In Memoriam: Brian Carleton

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Brian Carleton on May 2nd. Brian was a familiar face at the Mission and at the church where he sang in the choir for many years. The following obituary that ran in the Gazette is a beautiful tribute to Brian by his sons.

CARLETON, Brian
February 22, 1936 - May 2, 2021

It is with heavy hearts that we announce today the passing of our dad, Brian Carleton. He left us on Sunday, May 2, 2021. His passing is not due to Covid, but simply to him deciding that it was his time to go. He was 85.

Brian was born in the city he loved the most, Montreal, on February 22, 1936. After surviving a difficult childhood, he broke out on this own, joining the Canadian navy before settling into a career in the printing industry. He married and had 3 sons, and, when this marriage ended he went on to meet and marry the love of his life, Colleen. His Irish rose. This marriage lasted until her death, and he carried her in his heart until the day he died.

Our father was a bon vivant in the best sense of those words. He loved all sports from watching to participating and coaching. His favorites were hockey (and his beloved Canadiens), golf, soccer, darts and essentially anything that was competitive. He sang in barbershop quartets, in choruses, he enjoyed travel but most of all he loved people. He squeezed every drop out of life. He was also a regular church goer with a deep faith in God.

We would like to thank our brother Craig for his devotion and in taking on the responsibility of caring for our father in his final years. They were a team. We would also like to thank the staff, doctors and nurses at Manoir Verdun, in particular our father's nurse Nathalie. You are all heroes.

He is survived by his sons, Craig, Jason (Julie) and Eric (Marie Eve and Chase) to whom he always gave understanding, love and compassion. He is also survived by his 3 grandchildren, Dana, Kyra (Michael) and Liam all of whom he loved with all of his heart.

Lastly, sometimes, at the end of our lives, we are stuck in bodies that just won't work any longer. We must remember, for our loved ones, that we know in our hearts that the mind is still there with all of its memories, feelings and passion, waiting for the day to be set free again. Well Dad, you are free now. Free to be with Colleen and all of the other loved ones you know. Now, you can go back to what you do best - laughing, loving and having fun. You will be missed, but we know you are in the best place of all. Heaven.

We love you.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Accueil - Fondation Champlain et Manoir-de-Verdun. Champlain-manoir.org

Published on May 8, 2021

In Memoriam: Beverly Page Ross

We are very sad to learn of the passing from this world of a lovely lady, Bev Ross.

Bev loved family, friends, animals, dancing, and travel - especially travel back to her childhood home in the Gaspé. Hope Town, Quebec is nestled next to the Baie des Chaleurs, a stone’s throw from New Brunswick. Bev always looked forward to trips back there in the summer.

Bev had beaten cancer more than once and fought through numerous other health problems over the years, always managing to stay upbeat. Maybe that’s how it is when you’re born in Hope Town. We don’t know details of this last illness, but it seems she had been in hospital for about a month before her death on March 4th.

Pre-deceased in 2007 by her husband Clyde, Bev was a loving mother to Harold, Heather and Glenn, as well as a grand-mother and great-grandmother.

Bev was on Facebook, where she kept in touch with many friends near and far. She will be missed by many at SouthWest United who enjoyed seeing her smiling face at services and events.

St. Andrew’s United Church in Hope Town, Qc.

“We line danced together for about 20 years,” recalls Helen Pantridge. “Our dancing group took two trips to Cuba.”

On Facebook, she liked to sign off at the end of the day with a “Good night, sleep well with sweet dreams”. We are wishing you the same, Bev.

In Memoriam: Ethel (Holloway) Jenkins

February 21, 1921 - January 20, 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ethel Jenkins, one month before her 100th birthday, from Covid-19.

As for many others, this past year had been hard on Ethel. Confined to her apartment during the pandemic, she saw the grocery delivery man and the CLSC nurse and that was about it. Still, she wasn’t one to complain. Little more than a month ago she was still walking up and down the hallway of her building for exercise. But she missed simple pleasures like tea with friends or a trip to the Dollar store.

Ethel spoke on the phone every day with her sister Phyllis, but even though they both lived in Verdun, because of the pandemic they had only seen each other a handful of times since last March. In December 2020 Ethel took a fall and ended up in hospital. On January 5th she was transferred to the Champlain hospital in Verdun for rehab. Unfortunately, several days into her stay she tested positive for the coronavirus. She was transferred to the Catherine Booth in NDG, where she passed away on Wednesday.

