Services & Obituaries

JEFFREY, Helen……

Peacefully surrounded by her family at Grand Wood Park, on Tuesday, August 13, 2013, Helen (Lansdell) Jeffrey of London in her 76th year. Beloved wife of the late Gordon Jeffrey (2003). Loving mother of Leigh Nelligan and her husband Patrick of London, Sharon Gowdey and her husband Kevin of St. Thomas and Heather Cocurullo and her husband Peter of London. Cherished grandma of Lindsay, Cara, Alison, Sam, Charlotte, Miranda, Emilie, Ethan and Erin. Dear sister of Carolyn Woolford and her partner Rob Paton and sister-in-law of Diane Jeffrey. Also missed by her nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Ethel and Bill Lansdell and her brother-in-law Peter Jeffrey. The family would like to thank the Grand Wood Park “Family”, Dr. Laura Lyons and her team for the love, care and compassion provided. Friends will be received by the family from 2-4 and 7-9pm on Friday, August 16, 2013, at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, where the funeral service will be held in the chapel on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 10:30am. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, London. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, London/Middlesex Chapter, 21 Grosvenor Street, London ON N6A 4V2. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

STEWART, Kathleen Mary “Kay”….

Kathleen Mary (nee McKenzie) Stewart, in her 94th year, passed away peacefully at University Hospital London on Wednesday, August 7, 2013. Beloved wife of the late Harold Stewart. Dear mother of Kevin (Leslie) Stewart and Dianne Israels. Proud grandmother of Michael (Sarah) Israels, Marty (Natasja) Israels, Neill Stewart (Blair) and Colin Stewart (Sohni). Loving great grandmother of Abby, Harrison, Patrick, Liam, Evan, Brogan and Archer. Predeceased by her brother Donald “Don” McKenzie. The family is grateful to the many people who supported Kathleen in her later years, particularly those at Longworth Retirement Residence, St Joseph’s Heath Care and the nurses, support staff and physicians on the 7th floor at University Hospital. Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family one hour prior (10-11am) to the memorial service being held at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, on Friday, August 16, 2013 at 11am. Private family interment in Woodland Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to London Health Sciences Foundation, 747 Base Line Road East, London, N6C 2R6. Online condolences, memories, and photographs can be shared at www.amgfh.com

HACKBARTH, Elfriede Erna….

At Victoria Hospital, London on Wednesday, August 7, 2013, Elfriede Hackbarth in her 92nd year. Beloved wife of the late Otto Hackbarth. Loving mother of Ralph Hackbarth (Tammy) and Gerald Hackbarth both of London. Cherished grandmother of Christopher, Katlynn and Tayler. Dear sister of the late Kurt Lumma and his wife Anna Marie of Germany and sister-in-law Karola Hackbarth of Germany. Friends will be received by the family from 12 noon – 1pm on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London where a celebration of life will be held in the chapel at 1pm. Cremation has taken place. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Lung Association, 480 Egerton Street, London, ON N5W 3Z6. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

BROOKS, Gary William….

Peacefully at his residence on Wednesday, August 7, 2013, Gary Brooks in his 68th year. Beloved husband of Leslie. Loving father of Joshua, Peter and Andrew. Dear Brother of Richard “Rick” (Ruth), Donald “Don” (Sandy), Harold “Hal” (Rosemary), and Carol (Joe) Ottenhof . Dear brother-in-law of Joan. Predeceased by his brothers John and Gerald “Jerry” . Friends will be received by the family from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm on Sunday, August 11, 2013 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. A memorial service will be held at Open Door Christian Fellowship, 940 Dundas Street, London on Monday, August 12, 2013 at 2pm with visitation at the church 1 hour prior to the service. Cremation has taken place. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 442 Adelaide Street North, London, ON N6B 3H8. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

SHERRITT, Mary Irene….

At Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket, on Monday, August 5, 2013, Mary Irene Sherritt of Newmarket in her 87th year. Dear sister of June Williams of London. Predeceased by her parents Percival and Ethel Sherritt, her brothers William, Lawrence, Ralph Sherritt and her sister Patricia Clements. Also survived by her 12 nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and nephews and many great-great-nieces and nephews. Dear friend of Doreen MacDonell of Aurora. Mary had a long distinguished career as chief operator of Bell Canada serving London, Guelph, Sudbury and Toronto. Friends will be received by the family from 2-4 and 7-9 pm on Thursday, August 8, 2013 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London where the funeral service will be conducted in the chapel on Friday, August 9, 2013 at 3pm. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 180 – 633 Colborne Street, London ON N6B 2V3 or Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation, 102 – 581 Davis Drive, Newmarket ON L3Y 2P6. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

