Myrtle Wylie, 97, died January 25, 2005 at Brockville General Hospital. She had lived at Bridlewood Manor for the past five years.
Born Myrtle Lorne Glenn in Chatham, Ont., on July 15, 1907, she was the daughter of Matilda Brooks and Alexander Glenn. Her mother was an accomplished seamstress. Myrtle attended McKeough School and Chatham Collegiate Institute, where she took the commercial course.
She became the stenographer to W.R. Peck, manager of Hayes Wheel and Forgings (no longer operating). While in Chatham she was a member of the Victoria Avenue Methodist Church.
On June 10, 1933 she and Seymour Anson Wylie were married at her parents' home in Chatham. Despite the ongoing Great Depression, they took a motoring honeymoon to northern Ontario, the east coast of Canada, the Wylie farm near Maynard to visit her husband's family here and in northern New York State.
They moved to Brockville in 1942 and established their business, Wylie's Antique Shop, at 236 King Street West, which they operated for 12 years. They sold antiques and used furniture. Mr. Wylie did the buying and Mrs. Wylie cleaned the items and sold them.
They lived at the shop at first and then in the early 1950s moved to 51 Hartley Street on the St. Lawrence River, where they lived until 1964. Mr. Wylie was now a real estate broker. They travelled the river in their cruisers and knew all the cargo lakers by sight. During these years, they enjoyed vacations throughout the southern and southwestern United States, as well as in Canada.
They moved to 36 Ann Street in 1964. After the death of her husband in 1965, Mrs. Wylie continued to live on Ann Street until her move in 1982 to the Buell-Fitzsimmons Residence, 80 Water Street West. In February 2000 she moved to Bridlewood Manor.
She was a member of Wall Street United Church and was an active member of the Florence Nightingale chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star for more than 50 years, Maple Leaf Rebekah Lodge No. 33 for more than 45 years and the White Shrine of Jerusalem (Kingston) for eight years.
She was an avid gardener at her homes on Hartley and Ann streets and had remarkable success with African violets. Like her mother, she was an accomplished seamstress and provided items for many money-raising bazaars throughout the years. She was very proud of the sewing skills learned from her mother and preferred using a treadle-driven sewing machine to an electric one.
She enjoyed preparing special handmade confectionery delights for Halloween. The children of the neighbourhood knew that the Wylie house deserved a special visit then.
Animals were a passion for her, beginning with pet chickens in her childhood. In Brockville she was always surrounded by her favourite dogs and cats. She also enjoyed playing euchre and pool.
Mrs. Wylie is survived by her nieces Joyce Clarke and husband Edward of Brockville, Betty Lou Russell and husband Clifford of Chatham and Joan Marilyn Jamieson of California, and many other nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews in Canada and the United States. Also surviving are her dear friends Lil Hudgin, Monda Rosenberg of Toronto and Bonnie Gray and husband Ted Ross of Manotick, and many friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, husband Seymour (September 27, 1965), sister Hilda May Lanning (1969) and godson Roger Hudgin (2001) and dear friends Bill Hudgin and Gwen Rosenberg.
Friends called at the Barclay Funeral Home, Brockville, on January 28 and the Rebekah Lodge held a memorial service. The funeral was held in the Barclay Chapel on January 29, with Rev. Bruce Ross officiating. Burial will be at Maynard Cemetery, next to her husband, in the spring.
Memorial donations were directed to the Hospice of Providence Palliative Care and the Ontario Humane Society.
Lawrence F. Smith, 80
Lawrence Frederick Smith, 80, veteran of two wars, died January 14, 2005 at Brockville General Hospital.
He was born May 10, 1924 in Dauphin, Manitoba to Edward Charles Smith and the former Adaline Lozo. When he was just 11 months old, he moved to Brockville with his parents and was raised and educated here.
He joined the Canadian army and served for seven years. He saw service in France, England and Holland during the Second World War and was with the artillery division in Korea during the Korean War.
He married Victoria Foster in Baldock, Hertfordshire, England. His wife predeceased him in 1965.
Mr. Smith was a carpenter by trade, identified with the Anglican church, was a former member of the Maple Dale Fielding Circle Club and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is survived by two daughters, Doreen Hunt and her fiance Wayne Thornhill of Brockville and Marie Beckstead and her friend Bruce Freer of Morrisburg.
Also surviving are six grandchildren, John Hunt and friend Cheryl of Smiths Falls, Sherry Benoit and husband Rick of Brockville, James Beckstead and wife Dian of Ingleside, David Beckstead and friend Christie of Newington and Jeffrey Beckstead and wife Dawn of Osnabruck Centre; 12 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his wife and parents, he was predeceased by four great-grandchildren; brothers Melvin, Stanley and Charles; and three sisters, Minnie Brennan, Florence Warren and Mary Davis.
Friends called at the Barclay Funeral Home, Brockville, where on January 18 the funeral was held with Rev. Gordon Mintz, of St. Paul's Anglican Church officiating. Burial will take place at St. Lawrence Valley Cemetery, Ingleside, at a later date.
The honorary pallbearers were John Hunt, Sherry and Rick Benoit, David Beckstead and friend Christie, Jeffrey and Dawn Beckstead and James and Dian Beckstead.
Memorial donations were directed to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Nel Mahern, 68
Nelia "Nel" Mahern, 68, a retired registered nurse, died of cancer January 20, 2005 at Hospice of Providence Continuing Care Centre, St. Vincent de Paul Hospital, after an illness lasting six years.
