Passages: Bill Buchanan

We regret to announce that Bill Buchanan passed away on Monday at his home in Ville Emard at the age of 104. Pastor Beryl will lead a celebration of his life at SouthWest United this Saturday, with eulogy by Rev. Linda Buchanan, Bill’s grand-daughter. The family will welcome visitors in the church hall on Friday, September 20th from 6 to 9 PM. The funeral will take place Saturday, September 21st at 2PM.

Read the obit in the Montreal Gazette here

Bill in his WWII uniform.

Some of the “Bridge Gang” at SWU in 2011 : Bill Buchanan, Myrtle Buchanan, Margaret Craig, Helen Cameron, Matthew Craig, and Marvin Smith.

Passages: Linda Kotovich

We are sad to announce the passing of Linda Kotovich on August 27, 2019 at the Verdun General. Linda had been living at le Sommet, a senior’s residence on Gaetan Laberge near the hospital until she took a fall a few weeks ago. We do not have a lot of details about what happened but we had been told she was in palliative care. Those who visited Linda in recent weeks found her to be resting comfortably and seemingly at peace. She did not always recognize visitors but was happy to talk about her faith. At times her bright blue eyes seemed already to be glimpsing the next life.

Attending a Wednesday morning service at SouthWest Mission a few years ago.

Linda was a member of Verdun United Church for years and of SouthWest United since amalgamation. She had one child, her daughter Angela who passed away in 2011.

A celebration of Linda’s life will be led by pastor Beryl on Friday, September 6th at SouthWest United Church, at 10:30AM. A reception will follow in the church hall. Donations in loving memory gratefully accepted.

Passages

We hold in prayer the families of Audrey Wratten (1935-2019) and Jane Gangin (1923-2019).

Pastor Beryl led a celebration of Audrey’s life at Urgel Bourgie (Feron’s) in LaSalle on Thursday, August 1st. Interment will be on August 8th at the Field of Honour in Pointe Claire. Audrey’s three children were baptized in Verdun United churches and her daughter Kim was married by Rev. Nerny, who also baptized her children.

Pastor Beryl will preside at the interment of Jane Gangin, mother of Carolyn Grant, this Saturday, August 3rd at Mount Royal Cemetery. Carolyn attends SouthWest United and is related by marriage to Helen Pantridge.

In darkness, there is light,
in sadness, there is hope,
In death there is light, and love, and life everlasting.

In Memoriam: Alice McVeigh Crawley

We are saddened to announce the death of Alice McVeigh on May 3, 2019, at the age of 88. Beloved wife of the late John Crawley, mother of Danny and sister of Patricia Ovenstone.

She leaves to mourn many relatives and friends.

Rev. David Lefneski will lead a celebration of Alice’s life at the Urgel Bourgie funeral complex, 3955 Cote-de-Liesse in Ville St-Laurent on Sunday, May 19th at 3PM.

In Memoriam: Roy Sargent

Roy in front of SouthWest Mission, 2016.

Roy Horace Sargent, 1923-2019

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Roy Sargent, WW II Veteran, on May 6, 2019, at the age of 96. 

Beloved husband of the late Kathleen-Elizabeth Nolan, cherished father of Eileen, devoted grandfather of Kevin and Devlin.

Roy must have fibbed about his age in order to enlist at the beginning of World War II. He served in Canada’s Merchant Navy, an accomplishment he was justifiably proud of. Roy was part of SouthWest’s Remembrance Day services for 20 years, arriving in dress uniform (yes, it still fit) and placing wreaths on the altar along with fellow veterans.

Roy in his community garden, 2013. (Photo Mary Lamey)

Until about three years ago, Roy could still be seen almost daily riding his bike around Verdun, or working in his community garden plot, rain or shine. Many of his church friends were lucky recipients of fresh produce from the garden. His early rhubarb was especially coveted.

Roy attended services at the church and sang in the choir every Sunday until his health began to fail. He also faithfully attended Wednesday worship at the Mission until it ended a few years back. Roy was often charged with helping Rev. David choose the hymns. Roy will be sadly missed by his SouthWest family and all who knew him.

The family will receive condolences on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 from 10:30 am to 11:45 pm at Yves-Légaré Funeral Complex in Verdun (5784 Verdun avenue, corner Manning).

Rev. David will lead a Celebration of Life service Tuesday at 11:45, to be followed by interment at the Field of Honour cemetery in Pointe Claire.

Those wishing to offer condolences to the family can also do so on the Yves Légaré website.

In Memoriam: Evelynne Ringland

The following obituary ran in the Gazette this week. Please note the celebration of Evelynne’s life will be held at SouthWest United at 1PM Saturday, March 16th. Our deepest condolences to family and friends.

