Services & Obituaries

LOCKHART, Shirley…

With her husband by her side at Victoria Hospital, on Saturday, August 1, 2015, Shirley (nee Wilkinson) Lockhart of London in her 69th year. Beloved wife of Walter “Wally” for 40 years. Dear sisters-in-law of Opal Magee of St. John, NB, Hazel MacLean of Windsor Junction, NS, Helen Anderson of London, Irene Fisk of Sudbury, Alice Clement of London, brothers-in-law Cecil Lockhart and his wife Mary of Nappanee, the late Eric Lockhart and his wife Connie of St. John, NB, and the late Albert Lockhart and his wife the late Marj of Kettle Point. She will be lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews and friends. A heartfelt thank you to the medical team and support staff in Respiratory and Pulmonary services at Victoria for their care and compassion. Friends will be received by the family from 2-4pm and 7-9pm on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, where the funeral service will be conducted in the chapel on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at 11am. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider making a memorial donations to London Health Science Centre – Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic, 747 Baseline Road East, London, ON N6C 2R6. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

McCahill, Judy…
Passed away suddenly at home on Friday, July 31, 2015, in her 69th year. Wife to Bill McCahill. Loving mother to Tracy Beattie (Kevin), Lisa McCahill-Hornback (Victor), and Jennifer McCahill-McDonnell (Andrew). Cherished Grandma to Katelyn and Matthew. Judy nurtured generations of London students, and later enjoyed travel, trivia and theatre with family and friends. She will be sadly missed. Friends will be received by the family on Friday, August 7th, 2015 from 11am-3pm at the Civic Garden Complex, 625 Springbank Drive, London, where a Celebration of Life service will be at 12 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Judy’s memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 633 Colborne St, Ste 180 London, ON N6B 2V3. Online condolences, memories and photographs may be shared at www.amgfh.com

Jean Jorgenson, nee Fountain (1919 – July 31, 2015)….

A beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother has passed away. After a lovely morning in the sunshine on her balcony as she so loved to do, mother walked to her room where her heart finally gave out. She demonstrated her strength and resiliency many times in the past few years and remained staunchly independent to the end, giving as much as, and more than, she received. Born and raised in Old South London, Jean trained as a nurse at Victoria Hospital in the early years of the war. Soon after, she met her soldier, Gordon, and gave up one career she loved for another: to marry and raise a family. Moving to Byron in 1952, Jean became a faithful and lifelong member of Byron United Church and Byron Opti-Mrs. She was wholly devoted to her children and was a pillar of support to her husband Gordon in his work in education and community service. Jean is mourned and survived by her five children Ron (Penn), Port Alberni BC, Larry (Marge), Bella Bella BC, John (Barb), Huntsville ON, Karen (David), Prince George BC and Dave (Cheryl), Wells BC, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews including her dear niece Judith Guest and god-daughter Dani Thornton. Jean was pre-deceased by her husband Gordon, her sister Helen Roberts and her brother John Fountain. The family is eternally grateful to the many members of mother’s various communities – church, bridge clubs, service club, neighbours, caregiver Pat, and other friends and contacts – who so generously and lovingly supported her and enabled her to continue living in her own home. A visitation will be held at A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, on Sunday, August 9, 2015 from 2-4 pm & 7-9 pm. A service to celebrate Jean’s life will be held at Byron United Church, 420 Boler Road, London, ON, on Monday, August 10, 2015 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers please support the groups that meant so much to our mother: Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Byron United Church, My Sister’s Place or a charity of your own choice. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

YARR, Joyce Anna…
Sadly, surrounded by her daughters, Joyce Anna Yarr (nee Smith) passed away, fighting, all the way to heaven. Predeceased by her husband, William Michael (Sept 2014). Survived by her four loving daughters, Sally, Wendy, Penny and Kelly. Deeply cared for by her 2 sons-in-law, Michael Zandri and Frank Wilkins. Gramma, Gma was adored by her loving grandchildren, Rob, Lindsay (Ian), Jocelyn, Marcus, Jessica, Michaila, Todd (Andree), Jason (Sahar), September (Randy). Great grand baby Gabrielle will have stories to learn about her GREAT gramma. After graduation from the Mack Training School (1947) Joyce was ever proud of her school and her profession. Joyce was the ever loving partner of Bill for 67 years as they travelled together on land and sea. Whether it was “calling” the pool exercises or setting up the Euchre tables, her presence will be greatly missed by the Gartshore gang. Ever orchestrating from above, be assured that our mother is now truly “Peachy Keen”. Friends will be received by family at A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street, South, on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 from 2-4pm & 7-9pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Colborne Street United Church, 711 Colborne Street, London on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 1pm. Cremation has taken place. Donations may be made to the Mack School of Nursing Alumni, 707-15 Towering Heights Blvd, St. Catharines, ON L2T3G7, or to the Heart and Stroke, 633 Colborne St #150, London, ON N6B 2V3.Online condolences, memories and photos shared at www.amgfh.ca

SPECHT, Rudolf…..