She was born June 6, 1936, in Timmins, to Antonio Cicci and the former Victoria Giurlando. She grew up in Timmins and attended elementary and high school there. In 1956 she graduated as a registered nurse from St. Mary's School of Nursing in Timmins.
On August 30, 1957, she married Patrick Mahern in Timmins.
She came to the Brockville area in 1956, then lived in New Liskeard for two years, and returned to Brockville in 1970, living here the rest of her life.
Mrs. Mahern worked as a registered nurse at Brockville General Hospital for 25 years, as a nursing supervisor and discharge planning co-ordinator. She retired in 1996.
She was elected to Brockville city council and served two terms and was also elected a trustee for the Lanark, Leeds and Grenville County Roman Catholic Separate School Board.
She gave freely and generously to her community, volunteering for many causes over the years. She also belonged to the Probus Club.
She was a member of St. John Bosco parish and put God and church at the centre of her life. She loved her family and had many good friends. She was also an animal lover extraordinaire and many a lucky stray cat found her welcoming doorstep.
Mrs. Mahern is survived by her daughter Janet McLeen and husband Don of North Bay, grandchildren Jessica and Hannah, brother Gino Cicci and wife Pauline of West Vancouver, sister Mary Lake and husband Gary of Toronto, niece Catherine, nephews Matthew and Jeffrey, and sister-in-law Shirley O'Shea and husband Stan.
She was predeceased by her husband in 1996, her father Antonio Cicci in 1994, her mother Victoria Cicci in 1995 and a nephew John Cicci in 1996.
Her funeral was held January 22 at St. John Bosco parish, Brockville, with Father Tim Harrison officiating. Burial followed at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery.
The pallbearers were Mark Noonan and Michael Noonan, Brian and Jim O'Grady, and Matthew and Tom Reil.
Memorial donations were directed to the Kingston Regional Cancer Centre and Hospice of Providence Palliative Care.
Donald Easton, 66
Donald Oliver "DeeDee" Easton, 66, died suddenly February 6, 2005 at the emergency department, Brockville General Hospital.
He was born at the same hospital on January 24, 1939, to William Easton and the former Wilma Bower.
After graduating from Brockville Collegiate Institute, he began working at Automatic Electric. As part of his work assignment he went to Saudi Arabia in 1977 as a consultant for Arabian American Oil Company. He travelled in Europe while there.
He returned to Brockville and continued working at Automatic (later Microtel) until cutbacks in the accounting department occurred and he was laid off. He then worked at Cadillac Bowling Lanes until it closed and was demolished.
In his early years he attended St. Paul's Anglican Sunday school. He played baseball and hockey, canoed, camped in the Thousand Islands with friends, scuba dived, bowled, golfed, biked and enjoyed his pink "Indian" 1950s motorcycle.
He helped children learn to bowl for several years, both five-pin and 10-pin. At the time of his death, he was a member of the senior 10-pin bowling league.
A bachelor, he enjoyed people and was interested in conservation and saving wildlife.
Mr. Easton is survived by his brothers William Ross Easton and wife Trudy, James Lake and wife Barbara and Thomas Lake and wife Janet, all of Brockville. Also surviving is his sister-in-law Gail Easton, aunt Aileen (Easton) Saundercook, uncle Fred Easton and wife Ellanora, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his father, William Easton, mother Wilma Bower Easton Lake, stepfather Jimmie Lake, sister Anne Easton Neville and brother Edward Easton.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Barclay Funeral Home, Brockville. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association were gratefully acknowledged by the family.
Milla Hutt, 84
Milla Margaret Hutt, 84, died February 4, 2005 surrounded by her family at Brockville General Hospital. She was a former resident of 107 Charles Street for many years, then lived at the Boulder Apartments and since last fall at the Rosedale Retirement Home.
She was born on a farm near Spencerville on January 29, 1921 to Edward Hunter and his wife, the former Hester McGuire.
She attended a one-room rural school near her home and the Spencerville High School.
She moved to Brockville, where she met William "Bill" Hutt and on September 23, 1943, married him in the Wall Street United Church manse.
They celebrated their 55th anniversary in 1998.
Mrs. Hutt worked at a variety of jobs, including the Phillips plant and for many years at Lipsons, a downtown clothing store.
A tireless worker, she also assisted her husband in the cartage business and the building of both their home on Charles Street and the cottage at Fernbank.
The Hutts liked to spend their summers at the cottage just west of town on the St. Lawrence River.
They enjoyed taking family and friends out among the islands in their boat "Little Susie."
Mrs. Hutt is survived by a sister Marion Peterson and husband "Junior" of Prescott and close nieces and nephews Ted Hunter and wife Eileen, Ruth Freeman and husband Joe, Marlene Vanderscheer and husband Jake, Ralph Davison and wife Jean, Doug Davison and wife Janet, Joan Gibson and David Peterson, and other nieces and nephews Sheila Lorentz, Linda Cormier, Carol Ann Davidson, Robert Eyre, Roger Eyre, Richard Eyre and Elizabeth Sahl.
Several great nieces and nephews also survive.
She was predeceased by her husband William, a sister Evelyn Davison-Plunkett and two brothers, Dean and Charles Hunter.
Friends called at the Irvine Funeral Home, Brockville, where on February 8 the funeral was held, with Rev. Helen Wilson officiating.
A eulogy was given by her nephew Ralph Davison. Burial followed at Oakland Cemetery.
The pallbearers were Jake Vanderscheer, Ted Hunter, Joe Freeman, Alex Freeman, Doug Davison and Ralph Davison.
Memorial donations were directed to the Hospice of Providence Palliative Care and the Canadian Cancer Society.
