Jane Evelyn Edmonds
Ms. Jane Edmonds, born January 23, 1951, of Stratford, passed away peacefully after a heroic battle with cancer at the Stratford General Hospital, on Monday, February 9, 2009. Jane came to the Festival Theatre in 1971, working in a variety of administrative and marketing positions before moving to the archives in 1994. During her tenure, she initiated many projects vital to preserving the Festival’s history. She will be deeply missed by her loving sister Carol Boone and husband Russell, uncles Robert (Marie) and James Edmonds, aunts Helen Edmonds and Mildred Wybrow. Cherished by best friends Liz (Roemer) Clair and husband Jim and son Ryan (Nadine Phillips), as well as by “Mr. Al” Coleman. Remembered lovingly by godsons Trevor Clair (Roxi Furtunescu)and Gavin Ruttan, many cousins, step-nephews and nieces. Mourned by her devoted cats Stinky Pete and Riley. Jane was predeceased by her parents Douglas and Trudy (nee Pieper) Edmonds. Friends and relatives may call at St. James Anglican Church, 41 Mornington Street, Stratford, on Saturday, February 28, 2009, from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 2 p.m. The Venerable Dr. Lorne Mitchell will officiate. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Stratford General Hospital Foundation or The Stratford Shakespeare Festival Foundation through the funeral home.
Kathleen Ahrens
Elvira Kathleen Ahrens of Spruce Lodge, 643 West Gore Street, Stratford passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at the Stratford General Hospital on Friday, February 13, 2009, in her 81st year. Born in Cheshire, England, she was the daughter of the late Wallace Tracey Grice and the former Annie Elvira Haines. She had been employed at Spruce Lodge as a Licensed Practical Nurse for a number of years. She was a member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Stratford, a former member of the Mother’s Union and A.C.W. # 5 and a member of the O.S.P.C.A. Kathleen generously supported many animal and wildlife charities throughout her lifetime. Dear Mum of Martin Ahrens and wife Marika of Midlothian, Virginia, Paul Ahrens and wife Corrine of Kitchener and Donald Ahrens and partner Kelli of Stratford. Loving Grandmamma of Heidi and husband Erik, Tristan, Nicholas, Michelle and partner Juan-Carlos, Nicki and Dylan. Also lovingly remembered by great-granddaughter Coralie. Much loved sister of Roy Grice and wife Gladys, children Carol and Audrey and their families, all of Cheshire, England. She will be sadly missed by her dear cat, Penny. Relatives and friends will be received at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 9 Douro Street, Stratford on Monday, February 16, 2009 from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. Rev. Ted Hales will officiate. Cremation will follow with interment at Avondale cemetery , Stratford. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Stratford General Hospital Foundation through the Heinbuck Funeral Home, 156 Albert Street, Stratford www.heinbuck.com
Janette Brown
Janette Brown of Stratford, passed away at Spruce Lodge, 643 West Gore Street, Stratford, on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, in her 90th year. She was born in Keewatin, Ontario, and was the daughter of the late Andrew and June (Roy) Jones. She had been employed at Muirheads and Novatronics, prior to her retirement. Beloved wife of the late George Brown. Dear mother of Art Brown and Ken Brown and wife Emily, all of Stratford. Loving grandmother of Kimberley, Kelly and Christopher. Also survived by her great-grandchildren Madison, Connor and Nathan, a brother Ken Roy and wife Irene of Thunder Bay, a sister-in-law Garnet Jones of Keewatin and several nieces and nephews and their families. Besides her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a son Ralph Brown, a great-grandson Ian Douglas and her brother Andy Jones. There will be no funeral home visitation or service. Cremation will take place. Interment of her cremated remains will be in Avondale cemetery , Stratford. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society through the Heinbuck Funeral Home, 156 Albert Street, Stratford.
Donald Harvey Buckley
Donald Buckley, age 78, of Stratford passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, February 11, 2009. Beloved husband of Kathleen Buckley whom he married in 1955. Son of the late Walter and Mary Buckley. Survived by his children William Farmer of Stratford, Marianne Trotter (Dennis) and Janice White of Stratford. Also survived by his brother Ken Buckley, sister Barb Ellison (Bill) and Ruth Ney (Ross). Grandfather of Brett (Shellie), Michele (Tom), Matt (Vicky), Hayley, Cody, Nikolas and Alaya. Great-grandfather to Devin and Jack. Predeceased by a brother Doug and wife Doris Buckley, sister Marion and Husband Ralph Price and sister Joyce Fallows as well as by nieces Lynn, Susan and Patty and nephew Donald. Friends and relatives are invited to attend the interment which will be held at Avondale cemetery on Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow at the funeral home. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Diabetes Association through the funeral home.
Terry White
Terry Leslie White, age 60, of Stratford passed away surrounded by love, on to his reward, at the Stratford General Hospital on Wednesday, February 11, 2009. Born in St. Marys, son of Evangeline White of Stratford and the late Tom White. Beloved husband of Dora (Ponting) White of Stratford. Loving father of Richard White, Stratford, and Shalon Anderson and husband Jason, Stratford. Stepfather of Lisa DeGroote and friend Tom McLean, London, and Sherry Miller and husband Victor, Delhi. Cherished grandfather of Logan, Preston, Lauren, Natasha, Stephen, Hailey and Landon. Dear brother of Barb and Cecil, Listowel; Gail and Kevin, St. Marys; Sharon, Stratford; Susan and Don, St. Marys; Robert and Cheryl, London; Judy and Barry, Stratford, and David, Kingston. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Besides his father he was predeceased by twin brother Tom, sisters Gloria and Violet and sister-in-law Corrine. Friends and relatives may call at the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford, on Friday, February 13 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday at 2 p.m. with reception to follow. Captain Andrew Watkinson will officiate. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the Huron/Perth Lung Association through the funeral home.