Ethel was a warm, upbeat person who people were drawn to. The thing about living to an advanced age, as she did, is you see so many go before you. In Ethel’s case that included her husband, George Jenkins. After this year of isolation, may she be surrounded by friends and loved ones as she passes into the next life.

Due to the pandemic, there will be no funeral at this time. We hold Phyllis, brother Harold and all who loved Ethel in prayer at this time of grief.

Ethel (centre) at a SouthWest barbecue in 2014 with Phyllis (left) and June Miller.

In Memoriam: Donald Cameron

It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of Don Cameron on December 13th after a life well lived.

“His health had taken a turn the last month,” says daughter Wendy, “but his passing was unexpected. Fortunately Mom, Andrew and his wife were with him and my nephews and I got to say goodbye on the phone.”

One of the sweetest men I’ve ever met, Donald always had a smile and a greeting for everyone. He particularly loved children, and never talked down to them. He happily dressed as Santa for several years at the Mission Christmas party.

As a Mason, Donald played in a pipe and drum band, and could occasionally be persuaded to drum for us at church on Christmas Eve or other special occasions. At SouthWest, he sang in the choir and sat on Church Council. At the annual Holly Tea, Donald could always be found selling raffle tickets, often with a young apprentice (Roman, then Theo) by his side.

He was a loving husband to Helen for 67 years, a proud father to Wendy, Andrew and the late Ian, and a devoted grandfather.

We have nothing to report about “arrangements”. As you know, funerals are severely restricted in these Covid times. I can report that Wendy has arrived from Ottawa and will spend Christmas with her mother.

Donald lives on in our memories as we hold his family in prayer.

Amy

A kilted Donald played his drum at the first official service of the newly amalgamated SouthWest United Church; Donald and Helen in October 2013 on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary.

In Memoriam: Shirley Robinson

[Hi folks, I know some of you will be shocked to hear that we have lost Shirley Robinson, and so soon after the passing of Lil Jones. Last Tuesday, two days after Lil died, Shirley went into palliative care. She passed away last Friday (August 7). Your newsletters had already been sent by the time I heard. -Amy]

Shirley Morrice Maynes Robinson, 1942-2020

Shirley loved to laugh. I remember a few years back when we did our “musical entertainments” in the church hall, Shirley would fill a table with friends from the Red Hat Society and they always seemed to be having the best time.

By the time I met her about ten years ago, Shirley had raised her family, she had put in her decades of work at Concordia and earned her pension, and she had met the love of her life, Ronnie Robinson. They would go on travels and adventures together, thoroughly enjoying their retirement, at least until Ronnie developed health issues. Even then, Shirley kept both of their spirits up with her irreverent sense of humour. She was devastated when Ronnie passed away in 2018.

At that time Shirley made the tough decision to move into the Cavalier LaSalle Residence, where I’m sure she quickly became known as the life of the party.

Then came 2020, and lockdown. Shirley was grateful to the staff at the Cavalier for keeping everyone safe, and she tried to keep a positive outlook, but she missed getting out, seeing family and friends. She also worried about Barbara Smith, who had been her neighbour at the Cavalier but who had been moved to a CHSLD when her health deteriorated. Shirley had been visiting her, but couldn’t now. They still talked on the phone.

Shirley developed her own health problems during lockdown, and towards the end of May, landed in hospital with shortness of breath. She had open-heart surgery on May 29th and was back home by June 10th. Things went well at first but the wound didn’t close properly and became infected. So it was back to hospital for a second surgery on June 25th. She came through it okay, but couldn’t seem to regain her strength.

She is mourned by her five daughters and three grandchildren as well as many, many friends. There will be a private memorial with her immediate family, and a celebration of life on Saturday August 15th at Rideau Gardens in Dollard-des-Ormeaux. The service, officiated by Pastor Beryl, will be live-streamed. Follow this link to find out more.

Shirley embodied the spirit of the Red Hats, an international women’s group inspired by the poem Warning, by Scottish writer Jenny Joseph (excerpt):

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

Rest in peace, dear Shirley.

To join the livestream of the celebration of Shirley’s life at 11AM Saturday, click here.

Read the obituary from the Montreal Gazette here.

Photo from Shirley’s Facebook profile.

