SMITHS FALLS -- Mary Cynthia Dalgleish, 90, formerly of Lombardy and Smiths Falls, died May 25, 2003 at St. Lawrence Lodge, where she was a resident.
She was born in Port Elmsley on August 14, 1912, to David Clements and his wife, the former Fanny Churchill.
She attended schools in Port Elmsley and Perth and was well known for competitive public speaking.
She married Donald H. Dalgleish in 1935 and resided on the family farm at Lombardy, later moving to Smiths Falls, where she was the bookkeeper/manager for the family delivery and trucking business for many years.
Her interest in writing lyrics and poetry continued throughout her life. She was an avid reader and enjoyed discussing politics and current issues.
She was also known for her keen sense of humour and was an excellent homemaker and remarkable cook.
In later life, due to health challenges, she lived at St. Lawrence Lodge, where she made many friends.
Mrs. Dalgleish is survived by her son Ronald and wife Jane of Brockville, and three grandchildren, Brent Dalgleish and wife Sandra of Brockville, Shelley Dalgleish-Schnurr and husband Jamie Schnurr of Perth and Katherine Dalgleish of Belleville, as well as three great-grandchildren, Scott Dalgleish and Bronwyn and Caley Schnurr.
Also surviving are her sisters Janet Wallace of Oshawa and Kay McIntyre and husband Raymond of Perth and her brother David Clements and wife Gail of Rexdale, as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, brothers Winston and Andrew Clements and sisters Muriel Simpson, Edith Richards, Margaret Brown and Carol Handy.
Friends called at the Lannin Funeral Home, Smiths Falls, where on May 27 the funeral was held, wirh Rev. Albert Hoppins officiating. Burial was at Hillcrest Cemetery, Smiths Falls.
The pallbearers were brother-in-law Raymond McIntyre and nephews Bruce, Harold and Gerry Simpson and William and Christopher Clements.
Memorial donations were directed to the Alzheimer Society and the St. Lawrence Lodge Auxiliary.
Andrew Kroot, 76
SPENCERVILLE -- Andrew P. Kroot, 76, died April 5, 2001 at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital.
He was born Andreas Petrus Kroot on May 22, 1924 in Cromvoirt, Netherlands, the eldest son of Hendrikus Kroot and Theodora Van De Boer. His mother died when he was nine and shortly thereafter the family moved to a farm in Udenhout, after which his father remarried.
After completing his schooling in Udenhout, he worked on his father's farm while attending agriculture school in the evenings to earn his agriculture diploma.
He loved farming and horses. To be able have a farm of his own, he immigrated to Canada in 1952. He first worked for his cousin, Hein De Beer, in the Athens area and then on various construction projects throughout southeastern Ontario, earning enough money to purchase cows and rent a farm. Then, in 1957 he purchased the farm outside of North Augusta, which was his home until his death. He became known simply as Andy to everyone who knew him.
On July 19, 1958 he married Gerda Tas in Throoptown and together they had four children. Over the years the Kroots opened their home and hearts to numerous foster children.
He enjoyed his farm and farming in general, always striving to be successful whether it was in milk, pigs, veal or more recently beef. In 1974, when chronic back problems made full-time farming difficult, he took on the role of rural mailman and for 18 years delivered mail for RR 4, North Augusta, and later RR 1 as well.
Although the farming operation was scaled down, he continued to raise a variety of animals - beef cows and calves, chickens and fowl of all sorts and often a few rabbits - just for the fun of it.
He believed a farmer is part of a bigger community and as a result was always available to help the neighbours with their farms. On many occasions he would finish his own chores, grab a quick supper and be off to help with someone else's chores.
He loved cowboy and western movies and books, particularly John Wayne movies and Zane Grey novels. After their children were old enough, he and his wife started camping and over the years managed to camp in just about every provincial park in Ontario.