RINGLAND, Evelynne Joan 
1947-2019
It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Evelynne at St. Mary's Hospital on March 6. Evelynne was predeceased by her parents James and Elizabeth Ringland, her sister Mae and brothers-in-law Benny Cameron and Desi Grieve, and her nieces Elaine and Lianne. She is survived by her sister Anne, brothers Jim (Mary) and Tom (Ruth) and by nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at SouthWest United Church, 1445 Clemenceau, Crawford Park, Verdun on March 16, 2019, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. followed by the service.

Passages

All of us at SouthWest would like to offer condolences to Lynn Ovenstone on the passing of her husband Larry Sweeney and to Helen Kunz on the passing of her husband Bernard (Bernie). We hold the families in prayer.

Bernie and Larry will be remembered during the service at SouthWest this Sunday. Information about funeral arrangements will be shared in this space as it becomes available.

Passages: Faye Wakeling, in memoriam

It is with great sadness that we announce that Rev. Faye Wakeling, partner of Rev. Pierre Goldberger, has been called home by her Creator after a life well-lived as mother, partner, friend, minister and source of inspiration to so many because of her leadership.

 A service of celebration will be held at St. Columba House (2365 Grand Trunk, Montreal, H3K 1M8) on Saturday, December 15, 2018 with visitation beginning at 1  pm, and the service at 2 pm.

C'est avec tristesse que nous annonçons le décès de la Révérende Faye Wakeling, conjointe du Révérend Pierre Goldberger. Elle fut appelée à la maison par son Créateur après une vie bien vécue en tant que mère, partenaire, amie, pasteure, et une grande inspiration pour tant de personnes grâce à son leadership.

 Un service de célébration aura lieu à la Maison St-Columba (2365, Grand Trunk, Montréal, H3K 1M8) le samedi 15 décembre 2018 avec visite à partir de 13h et le service à 14h.

Passages: Margaret Samson

As some 24 gathered on the third Wednesday of the month at the Floralies residence in LaSalle, Margaret Samson Craig was sadly missed. She had enjoyed attending these outreach worship services, especially the singing of beloved hymns. Margaret's last service with us was in July. She died August 4th. Her family has requested a service of celebration on October 6th, 2018. More news to follow.

UPDATE: The Celebration of life has been scheduled for 11AM on Saturday, October 6th. It will be held at St-Lawrence Anglican church (520 75e Avenue, LaSalle, QC H8R 2P5) with Rev. David leading the service. Here is the obituary supplied by her daughter:

Samson, Margaret (Halvorsen) (Coates) (Craig)
February 6, 1932 - August 4, 2018
It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Margaret Samson on August 4, 2018 at Les Floralies Lasalle at the age of 86. Predeceased by her dear husbands Matthew Craig and Lionel Coates and her eldest daughter Jo-Ann Halvorsen Ramsay (Timothy)   She is survived by two of her children, Cheryl (Donald) and Gayle (Dale) and former husband F.Alfred Halvorsen . Grandmother of Christopher, Adam, Nathan, D'Arcy(Justin), Caitlin and Brenna. Great grandmother of Makayla, Riley and Coen. Margaret will be sadly missed by both Matthew’s children, Susan (Jean-Francois), Anne (Costa), Joan (Stan) and Lois; and Lionel’s - Lynda and Lesley.  SouthWest United invites you to attend a Celebration of the life of Margaret Hazel Samson to be held on Saturday, October 6th at 11:00a.m. at St. Lawrence Anglican Church - 520 75th avenue Lasalle, QC H8R 2P5. Small reception to follow in the church hall. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Parkinson's foundation or to the charity of your choice.

Passages: Joyce Healy

HEALY, Joyce (nee Tainsh) 1932 - 2018
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joyce at the age of 86, peacefully, with family by her side. Wife of the late Gerry Healy, she will be missed by her children Julie, Michael and Dawn (Gareth), her brother Bill (Nora), sister Heather (late Stan) and sisters-in-law Tippy (late Jimmy), Noreen, Jeanine (late Jimmy) and many nieces and nephews.
The family welcomes family and friends for visitation on Thursday, August 9, 2018 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at : Yves Légaré Lasalle, 7200 Boul. Newman, LaSalle, H8N 1X2.
A celebration of Joyce's life will be held on Friday, August 10, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at SouthWest United Church, 1445, Rue Clémenceau,Verdun ,Qc with a reception to follow.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the doctors and nurses at the Lachine Hospital for their wonderful support and care. A donation to  SouthWest United Memorial Fund would be appreciated.

Footnote: Joyce was the secretary at Verdun Elementary School for some 10 years and started the clothing room there which for the last ten years has been run by SouthWest Mission.