In Memoriam: Lil (Harris) Jones

UPDATE: The following appeared in the Montreal Gazette on August 15th:

HARRIS-JONES, Lily

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lily Harris-Jones in her 94th year. Predeceased by her husband Earl Jones and survived by her loving son Brian and his wife Karen. Lil was a true character who will be missed by her family and friends. The family would like to thank Brenda Morris and family for all their care and love, as well as Helene Piche and Sheryl Skinner for their professionalism and friendship during her final years. Visitation will be at the Laurent Theriault Funeral Home, 510 rue de l'Eglise, Verdun, Quebec on Thursday, August 27, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. A service will be held at the Field of Honor in Pointe Claire, Quebec, on Friday August 28, at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a donation to a charity of your choice is preferred.

ORIGINAL POST:

March 22, 1926 - August 2, 2020

Feisty.
It’s a word that always seemed to fit Lil like a glove.
She lived life on her own terms and did not suffer fools gladly.
Born into the Roaring 20s, Lil Harris grew up in the lean, mean years of the Depression.

She was, as she once told me, “one of the first customers” of the new Verdun United Church when it opened on Woodland Avenue in 1931. She attended Woodland School (now Verdun Elementary) when there was a Girls’ side and a Boys’ side. There is a picture somewhere of her standing with her classmates on the steps of the Girls’ entrance, taken sometime in the 1930s. That door would become the door to SouthWest Mission from 2008 to 2019, where Lil would attend Wednesday services, pitch in to help with Wednesday lunches, and dress up like an elf for children’s Christmas parties.

During World War II, Lil was a teenager flirting with boys on the Verdun Boardwalk. She remembered ration cards and air raid drills, and girls drawing fake seams down the back of their bare legs with eyebrow pencil to give the illusion of silk stockings.

I started to interview Lil about her life last fall, back before the lockdown. She wasn’t very comfortable talking on the phone and I kept saying I would go by and see her one day. Even then, her physical limitations meant she wasn’t getting out to church often. I talked to Lil a few times after the pandemic hit, to get news of what was happening at the Floralies Lasalle where she lived, and to make sure she was receiving her Friday newsletter (she was, but sometimes more than a week late as the residence carefully disinfected everything coming in). She managed to avoid Covid-19, although dozens of residents became infected, but the isolation took a toll.

Our face-to-face interview never happened, so there are many years of Lil’s life I don’t know about. Some of you probably know much more. I know that for decades she gave of her energy and talents to help keep our church going. And she made sure others did their part too: Lil would sidle up to you on a Sunday morning and request - order is more like it - a tray of your trademark squares or a three-bean-salad for the next church event. Braver women than I have been intimidated by that gravelly voice and those piercing blue-green eyes. Incidentally, we all knew Lil had a longer given name, but we were not permitted to use it. “Lil” would do just fine.

She was a good sport who loved good food and playing bingo. She will be sadly missed.

Lil had made pre-arrangements with Laurent Theriault Funeral Home, but as of this printing we don’t know any specifics about a celebration of life. Messages of condolence can be left on their website here.

At SouthWest, 2005

Amy

Farewell

In the midst of the stress and isolation of this pandemic, our church community suffered a shocking loss this week, unrelated to Covid-19.

Steve Scales, who sang in the choir and as a soloist for many years, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, May 5th. He was 67. It may have been a heart attack or an aneurism, but we may never know for sure. I wish I could give you a clear explanation, or make sense of this somehow, but it is senseless.

Since the pandemic started, Steve and I had talked on the phone several times: me checking with him about the condition of his brother and sister-in-law who had Covid-19, Steve worrying about everyone who was sick or in isolation. We always had a laugh or two in spite of everything.

I feel lucky to have had a visit with him and Aline recently, when I went by to take their picture for the newsletter (it was printed just last week). Before I arrived, Steve had prepared a little sign with the message “Peace be with you,” which he is holding up in the picture. It almost makes me wonder if Steve had a premonition that something was going to happen to him, but no, I think that was just Steve.

There are few people of whom it’s possible to say: he was always kind, he was always thoughtful – but that was Steve. I never knew him to have a quarrel with anyone. He wasn’t a pushover - he just chose to overlook our failings and see the best in all of us. Despite the suddenness of his death, I truly believe Steve was right with God and right with the world when he passed. Because he always was.

Steve was so important to so many people, his absence will be felt deeply, in and out of our church community. At SouthWest we will miss his singing, and his sweet, funny way of reading the weekly announcements. Steve was very involved in our In Touch Ministry, but it was never a job to him. Steve would have called and checked in with people, and visited people, whether there was a formal thing called In Touch or not. That was just who he was. He had an amazing empathy and love for people.