In 1996 Mr. Kroot returned to the Netherlands for his first visit since coming to Canada. It was a chance to see family and friends, but he found that the country had changed a great deal and now seemed small and very busy. When the visit was over, he was happy to return to his farm, which was truly home.
When he found out that he had cancer in January 2001, he said that 76 years was a full life and that he had been blessed. He looked back over his life with pride, having accomplished his goals and and achieved a level of success beyond his dreams.
He is survived by his wife Gerda of North Augusta and four children: Dorothy Merrifield and husband Russell of Jellyby, Elizabeth Streight and husband Robert of Bishops Mills, Bill Kroot and wife Carolin of North Augusta and Shirley Kroot and partner Charlie King of Brockville.
Also surviving are his grandchildren, Samantha, Ryan and Adam Merrifield, Michael, Steven, Scott and Kelly Streight, Carla, Matthew and Jenni Kroot and Lindsey and Taylor King.
In addition, he is survived by by his sister Joanne Van Dongen and husband John of Strathroy, Ont., and brother Pieter Kroot and wife Toos of Udenhout, Netherlands, as well as a number of half-brothers and half-sisters in the Netherlands, with whom he kept in touch: Theo Kroot and wife Riet, Jos Kroot and wife Bea, Jan Kroot and wife Josien, Mien Schumacher and husband Huub, An Balemans and husband Jos, Riet de Jong and husband Piet, Hein Kroot and wife Thea, Noud Kroot and wife Corrie, Jo Kroot and wife Nelly, Kees Kroot and wife Lenie, Bertie Broeren and husband Jan, Sjan van de Berg and husband Kees, Harrie Kroot, and Josefien Korthout and husband Ad.
He is also survived by sister-in-law Ann Ruigrok and husband John of Roebuck, as well as many nieces and nephews both in Canada and the Netherlands.
Friends called at the Grant Brown Funeral Home, Purcell Chapel, Spencerville, on April 8. The Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, North Augusta, on April 9, with Father Rob Arsenault officiating. Burial followed in St. Theresa's Parish Cemetery in Throoptown.
The pallbearers were his grandsons Matthew Kroot and Ryan Merrifield, nephew Murray Van Dongen and neighbours Hank Jansen, Bruce McCaw and Elmer Simpson.
Memorial donations were made to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Hospice of Providence Palliative Care.
Molly Carey, 95
PRESCOTT -- Mary "Molly" Frances Carey, 95, a lifelong resident of Prescott, died November 20, 2003 at Brockville General Hospital.
She was born January 29, 1908, in Prescott, the daughter of John F. Carey and the former Elizabeth Black.
She worked as a stenographer at the Department of Transport (Dominion Light Depot) in Prescott for more than 35 years.
In her younger years she was an avid tennis player and won several awards.
Her main interest in later years was her church. She was a founding member of the Prescott Catholic Women's League and received her 75-year pin just a few days before she died. At the anniversary celebration of the CWL's 75 years, a candle was lit in her memory, followed by a moment of silence.
She is survived by her dear friend Mary Major and her family and was predeceased by a brother, James Carey.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Mark's Catholic Church, Prescott, on November 22, with Father John Appelman officiating. Members of the CWL formed a guard of honor at the church. Burial followed in the family plot at St. Mark's Cemetery.
The pallbearers were John Raney, Paul Raney, Hal Barry, J.J. Barry, Jason Procyk and Neil Dufour.
John Meppelder, 45
Johannes "John" Meppelder, 45, of RR 1, Brockville, died November 13, 2003 following a heart attack.
He was born May 27, 1958, in Brockville to Harm Meppelder and the former Christien Leugs. He grew up at RR 1, Brockville, and attended elementary schools in Algonquin and Maynard and went to South Grenville District High School.
He lived in the Maitland area all his life except one year when the family moved to Ripley, Ont.
In June 1980 he married Trudy Luttjeboer in Bethel Christian Reformed Church, Brockville.
