON N6A 1C9 or the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario, 180-633 Colborne Street, London, ON N6B 2V3. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

LAWRENCE-DUNN, Barbara….

Peacefully on Thursday, March 28, 2019 at Chartwell Long Term Care Residence, London, Barbara Lawrence-Dunn in her 85th year. Beloved wife of the late Norman Lawrence (1978), and the late Walter Dunn (2015). Loving mother of the late Douglas Lawrence (1986), Patricia (Real) Pomerleau, the late Jane Beecroft (2009) (Dave), Mary Helen (Peter) Meyerhoffer and Rosemary (Syl) Pitt. Cherished grandmother to Garry (Leigh) Pomerleau, Tyson Pitt, Nathan (Erika) Lawrence, Trevor (Jennifer) Meyerhoffer, Dylan Meyerhoffer, Dan (Stephanie) Beecroft, Stephen (Katelyn) Beecroft, and Justine Pitt. Great-grandmother to Jacob and Simon Pomerleau, Lincoln and Mackenzie Meyerhoffer, Gavin Beecroft, Chelsea Meyerhoffer, Bella Beecroft, and Kaito Lawrence. Missed by her long-time friends Helen McClung, Carole Ming, Rosalee MacMillian, and Nancy Flynn. Heartfelt gratitude to the nursing staff on the Pinebrook floor at Chartwell London for their kind and compassionate care. Cremation has taken place with interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London.

“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a while, but their hearts forever.” Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184.  Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario 180-633 Colborne Street, London, ON N6B 2V3. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

UPTON, William…

Peacefully on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at Middlesex Terrace, William Upton in his 104th year. Beloved husband of the late Marjorie (Peggy) Upton (2013). Missed by his daughter Wendy (Rick) and step-daughter Jane, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his son, a grandson and his brothers and sisters. He served with HQ company (4th Para Battalion, Red Berets) in World War II. The family would like to thank the staff at Middlesex Terrace for their wonderful care of Dad. Cremation has taken place and a private family interment will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 371 King Street, London, ON N6B 1S4. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

BUSH, Dr. William S….

We mourn the loss, on March 24, 2019, of William S. Bush, who died peacefully in his sleep at Victoria Hospital, with family by his side, at the age of 89. He was the beloved husband of Mary (née Sutcliffe) Bush, his wife of 59 years; the dearest of fathers to Anastasia, Jamie (Danielle), John, and Andrew (Lisa); the loving grandfather of Jessica; and the dear brother of Gaile Newsome and the late Ralph Bush.

He was born in Plant City, Florida, in 1929, the son of the late William Shirley and Vera (née Crews) Bush. His earliest passions were music, religion, and flowers – as a little boy, he aspired to be a florist. His flare for music led him to serve, during his adolescence, as an organist in several Plant City churches. He went on to study music and languages at Stetson University. After his undergraduate studies, he spent a year doing missionary work in Haiti, and he taught at a mission school in South Dakota. In 1953, he earned an MA from the University of South Dakota, where he discovered the love of French literature that would shape his subsequent academic career. Awarded a Fulbright scholarship in 1954, he pursued his PhD in France at the Sorbonne, earning his doctorate in 1958. While working on his doctorate, he served as the choir director and organist at the St George’s Anglican Church in Paris, where he met Mary. The story of their meeting – the start of a love that spanned more than 60 years – was one that he often told.

He began his teaching career at Duke University, then moved to the University of Western Ontario in 1966, where he spent the remainder of his academic career. An animated lecturer and devoted mentor, he is vividly remembered by many former students. He was a distinguished scholar and prolific writer, one of the world’s foremost experts on the French Catholic writer Georges Bernanos. After his retirement, he published several books, on the French Revolution and on Orthodox theology, that have a devoted international following.