I apologize to anyone who is just finding this out as they read the newsletter.

I know we will all be holding Aline in our hearts and prayers in the days and weeks to come. We look forward to the day when we can celebrate Steve’s life in style.

Amy

Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.      (Shakespeare)

In his element.

Steve and Aline with Linda Dixon, Christmas 2011.

Goofing around at the St-Jean Baptiste BBQ, 2015. Photo by Helen Pantridge.

April, 2020.

In Memoriam: Cécile Desrochers-Castonguay

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Cécile Desrochers-Casgonguay, on April 20 due to Covid-19.  She was 93 and a regular attendee at our Wednesday services at the Floralies LaSalle.

Here is the obituary from the Gazette:

DESROCHERS-
CASTONGUAY, Cécile
1926 - 2020

On Monday, April 20, 2020, Cécile Desrochers Castonguay of LaSalle passed away at the age of 93 years. She succumbed to COVID-19. She was predeceased by her husband André Castonguay in 2014. She will be lovingly remembered by her sister, Mrs. Jeannine Simonsen (née Desrochers) from Ottawa, her sister-in-law, Ms. Orietta Castonguay, several nieces and nephews among others, Ms. Diane Ellison who has journeyed with her since 2012, as well as several grandnieces and grandnephews. Madame Desrochers Castonguay will also be warmly remembered by members of her extended family and dear friends. The celebration of her life and a Mass will be "virtually" held (via a computer) on Monday, May 11, 2020. The family will receive condolences from 10:30 a.m. and the Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. All instructions for participating will be available by contacting the Salon Yves Légaré, Ville Lasalle, at 514 595-1500 or by email at lasalle@yveslegare.com. Her family would like to thank the staff of Les Floralies de Ville in LaSalle for their support and care. May everyone who cared for her, showed kindness and was involved with Madame Cécile Desrochers Castonguay consider our gratitude as being personally addressed to them. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the charity of your choice in memory of Mrs. Cécile Desrochers Castonguay would be appreciated."The brighter the radiance, the thicker the obscurity. It is impossible to appreciate light without knowing darkness."
Jean-Paul Sarte

Published on May 2, 2020

In Memoriam: Carolyn Grant

UPDATE: Here is Carolyn’s obituary from the Gazette:

BURKE, Carolyn
nee Grant
1948-2020

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a wonderful wife, mother, nana and friend. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her loving and devoted husband Ted. Her daughters Kelly (Wayne), Victoria (Dave) and the Prides of her life Noah Boah, Sammy Whammy, Charlie Barley and Lea, as well as Uncle Andy (Punkie), loving Friends Kathy, Gilbert and Kathleen, Jim and Delores. Thank you Honey for being an inspiration and for sharing your love and passion for life with us all. Special thanks to DR. Victor Cohen who guided us through a tough ten years of battling cancer, and Bridget (Special Angel).110-10-4 Forever
A private funeral will be held with her family.Please consult and sign the virtual register at www.urgelbourgie.com

ORIGINAL POST:

It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of Carolyn, on April 6th, after a brave fight with cancer. Beloved wife of Ted and mother of Vicki and Kelly, she is also sadly missed by three grandsons and a step-granddaughter. Carolyn often attended services at SouthWest with Helen Pantridge. Due to the pandemic, there are no plans for a funeral in the near future. Our prayers are with the family at this difficult time.

If you knew Carolyn, we invite you to light a candle in her memory and repeat the familiar words:

In darkness there is light
In sadness there is hope
And even at death there is light, and love, and life everlasting. Amen

Celebration of Life: Carol (Davie) Smith

Carol Smith

1947-2019

Peacefully and surrounded by family, Carol left this world on Saturday December
7th 2019 at the age of 71. She leaves to mourn her Husband of 54 wonderful years
Richard, her Children Stephen (Rita) and Tracey (Michael) as well as her
brothers Doni (Rose) and Wayne, her Precious grandchildren Cathleen, Michael,
Samantha, Kirsten, Ethan, Emily and her great grandchildren, Melissa, Shanon
Alexis, Tessanne, Hunter and Sienna, as well as dearly loved nieces and nephews
and so many friends.

She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all those whose lives she touched with her kindness, compassion and beautiful spirit.

Pastor Beryl will lead a celebration of Carol’s life at Actuel funeral home, 4500 Verdun Avenue, tonight, December 20th at 7PM.