COLLIER, Marilyn Jean (nee McLean)….
Passed away peacefully at Westmount Gardens, London, on Saturday, August 3, 2013. Beloved wife of Kenneth Robert Collier. Dear mother of Gary Richard Collier (Lori Clayton) of Newmarket. Dear grandmother of David Edward Collier of Aurora. Dear sister of Donna Gibson (Donald) of Brussels and brother of Murray Earl (Mary) McLean of Owen Sound. Dearly missed by sister-in-law Karen (Dr. John) Lind. Predeceased by sister-in-law Joan McEllistrum. Will be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews. Friends will be received by the family from 2-4 and 7-9 on Thursday, August 8, 2013 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The funeral service will be conducted in the chapel on Friday, August 9 2013 at 1pm. Interment to follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 442 Adelaide Street North, London, N6B 3H8. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

God saw you getting tired,
A cure not meant to be.
So he put his arms around you and whispered,
“Come with me.”
With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you fade away, although we loved you dearly,
we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
your tender hands at rest.
God took you home to prove to us
He only takes the best.

MCGOWAN, JOHN FRANCIS (June 25, 1922-July 28, 2013)…

Passed away at LHSC on Sunday, July 28, 2013. Born in Montreal, John was one of 11 children of John Phillip and Rose Ellen McGowan. All of his siblings predeceased him: Alphonse, Mary, Catherine, Bernard, Bernice, Margaret, Francis, Neil, Peter and Stanley. John loved to recount tales of growing up on St. Urbain Street, attending McGee High and playing for three hockey teams at once. He joined the Army in 1940, as he said, in order to play more hockey. Instead he received training in Canada and England. He served valiantly in the 17th Royal Duke of York Hussars for the duration of the war. He was a sergeant in the reconnaissance unit that saw tense and highly dangerous action throughout France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He refused an offer to take officer’s training so he could stay with his men. He carried the names of some those killed in action in his wallet and prayed for them every day. His active service ended about 10 days short of the Armistice when his car was bombed and he jumped clear only to severely injure his ankle in the hard landing. After the war John worked for CPR for 35 years as a locomotive fireman and engineer and latterly as a diesel engineer. He loved the railroad and frequently regaled his audience with stories about his co-workers and the tricks they played on one another. John was predeceased by his cherished wife of 63 years, Ursula (2011). He is survived and lovingly remembered by all of the children of his large and blended family: Donald Lenaghan (Wilma), Lorne Lenaghan (Dianne), Peter McGowan (Shirley), Kathleen McGowan (Don Blay) and Edward McGowan (Bonnie Dunbar) and by grandchildren Karen, Heather, Colleen, Randy, Brent, Brad, Jennifer, John, Katie Anne, Victoria, Duncan and Lucas and great grandchildren David, Moira, Mackenzie, Shamus, Becky, Ryan, Andrew, Jamie, Rachel, Alanah, Keegan, Matthew, John and Andrew and was immensely proud of each of them. This wonderful blended family expanded to add the Blays, Ben, Sarah and Tony and, much to Dads delight, Rylan and Tatum Blay. He loved and was immensely proud of all of these young persons. He is also lovingly remembered by his many nieces and nephews. John had a cotillion of friends over the years. He was an immensely social man who treated everyone the same and always made people smile with his sense of humour which was alive and healthy into his final days in the hospital. The family is most grateful to the amazing staff and wonderful residents at Amica of London for their many kindnesses and great friendship. We will always be indebted to the nursing staff of 4 IP at LHSC for their attentiveness and gentle care. They are unsung heroes in a milieu often fraught with pain and suffering. The Funeral Mass will take place Friday, August 2, 2013 a11:00 a.m. at St. George Catholic Church, 1164 Commissioners Road, London (Byron) ON. Visitation will be at the Church an hour before Mass. In lieu of flowers donations to your favourite charity would be appreciated. A. Millard George Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements (519-433-5184). Online condolences, memories, and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

MILLER, Mary……

Mary (nee Shiels) Miller, in her 89th year, passed peacefully, with her daughter Judy by her side, at Extendicare London on Saturday, July 27, 2013. Dear wife of Campbell “Cam” Miller for 61 years. Proud Mum of Kathryn “Kathy” (nee Miller) Yeoell (Mark) of Vashon, Washington and Judith “Judy” (nee Miller) Al Fuady (Salim) of London. Loved Nana of Sean Yeoell. Survived by cousins in Scotland and nieces and nephews in St. Thomas and Listowel. The family would like to thank the staff at Longworth Retirement Residence and Extendicare London 3rd floor staff for their care and compassion. A special thanks to all the friends and “family” for their loving support over the past years. Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family one hour prior (12-1pm) to the memorial service, being held at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, on Friday, August 2, 2013 at 1pm. Private family interment in Cataraqui Cemetery, Kingston, Ontario. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Rotholme Women’s & Family Shelter – Mission Services of London, 415 Hamilton Road, London ON N5Z 1S1. Online condolences, memories, and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com