Services & Obituaries

WATT, Joan Margaret…

It is with great sorrow that we announce the loss of Joan Margaret Watt in her 93^rd year. She passed away peacefully at Arbor Trace Memory Centre, London, on Monday, March 15, 2021.

Cherished aunt of Barbara McLatchie (nee Fetchison) and her husband Kenneth, and the late Robert Fetchison and his wife Chantale. Loving great-aunt of Andre (Cindy Johnston), Nick (Mariah Luchsinger) and Camille Fetchison, and Christopher and Matthew McLatchie. Dear great-great-aunt to Mason Johnstone and Liam Fetchison. Also missed by many relatives and friends.

Predeceased by her sister Constance Fetchison (2020) and her nephew Robert Fetchison (2021).

With her patient, caring and generous nature, it was not surprising that Joan chose a career in education. She took her training as a teacher at the London Normal School, which was the teacher’s college of the time. Following graduation in 1950, Joan began a rewarding and successful career by teaching in the elementary grades in a number of smaller Ontario towns (Eganville, Crowland, Oshawa and St. Thomas). She returned to her hometown in 1967 to continue teaching in various London elementary schools. After taking additional courses, Joan earned her Specialist Certificate in Special Education in 1970 which allowed her to embark on a new direction in her teaching career in a position which is now known as a resource support teacher. She continued in this challenging and fulfilling role at various London schools until her retirement in 1984.

Joan’s retirement was a busy and happy one, and she filled it with her favourite interests and pastimes. Her love of history and the past was reflected in her involvement over many years with Museum London, the London branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO), and the Elgin County Museum in St. Thomas. Joan was a keen gardener and volunteered for many years with the annual Geranium Walks (later known as Geranium Heritage House tours) presented each June by the ACO. Joan enjoyed painting, usually in watercolours, and took classes to perfect her skills. As a volunteer for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Joan took great pride in creating tactile books for visually impaired children. She continued her interest in reading and literature as a member of a book club, whose members met regularly to discuss the books they had read. Retirement also allowed Joan to spend more time travelling, and she enjoyed many exciting and memorable trips to destinations such as Russia, Britain, the United States, Spain, Portugal and South Africa. Often, she was accompanied by her sister Connie and teaching friends she had met during her long career.

Throughout her life, family and friendship were always of great importance to Joan. She cared for her aging parents at home with love and devotion until their passing. She always took an interest in the lives of those dear to her, helping them in whatever way she could. She was a sweet, loving and gentle person who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Special thanks to the nurses and staff at Arbor Trace Memory Care Centre for the warm and compassionate care given to Joan in her final years. Cremation has taken place. A private family graveside service will take place at Woodland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory can be made to the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of London, 184 Horton Street East, London ON N6B 1K8. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs can be shared at www.amgfh.com

HAYWARD, Robert….

Robert “Bob” Knox Hayward (aka Buckskin Bob), of London, passed away unexpectedly at University Hospital, London, on March 15, 2021 in his 96th year. Born in London, Ontario, on March 23rd, 1925, son of the late Aubrey and Gertrude (Wood) Hayward. Beloved brother of the late Barbara (Hayward) Wallace of Mundelein, Illinois. Bob is survived by two nieces and one nephew of Illinois, and is fondly remembered by various cousins, Elizabeth Barker and Susan and Stuart Lindsay and second cousins, Tom Luttermann and Marian Parent. Bob will be missed by his long-time friends, Mike Dawdy of London and Jane Coughlan of Toronto. Bob was an avid naturalist his entire life and wrote various articles for London Nature Magazine and The London Free Press. He loved reading, especially about Canada’s history and the indigenous peoples. Bob was first influenced as a London South CI student by his teacher, Mr. Calvert, who sparked Bob’s interest in bird watching. Bob had logged 515 species in North America. Bob worked for years as a bookkeeper and at Canadian Tire. Cremation has taken place. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, there will be no service at this time. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Wildlife Federation at www.cwf-fcf.org/. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home. Online condolences, memories and photographs can be shared at www.amgfh.com.

Past red and gold reflections

In the water

My birch-bark canoe glides along

As silently as an otter

Other canoeists in other times

Have come this way

Their Hawk feathers twisting

In the wind

Algonquin and wild Ojibway

I slip my paddle and drift

It is easy to imagine a distant

Echo of native drums

Until an errant current gives

The canoe a lift

Stopping by a beaver dam here

The bark canoe seems a creature of the wild woods

Akin to the bear and the deer.

– Bob Hayward (a.k.a. Buckskin Bob)

BOUCHER, Junne….