Mr. Meppelder was a licensed carpenter. Over the years he worked for Semtchenko Aluminum, Competition Roofing and most recently Deluxe Glass and Trim.
He had a black belt in karate. He was a trainer for several South Grenville Ranger hockey teams over the past few years, coached baseball in Maitland, and served as convener for the Augusta Softball League. His other activities centred on home and family, and he always enjoyed watching his children participate in sports.
He is survived by his mother Christien Meppelder of Brockville and wife Trudy Meppelder, sons Luke and Daniel and daughter Jackie, all at home. Also surviving are his brother Don and wife Lisa of RR 2, Brockville, and three sisters, Linda Frans and husband Ron of Abbotsford, B.C., Christiena Scott and husband Nigel of St. Catharines, and Jane Fullarton and husband Bruce of Brockville, as well as 24 nieces and nephews. Also surviving are his parents-in-law Hemme and Diny Luttjeboer.
He was predeceased by his father, Harm Meppelder and stepfather Mike Hogeveen.
Friends called at the Irvine Funeral Home, Brockville, on November 16. The funeral was held November 17 at Bethel Christian Reformed Church, with Rev. Nick Cornelisse officiating. Burial followed at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Maitland.
The pallbearers were Don Meppelder, Ron Frans, Nigel Scott, Bruce Fullarton, Hemme Luttjeboer and Ben Luttjeboer.
Memorial donations were directed to Bethel Christian Reformed Church and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Margaret Clifford, 63
SMITHS FALLS -- Margaret Ellen Clifford, 63, died peacefully at her home November 19, 2003 after being ill with cancer and other health problems for a long time.
She was born June 2, 1940 at Coaticook, Que., the only daughter of Walter Ralph Smith and Jessie Rosella Green. She was baptized at St. Stephen's Anglican Church, Coaticook.
She spent her early adult life in the Stanstead County, Que., area working as a housemaid and also in institutional housekeeping.
On May 27, 1972, at St. George Anglican Church, Ayer's Cliff, Que., she married John Garfield Clifford, of Beebe, Que. They lived at 124 Main Street in Beebe.
Mrs. Clifford became a member of Crystal Rebekah Lodge, IOOF (Independent Order of Odd Fellows), at Rock Island, Que. in September 1973.
She and her husband, who worked for the Butterfield Co., moved to Smiths Falls in 1982 and became an associate member of the Chimes Rebekah Lodge in Smiths Falls and was noble grand at the time it surrendered its charter in 1986. She was also past president of Crescent No. 2, LAPM (Ladies Auxiliary Patriarchs Militant), IOOF, St. Johnsbury, Vermont, where she was an active member until her move to Ontario. She withdrew her membership in the IOOF in 1997.
She always enjoyed singing and was a member of several choirs, including Christ Church, Stanstead; The Church of the Good Shepherd, Cartierville, Que.; St. George Church, Ayer's Cliff, Que.; and St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Smiths Falls.
In 1994 she mastered stage fright and assisted country music entertainment groups as a soloist at many jamborees.
Mrs. Clifford is survived by her husband, John Clifford; brother Allen G. Smith and wife Betty, of Stanstead, Que.; nieces Cindy Smith and Debra and Dennis Bloun, all of Montreal, and Lisa and Marc Stratton of Brockville; and great-nieces Sara Elizabeth Stratton and Hanna Marie Stratton, of Brockville.
Friends called at the Lannin Funeral Home, Smiths Falls, on November 21. The funeral, including a communion service, was held November 22 at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Smiths Falls, with Rev. James Roberts officiating and Rev. Edward Attwell and Rev. Canon Francis Gooch assisting. Sharon Stillwell gave the eulogy. The pallbearers were Ronald Coleman, Murray Hall, Morris Bullock and William Stillwell.
Burial was November 24 at Woodside Cemetery, Stanstead, Que., with Rev. Curtis Patterson, of Coaticook, Que., officiating.