Ernestine Tremblay
Ernestine Tremblay, age 83, passed away peacefully at People Care, Stratford, on Thursday, February 12, 2009. She was born in Marystown, Newfoundland, daughter of the late Ernest Walsh and the former Cecilia Green. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church and a 50-year member of the Catholic Women’s League. Beloved wife of Claude Tremblay who predeceased her July 8, 2006. Loving mother of Linda Jordan and her husband Brian, Stratford. Dear grandmother of Amber and her children Korbin and Kadin and grandmother of Sarah and her husband Raurri and their children Liam and Roen. Sister of Leona Fleming and her friend Russ and Cecilia and her husband John Meagher, Ernest Walsh and his wife Marjorie, all of Stratford, sister-in-law of Aulden Grant. Besides her parents and her husband she was predeceased by sisters Loretta Grant and Gertrude Power, brothers-in-law Edward Fleming, Stewart McInnes and Leo Power. Friends and relatives may call at the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford, on Monday, February 16, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Rev. Fr. Dick Bester will be celebrant. Interment will follow in Avondale cemetery. The CWL will hold a prayer service at the funeral home Monday at 3:30 p.m. As expressions of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice through the funeral home.
Viktorija Blazek
Viktorija Blazek, age 54, of Stratford passed away peacefully at the Stratford General Hospital on Sunday, February 8, 2009. Born in Pancevo, Serbia, daughter of the late Mihalj Cihoroski and the former Anna Klinko. Beloved wife of Jovan Blazek. Loving mother of daughter Nikolina Bajic and husband Dejan and their children Anna and Stefan; son Damir Vrataric-Blazek and wife Valentina, all of Belgrade, Serbia; stepdaughter Jelena Adair and husband Chris and their daughters Trinity and Anna of London, ON. Also survived by sister Maca, brothers Misa and Jovan all of Pancevo, Serbia. Friends and relatives may call at the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford, on Thursday, February 12, from 6-8 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Friday at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Avondale cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice through the funeral home.
Edward Cawston
Edward Cawston, 79, of Stratford, died at home on Feb. 3, 2009. He was born in Stratford, a son of the late Albert and Margaret Cawston. He was a bus driver with the City of Stratford for 32 years until his retirement. He was an avid race fan and in his early years he was part of the Lucky Lott Hell Drivers. He and his wife Dorothy enjoyed their winters in Florida for many years. He was the husband and caregiver for 54 years of Dorothy (Langridge). He is survived by his children Murray Cawston (Lori), Sue Foster (Kent), Tom Cawston (Christine), John Cawston (Kim) and Janet Riddell (Chris). A funeral service was held at W.G. Young Funeral Home on Feb. 7.
Theo Carl Litt
Theo Litt, 90, of Stratford, died at Greenwood Court on Feb. 4, 2009. He was the husband of the late Norma Michell, who died in 2003. He and Norma farmed in Ellice prior to moving to Stratford. They had been married for 61 years. He was a member of Sebringville United Church. He is survived by his son Larry and his wife Vera of Woodstock, Joan and her husband Bob Clarke of Gorrie, Bob and his wife Marie of Seaforth, Nancy and her husband Bill Knapp of Palmerston and Dianne and her husband Keith Arnold of Rostock. He was predeceased by his parents. A funeral service was held at W.G. Young Funeral Home on Feb. 7. Spring interment in Sebringville cemetery.
David George Padington
David Padington, 73, of Stratford died at Victoria Hospital in London on Feb. 4, 2009. He drove truck for Kroehler Furniture and VicWest until his retirement. He was an avid gardener and loved to be outdoors. He is survived by his wife Mary Labranche and his sons Jeff (Carrie) Padington, Gary and John McKerracher, his daughter Nancy (Gary) Telfer, stepson Mark (Deb) Labranche and stepdaughter Tammy Raycraft. He was predeceased by his parents Harold and Linnie (nee Gilbert) Padington. A memorial service was held at W.G. Young Funeral Home on Feb. 8.
Linda Jean (Jackie Lynn) Baker
Linda Jean Baker, 62, of Nile Street died at the Stratford General Hospital on Feb. 1, 2009. She was born in Tillsonburg and had lived in London and Stratford and was raised by Elsie Smale. She was employed at Fram Canada and later at Shoppers Drug Mart. She was a musician-entertainer and for many years had her own TV show, “Jackie Lynn Roundup,” on CFPL. She was a competitor at the Canadian Open Singing Contest at Simcoe for many years. She is survived by her children Dawn Baker and Mike Gould, Tammy Graham and Chad, Larry Baker and Tanya and Lisa Ward and Billy Jo. She was predeceased by her sons John Rooke and Tommy Baker. A celebration of her life was held at W.G. Young Funeral Home on Wednesday at 2 p.m.