At University Hospital, London on Monday, March 15, 2021, Junne (Winslow) Boucher in her 98th year. Beloved wife of the late Bill Boucher (1981). Dear mother-in-law of Wayne Parker (Connie). Cherished grandmother of Janice Wiersma (Jim), Bob Parker (Sue), and great-grandmother of Laryssa Parker and Michelle Wiersma. Dearly missed by Allan Cross (Barbara). Predeceased by her stepdaughter Dorothy Parker, her parents William and Clara Winslow, her sisters Clara, Audrey and Phyllis.  A private graveside service will be held at Woodland Cemetery, London. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Humane Society of London & Middlesex, 624 Clarke Road, London, ON N5V 3K5. A. Millard George Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

MARSHALL Barbara Evelyn………

Peacefully, at McGarrell Place, London, on Sunday, March 14, 2021, Barbara Evelyn Marshall (nee Blackwell), in her 91st year, of natural causes.

Survived by her daughter Leigh-Anne Fosdahl (Patrick) of Castro Valley, CA, and her grandchildren, Collin (Veronica), Jonathan, and Adam Fosdahl, and Hanna Raschl-McRonald. Also survived by her stepchildren Andrew (Margaret) of London, Nancy Moore (Tim) of Phuket, Thailand, Paul (Kelly) of London, and her stepgrandchildren Davidson (Laura Williams) and Abigail Marshall, Joel, Matthew (Keara), and Katie Moore, Joshua Marshall and Sarah (Adam) Lyle, and her step great grandchildren Judah and Whitney Moore, Marshall and Connor Lyle, and their baby sister on the way. Predeceased by her son, Ian Robert Francis McRonald (2014) (Heike Raschl), husbands, Donald George Marshall (2009), Ian Fergus McRonald (1962), her brother, Frank (2013) (Bernice), and her parents, Frank (1954) and Eva May (nee Holmes) (1999)

Born in London on September 13, 1930, she grew up in south London. She graduated from London Bible College and then enrolled in Victoria Hospital School of Nursing.

While in her last year, she married Ian and after graduating, moved with him to Toronto. After Ian was tragically killed in a traffic accident, she moved back to London to raise her children as a single mother. She was close friends with Jean (“Davey”) Marshall from nursing school and after Jean also died, of cancer, Barb and Don married each other.

Because of the current social distancing rules there will be no funeral or visitation.  A private family interment service will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London.

The family wishes to thank the staff of McGarrell Place and Dr. Karen Lo for their kind and meticulous care for Barb. In lieu of flowers please consider donations in Barb’s memory to the Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex, 435 Windermere Road, London, ON, N5X 2T1, or to the 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

BELL, M. Jean…

Peacefully, at the Village of Glendale Crossing, London, on Saturday, March 13th, 2021, Jean Bell passed away in her 94th year. Beloved wife of the late Albert “Ab” Bell (2013). Loving mother of Susan Onn and her husband Stephen of St. Thomas, Brian Bell and his wife Linda of London, and David Bell of British Columbia. Cherished grandmother of Amanda Marcinkiewicz and her husband Stephen, Heather Dale and her husband Jamey, Wendy Gordon, Zachary and Seth Bell, Christine Bell, Michael Bell, and his partner Amber Loder, Allison Bell and her partner Mat Nash, and Brenda Bell and her partner Jamie Dyson. Dearly loved by her great-grandchildren Maddy and Emelia Marcinkiewicz, Tyler Van Duynhoven, Troy Dale, Jacob Gordon-Onn, Jesse Gordon, Atticus Styles, E.J. and Paris Dube and Wyatt Bell. Dear aunt of Ruth and Bob Young, Jim and Wanda Bowie and Margaret Bowie. Predeceased by her brother Bill Bowie and her sister-in-law Marion Bowie. Mom and Dad were treasurers of the London Teacher’s Credit Union for 15 years. She then started and successfully ran her discontinued China business for many years, as well as having time to be an active part in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Cremation has taken place and a private graveside service will take place at Woodland Cemetery, London. Jean’s family would like to thank the staff and residents at Glendale Crossing and Grandwood Park for their care and friendship to Mom. In memory of Jean, sympathy donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex, 435 Windermere Road, London, ON, N5X 2T1. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

VANVUGT, Cornelia Catharina “Cora” (nee Verburgt)….