His Orthodox Christian faith was the centre of his spiritual life. In the 1970s, he helped found the first English-speaking Orthodox church in London, Ontario, and for many years organized the music for the services. A great moment of his life was the consecration, in 2011, of the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church on Horton Street, to which he remained passionately devoted even when failing health prevented him from attending services. The family will be forever grateful to Father Martin Meitz for the comfort he brought to William (“Vasileios”) in his final months.

His sweet nature touched everyone who knew him. He delighted in music, art, literature, history, travel with his wife, gardening, laughter, and good food. He was a man of great vitality whose life – passionately pursued, with diverse achievements and abundant family affection and fun – saw a full bloom.

A visitation will be held at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, on Friday, March 29, 2019 from 7-9 pm with a short prayer service taking place at 8:30 pm. The funeral service will be held at the Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church, 465 Horton Street East, London, ON N6B 1M2 on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 10 am. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, London. Sympathy donations may be made to the Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church or to Parkwood Institute’s Rehabilitation Program, c/o St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, ON N6A 4V2. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

KENNY, Janet Anne …

Peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, March 22, 2019 in her 77th year. Beloved wife of the late Martin Davies (2013). Caring mother of Kevin Kenny, Scott Kenny (Mary), Lisa Burns (Rod) and Lori French (Greg). Treasured grandma to Jake, Evan, Ben, Kyleigh, Brienna and Naithan. She will also be missed by Gary and Phyl, Penny, the residents and staff at the Dorchester Terrace as well as previous colleagues at LHSC. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Shane Smith, B Tower 9th floor staff and to the Palliative Care Team-Tower C 6th floor. A Memorial gathering will take place on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 from 5-8 pm in the A. Millard George Reception Center located on the South East side of the funeral home parking lot, 60 Ridout Street South, London. In lieu of flowers the family encourages a donation to a local animal rescue organization of your choice or the Arthritis Society, 400 York Street, London, ON N6B 3N2. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

WILLIAMS, Margaret….

Peacefully with her daughters by her side, Margaret Williams passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at Extendicare Lakefield in her 93rd year. Beloved wife of the late Ernest William “Ernie” Williams (2006). Loving Mum of Delia Raine and her husband Norman of Peterborough and Susan Morling and her husband Charles of Orangeville. Cherished Nana of Michael and Iain Raine of Peterborough and Ben and Leah Morling of Orangeville. Margaret will also be greatly missed by all the family in England.

Margaret came from Greenwich, England to London, Ontario in 1957 and she never regretted moving to Canada. Margaret started working as a medical secretary in Victoria Hospital in 1958 in the Executive Office, then in 1966 joined the Department of Medicine through the University of Western Ontario as the administrative assistant to the Dean of the Department of Medicine at Victoria Hospital and then moved to the new University Hospital in 1972. She eventually retired in 1989. She was active in many associations over the years including Lurgan Beach Cottage Association, Medical Secretary Association, Parent Teacher Association at Cartier Public School and enjoyed the school musical trips with Susan through Sir Wilfred Laurier Secondary School. In retirement she sang and was secretary/treasurer of the Canadian Welsh Singers now known as Cantorion Choir of which she was given an honourary life time membership. She was also one of the longest serving volunteers for 20 years at Over 55 which is a local organization that connects the older workers to job opportunities, allowing them to be an important part of their community while remaining active – which was exactly how Margaret lived for 92 years. She never stopped! The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Lord Dufferin Centre and Comfort Keepers of Orangeville, and in the last two years, the staff at Extendicare Lakefield, especially thanking the people who made Mum smile on a daily basis; the hairdresser, the activity coordinators, food services, the dog therapy volunteers, with special hugs to PSW Michelle.

Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family on Saturday, March 30, 2019 from 1-2 pm at the Metropolitan United Church, 468 Wellington Street, London where the memorial service will be held at 2 pm. Interment to take place at a later date in Oakland Cemetery, London. Donations in memory of Margaret may be made to the Over55 (London) Inc., 78 Riverside Drive, London, ON N6H 1B4. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com