Peacefully at University Hospital, London, on Thursday, July 30, 2015, Rudolf “Rudy” Specht in his 83rd year. Beloved husband of the late Dale (Bond) Specht (2005). Loving father of Mike Specht of Kincardine and Erich Specht and his wife Jacqui of London. Predeceased by his daughter Mary Beth Specht. Cherished grandpa of Jordan, Dylan and Meghan. Missed by his nieces and nephews. Rudy was a teacher at Beal Secondary School from 1965-1995. The family would like to thank the staff at Mount Hope for their care and compassion. Friends will be received by the family from 2-4 and 7-9 pm on Friday, July 31, 2015 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. Funeral Mass at Holy Family Parish, 777 Valetta Street, London, on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 10 am. Interment in St. Peter’s Cemetery, London. Prayers Friday evening at 7 pm. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario, 4500 Blakie Road, Unit 117, London ON N6L 1G5. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

SKOFF, Anna…..

Cremation has taken place.

VAN DER LINDEN, Kevin…

Unexpectedly at his residence on Sunday, July 26, 2015, Kevin Van Der Linden of London in his 46th year. Beloved son of the late Joan (Slaunwhite) Rennie and her husband Terry. Loving brother of Allan Van Der Linden and his wife Carolyn Duffield, Denise Matthews and her husband Chris and Katie Belz and her husband Simon all of London. Cherished uncle to many nieces, nephews, great-niece, and great-nephew and dearly missed by his aunts and uncles and their families in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family one hour prior (12-1pm) to the service, being conducted in the chapel of the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 1pm. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation – London Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT), Main Building Room B2131, 550 Wellington Road, London ON N6C 0A7. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

SULLIVAN, Maria….

Peacefully with her daughter by her side, on Sunday, July 26, 2015 at Strathroy Hospital, Maria (Van Der Aa) Sullivan in her 92nd year. Beloved wife of the late Morris Vermunt (2010) and the late Edward Sullivan (1988). Cherished mother of Simone Sharrow (late Joseph (2003)) of Alisa Craig. Proud grandmother of Tina Wright (Shawn) of Alisa Craig, Charlene Mathews of St. Thomas, Warren Sharrow of Guelph and great-grandmother of KJ, William, Martina, Aliah, Lilianna, Joey, Cheyenne and Khloe. Step-mother to Liz (Gary), Joanne (late Don (2005)), Walter (Brenda), Maryann (Randy), Marg (Rick), Joe (Laurie) and step-grandmother to 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by her 6 brothers and sisters. A heartfelt thank you to the medical team and support staff at Craigwiel Gardens for their care and compassion. Friends will be received by family on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 from 12 – 1p.m. at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, where the funeral services will be conducted in the chapel at 1p.m. Interment to follow at Woodland Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of London & Middlesex, 435 Windermere Road, London, ON N5X 2T1. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

SMALL, Philip “Phil”…..

We announce the unexpected passing, with his wife by his side, Phil of London at the age of 49 on Saturday, July 25, 2015. Beloved husband, soulmate and true love of Kerri Small. Cherished son of Barbara and Peter Small of Sonning Common, England. Loving father of Michael Small and Elizabeth Small, both of Tillsonburg; stepfather to Rebecca Tipping (Brian), Ryan Charlton (Ashley), Cory Charlton and Stephanie Young (Steven). Proud Poppa Phil of Keirra, Madison, Jacob, Ainsleigh, Cash and Olivia. Dear brother of David Small (Paola) of Poole, England (nephew Nathan). Friends will be received by family on Friday July 31, 2015 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London where the service will be held in the chapel on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 10:30 am. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, London. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 180-633 Colborne Street, London ON N6B 2V3. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

BATHURST, Marianne….
With heavy hearts, but gratitude for a life well-lived, the family of Marianne said goodbye on Friday, July 24, 2015, at Royal Victoria Regional Health Care Hospital, Barrie, after a short illness, in her 92nd year. A strong believer in spirituality and the afterlife, she has been reunited with her beloved husband Harold William Bathurst and her brothers Jack, George and Douglas and her in-laws Edna Adams, Don Slater, Dr. RRK “Chum” Dickson, Mina Adams and George Luce. Marianne is lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her daughter Anne Marie Mann. Survived and loved by sisters Blanche Slater, Kathleen Dickson, Alice Luce and Frances “Frankie” Sharman (Tony). Her grandsons John (Angie) Mann, Paul (Erika) Mann, David (Tu-Le) Mann and Robert Mann will miss the laughter, love, honest conversations and entrepreneurial advice freely given by “Nanny B”. Dear great-grandmother of Austin, Nolan, Nathaniel and Christian Mann. Remembered by many nieces and nephews. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Trimble for her compassionate care. Friends will be received by family at A. Millard George Funeral Home (60 Ridout Street South, London, ON) on Thursday July 30, 2015 from 12-1pm, where the Service of Remembrance will be held in the chapel at 1 pm. Interment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London, to follow. In Marianne’s memory donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com