On Sunday, March 7, 2021, in her 93rd year at Extendicare London. Cornelia was born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, eldest daughter of Gerarda vanderMeel and William Verburgt. Cornelia married Arnold “Nol” vanVugt in 1953 (deceased 2012) and was the proud and loving mother of Alexandra Harkins (Michael), Janice Denomme (Peter) and Michael vanVugt (Mary Ellen). She was “Oma” to seven grandchildren: Amanda, Christine, Vanessa, Allison, Janice, Robert and Beth; and ten great-grandchildren: Amber, Tyler, Isabella, Leah, Gannon, Cole, Leo, Mason, Cooper and Chloe. Dear sister of Wilhelmina “Willy” (Charlie) of London, Ontario and William “Bill” (Joyce) of Langley, British Columbia. Predeceased by sisters Catharina “Toos” van Son of Haarlem, The Netherlands and Gerarda “Gerda” Slykhuis of Bradford, Ontario. Loving aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place and a private family memorial has been held. A Memorial Mass and reception will be held at St. Francis-St. Martin Parish at a later date. Interment in St. Peter’s Cemetery, London. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 201-1599 Hurontario Street, Mississauga, ON L5G 4S1 would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

MUTSAERS, Peter….

Passed away peacefully at Victoria Hospital, London on Sunday, March 7, 2021 in his 78th year.  Beloved husband of Cathy. Loving father of Paul, Matthew (Andrea) and Krista (Paul). Cherished Opa of Emma, Josh, Tyler, Holly and Callie. Dear brother of Jan (Ena), Ad (Wilma), Walter (Diane) and Willy. Predeceased by Cathy Van Mierlo, Johanna Mutsaers and Peter Verbeem. Peter will be dearly missed by his devoted dog Gracie.  Cremation has taken place. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the London Regional Cancer Program, 747 Baseline Road East, London, ON N6C 2R6 or Diabetes Canada 1300-522 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2R5. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

FILIPPI, Judy…

At home surrounded by her family on Friday, March 5, 2021, Judy (Posno) Filippi in her 78th year. Beloved wife of late Ernie Filippi (2001). Loving mother of Mark Filippi (Shelly), Tim Filippi (Sharon) and Tom Filippi (Becca) all of London. Cherished grandma of Dominique, Karly, Hailey, Hunter and James. Dear sister of Ruth Haddow (and the late Dennis), Bill Posno (Sue) and Reverend Dennis Posno (Kim). The family would like to thank the staff at Byron Family Medical Centre for their care and attention of Judy. A private family service will be held. Friends are invited to watch the funeral service from the comfort of their homes, by visiting this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK0h6H2ElwA. As per the directive of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, all those attending the funeral home are required to wear masks and follow COVID-19 protocols. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, London. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the London Regional Cancer Program, 747 Baseline Road East London, ON N6C 2R6 or Humane Society of London, 624 Clarke Road, London, ON N5V 3K5. A. Millard George Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

BRINDLEY, Twila….

It is with sadness we announce the passing of Twila Brindley, 87, on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, peacefully at Parkwood Palliative Care after a battle with cancer. Predeceased by her beloved husband Jack Brindley (2004). Dear stepmother of Doreen Ditchfield, Debby Bales, John and Janice Brindley, and Rob and Kim Ditchfield. She will also be missed by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Twila was a retiree of London Life where she worked for 39 years.

Cremation has taken place and at Twila’s request, no funeral or memorial service will be held. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, London. In lieu of flowers and donations, Twila had requested for everyone to take a moment to Pay It Forward or to complete a Random Act of Kindness. A simple phone call or a small gesture can go a long way. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

I took his hand when I heard him call, I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day, to laugh, to live, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way, I’ve found my peace at the close of the day.
If parting has left a void, then fill it with memories of joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I’ve savoured much – good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Life up your hearts and share with me, God wanted me now, he set me free.

PINCHES, Joyce B…….

On March 1^st 2021 , shortly before her 95th birthday, Joyce passed away peacefully at their apartment in Grand Wood Park retirement home. She is survived by her best friend and loving husband Tom. The two of them shared an incredible bond and were inseparable during their 64 years together. She is also survived by her son Brian (Teresa) and her grandsons Wesley and Austin. Born and raised in Dashwood Ontario, Joyce was the only child to Adam Wesley and Beatrice (Graybiel) Engeland. Joyce had been an active member at Elmwood Ave Presbyterian Church as part of the Elmwood Ladies Fellowship, the Bible Study group, as well as assisting with the Community Breakfasts for people in need. Her lifelong hobbies included baking, knitting, crocheting, quilting and square dancing with Tom. We would like to thank Iesha and the entire staff at Grand Wood Park, Paramed and the VON palliative care team. The compassion our family received during this difficult time will never be forgotten. A special thank you to our exceptional and wonderful family physician and friend, Dr. Joanne Hammond. Joyce will always be remembered as a lady, considerate and compassionate and always willing to lend a hand while putting others before herself. Sadly, due to Covid-19, a private service will be conducted with a celebration of life to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you do an unexpected random act of kindness for someone else.  Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com.