Services & Obituaries

WESTLAND:
At Meadow Park Nursing Home, London on Wednesday, January 16, 2008. Dorothy G. (Denning) Westland of London in her 99th year. Beloved wife of the late Owen Westland. Dear mother of Sharon Westland and her partner Gloria Leckie. Predeceased by her brother James Denning and her sisters, Maud Warnock, Lela MacKenzie and Evelyn Davenport. Also loved by several nieces and nephews. A private family graveside service was held at Woodland Cemetery, London on Friday, January 18th. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the London Regional Cancer Program, 747 Baseline Road East, London, ON N6C 2R6. A. Millard George Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements 519-433-5184. On line condolences accepted at www.amgeorgefh.on.ca

GILLIS…..
Peacefully, surrounded by her family and friends at Victoria Hospital, on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, Wendy Ann (Boyne) Gillis of London in her 62nd year. Loving mother of Meaghan Gillis of London. Adoring grandmother of Carly Smith. Loving sister of Karen Genthon (Jim Rusu) of Winnipeg and Jeff Boyne (Colleen) of White Rock, B.C.. Also missed by Jim Smith, Don Gillis and her nieces and nephews. Dear sister-in-law of Gary Gillis (Christine). Greatly missed by Susan,Iris and countless friends, colleagues and patients. Predeceased by her parents Stan and Noreen, her niece and god-daughter Shannon and her sister-in-law Elaine. Wendy was born in Peguis Manitoba and her early years were spent in Woodlands and Winnipeg. She moved with the family to Penticton, B.C. and returned to Manitoba and entered nursing at the Winnipeg General Hospital, graduating in 1969. She married Don and moved to London shortly after. Meaghan was born in 1980. Wendy continued to work in nursing, which she loved, managing to raise Meaghan ,and to go on to earn her Master’s degree . She spent the last years of her career working as a nurse practitioner in oncology . Along the way she touched many lives. Wendy was a lifelong, active and faithful member of the Anglican Church and will be sadly missed by the Parishes of St. Albans and Christ Church. Wendy loved life, traveling, gardening, cooking for friends and reading, especially at Iris’ cottage at Caddy Lake. Her life was filled with music; she especially loved the blues. She was as handy with a hammer and drill as she was in the garden or kitchen. In 2005, Wendy became a grandmother when a beautiful baby girl was born to Meaghan and Jim Smith. Her name is Carly and she was a joy and blessing to Wendy from the moment she was born. Wendy was generous of heart and spirit and her final gift as an organ donor was the most precious gift of all. Friends will be received by the family from 2-4 and 7-9pm Sunday, January 18, 2009 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The funeral service will be conducted on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 2:00pm at Christ (Anglican) Church, 138 Wellington Street (at Hill Street), London, with Reverend Canon Greg W. Smith officiating. Cremation. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Christ Church Memorial Fund, 138 Wellington Street, London ON N6B 2K8 or Canadian Mental Health Association London-Middlesex Branch, 648 Huron Street, London ON N5Y 4J8. Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com

PLESTED
At the Dearness Home in London on Tuesday, January 15, 2008, Gwen (Husson) Plested of London in her 90 th year. Dear wife of the late Clarence G. Plested. Loving mother of Marilyn Groeneveld and her husband De and Irwin Plested and his wife Carol. Also loved by her grandchildren Erica Ferenczy and her husband Stephan, Dawn Herbert and her husband Steve and Christopher Plested. Gwen is survived by her 4 great-grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends one hour prior to a memorial service which will be held in the chapel of the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Dr. David McKane officiating. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 442 Adelaide Street North, London, Ontario, N6B 3H8 or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences accepted at www.amgeorgefh.on.ca

GILLIS…Peacefully, surrounded by her family and friends at Victoria Hospital, on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, Wendy Ann (Boyne) Gillis of London in her 62nd year. Loving mother of Meaghan Gillis of London. Adoring grandmother of Carly Smith. Loving sister of Karen Genthon (Jim Rusu) of Winnipeg and Jeff Boyne (Colleen) of White Rock, B.C.. Also missed by Jim Smith, Don Gillis and her nieces and nephews. Dear sister-in-law of Gary Gillis (Christine). Greatly missed by Susan,Iris and countless friends, colleagues and patients. Predeceased by her parents Stan and Noreen, her niece and god-daughter Shannon and her sister-in-law Elaine. Wendy was born in Peguis Manitoba and her early years were spent in Woodlands and Winnipeg. She moved with the family to Penticton, B.C. and returned to Manitoba and entered nursing at the Winnipeg General Hospital, graduating in 1969. She married Don and moved to London shortly after. Meaghan was born in 1980. Wendy continued to work in nursing, which she loved, managing to raise Meaghan ,and to go on to earn her Master’s degree . She spent the last years of her career working as a nurse practitioner in oncology . Along the way she touched many lives. Wendy was a lifelong, active and faithful member of the Anglican Church and will be sadly missed by the Parishes of St. Albans and Christ Church. Wendy loved life, traveling, gardening, cooking for friends and reading, especially at Iris’ cottage at Caddy Lake. Her life was filled with music; she especially loved the blues. She was as handy with a hammer and drill as she was in the garden or kitchen. In 2005, Wendy became a grandmother when a beautiful baby girl was born to Meaghan and Jim Smith. Her name is Carly and she was a joy and blessing to Wendy from the moment she was born. Wendy was generous of heart and spirit and her final gift as an organ donor was the most precious gift of all. Friends will be received by the family from 2-4 and 7-9pm Sunday, January 18, 2009 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The funeral service will be conducted on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 2:00pm at Christ (Anglican) Church, 138 Wellington Street (at Hill Street), London, with Reverend Canon Greg W. Smith officiating. Cremation. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Christ Church Memorial Fund, 138 Wellington Street, London ON N6B 2K8 or Canadian Mental Health Association London-Middlesex Branch, 648 Huron Street, London ON N5Y 4J8. Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com

McNIFF:
Suddenly at his residence in Toronto on Monday, January 14, 2008, Kenneth Ralph McNiff, in his 49th year. Sadly missed by his partner and best friend Gary McCarthy, his dear friend Allan Wortman and his brother and sisters, Stanley McNiff (Kathy), Margaret McNiff (Robert), Patty Dowling (Fred), Catherine Cornish (Bruce) and Linda Soares (Manuel). Predeceased by his parents, Stanley and Gwendolyn McNiff and his son Scotty. Also loved by many nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. At Ken’s request there will be no visitation or funeral service. A. Millard George entrusted with arrangements 519-433-5184. On line condolences accepted at www.amgeorgefh.on.ca

SPENCER, Marion
At University Hospital, London on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, after a short illness. Predeceased by her parents Elinor and Jack Clode and her younger sister Ruth. Dearest friend and adored life partner of Don for 49 years, dear mother of David (Kathy) of London, Douglas (Sonia) of Ottawa and Craig (Erin) of Toronto. Proud grandmother of Jennifer, Daniel, Zoë, Samuel, Stefan (deceased), McKenna and Smith. Marion was a highly regarded teacher in North York and at the Children’s Psychiatric Research Institute in London and a committed volunteer in church, children’s and youth groups, the C.N.I.B. and the Palliative Care Unit at Parkwood Hospital London. Marion will be remembered lovingly as a classic swimmer, an enthusiastic canoeist and walker, and a lover of the outdoors. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2008 from 3-5 p.m. at Metropolitan United Church, 468 Wellington Street, London. A service celebrating Marion’s life will be held at the church on Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of other remembrances, gifts to the Women’s Community House, 101 Wellington Road, London, Ontario, N6C 4M7 or to the Rotholme Women’s and Family Shelter, 42 Stanley Street, London, Ontario, N6C 1B1 or a helping agency of your choice would be greatly appreciated. Special thanks to the skilled and compassionate nurses and doctors at University Hospital and warm appreciation to Dr. W. G. Ellyatt, family physician, for his wise care for over 30 years. Online condolences accepted at www.amgeorgefh.on.ca

WHITE:
Velda Marie (Wright) White, on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at Huronview, Clinton, formerly of London, age 95 years. Beloved mother of David White and his wife Margaret, Carol Yull, Norman White, John White and James White and his wife Josephine. Also loved by her 9 grandchildren and her 10 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by her parents, Samuel Wright and Eliza Young, her husband James “Mac” White (1959), her son-in-law Gordon Yull (1996), her grandson Christopher White (2004) and her sister Venita McCully (2004) Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held at Woodland Cemetery, 493 Springbank Drive, London on Saturday, January 12th at 11:00 a.m.
As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice. A. Millard George Funeral Home 519-433-5194 entrusted with arrangements. On line condolences accepted at www.amgeorgefh.on.ca

DIETZ
At Twin Lakes Terrace in Sarnia on Monday, January 7, 2008 Doris (Maguire) Dietz in her 91st year. Loving wife of the late Harry Dietz. She will be sadly missed by her granddaughter Stacey Cornelious and her husband Jeff Storey, grandson Mark Cornelious and his wife Heather, great- grandchildren Hadley, Rhys, Robyn and Hannah, and nephew Frank Maguire. Predeceased by her son Robert (Bob) Cornelious. Friends will be received one hour prior to a funeral service which will be conducted in the chapel of the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, on Friday, January 11, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. with Reverend Julia Morden officiating. Interment at Woodland Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences accepted at www.amgeorgefh.on.ca

ALDRIDGE

At Chelsey Park Retirement Community on Sunday, January 6, 2008, Gladys (Cook) Aldridge of London in her 93 rd year. Gladys had a great love of history and family history. She wrote a book on her mothers family and was anxiously working on her fathers family history. She just needed more time. She was the loving wife of the late Alfred R. Aldridge. Dear sister of W. George Cook of Hamilton, Ontario. Sister-in-law of George Richer of Parry Sound. Also loved by her nephew Bill Reader and his wife Sheila of British Columbia, Ken and his wife Joan of Alberta and her niece Valerie and her husband Bruce Hughson of Barrie. Predeceased by her sisters Mrs. Winnifred (Reader) Richer, Mrs. Violet (Ross)Marion, Mrs. Maude (MacDonald)Jacobs and her sister-in-law Charlotte Cook of Hamilton. The family will receive friends one hour prior to a funeral service which will be held in the chapel of the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Gwen Fraser officiating. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to a charity of choice. On line condolences accepted at www.amgeorgefh.on.ca

MENZIES…..

At her residence in Toronto on Saturday, January 5th, 2008, Catherine-Jo Joey” (McCarthy) Menzies in her 56th year. Loving mother of Keir Menzies (Kseniya) of Toronto. Dear daughter of Marguerite “”Reta”” and Bill McKenzie of London and predeceased by her father John McCarthy. Beloved sister of Ravinn Gonzo and her husband George of AB and Pamela Dedic and her husband Vit of Oakville. Also missed by her nieces Tebbie”