​Margaret Eleanor Holmes (Eleanor), passed away peacefully on Wednesday January 25th, 2018 surrounded by family at Spruce Lodge, Stratford after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Eleanor was born on April 17th, 1932 and is predeceased by her parents Mary Ballantyne and George Aitcheson.  Eleanor grew up on a farm in Downie Township and she shared with us some of her joyful childhood memories.

She was the youngest of nine children, all of whom predeceased her. Her siblings were Allan Palmer Aitcheson (Ella), Evelyn Louise Monteith (Glenn), David Andrew Aitcheson (Kay), Charlotte Janette Meadows (Almer), Robert Henry Aitcheson (Gloria and Marion) twin, Bonnie Elizabeth Innes (Calvin) twin and Mary J Aitcheson.

Eleanor was a devoted and loving wife to Robert Bruce Holmes (Bob) and caring mother to Keith Edward Holmes, (deceased 1975), Bonnie Jean Holmes (Digby), Marilyn Ann Holmes (Stuart), and Donald Bruce Holmes (Marc).  She was a proud Grandma of Gabrielle Louise Arkett, and Claire Rosalind Arkett. Eleanor is survived by her spouse and three youngest children and grandchildren and sister-in-law Kay Aitcheson. 

She loved life and her large extended family including many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.  Eleanor had several friends with whom she had special relationships.  Just as she became aware that she was going to lose her battle with Alzheimer’s disease, she advised her children ‘to make sure you go out and have a lot of fun, as it is over pretty soon.’

Eleanor was a private individual and her wishes were to be fare welled at a small family gathering.   Memorial Donations can be made to the Avonton Presbyterian Church, Avonton, Alzheimer’s Society of Perth County, or your favourite charity.

With a heavy heart we announce the passing away of our mother on Monday January 22, 2018. Born in Windsor/Essex county June 21, 1934.

Survived by her sister Eula Chessman, brother William Selby and brother Ralph Selby. Beloved mother of Michael Kennedy, Martin Kennedy (Cheryl) and Melissa Baxter (Allen). Cherished by her grandchildren Kaitlyn Kennedy, Joel Kennedy, Jaymee Kennedy, Alexander Kennedy, Jade Baxter and Quinn Baxter. Blessed with great-grandchildren Carter and Jase as well as all her cousins, nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of life on February 9 at 7 p.m. at Moose Lodge, 655 Wabanaki Dr., Kitchener, Ontario. Donations to Alzheimer Society of Canada. 

Passed away peacefully at St Mary’s General Hospital on Sunday January 21, 2018 at the age of 92.

She is survived by her daughter’s in law Helene & Eleanor, grandson Richard, granddaughter Christine (Joseph), great grandchildren Savannah (Paco), Drayton, Aidan, Keira and Autumn. Audrey is also survived by her loving sister Gertrude Crystal.

Audrey is predeceased by her husband Lloyd, her longtime companion John Derry, her son’s Graham and David, her infant daughter Gertrude, grandson Bobby and granddaughter Melissa

Predeceased by her parents Charles & Gertrude Bignell, brothers Charles, Graham, Russell and Lorne, sister Betty and husband Bob Pritchard, special niece Billie and husband Bob Bateman and brother in law William Crystal.

As per Audrey’s wishes, there will be no visitation and a private family burial will take place at Woodland cemetery. 

Johannes (John) Vander Vaart   of Cambridge, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 20th, 2018 in his 87th year.

Loving and devoted husband of Pauline (Lemoine), beloved father of Elizabeth (Robert) Hughes of Kitchener, Michael Vander Vaart (Angela Fischer) of Hamilton and Mary-Jane Pojerevacichi (Glen Forsythe), grandchildren: Vanea, Alyssa, Jennifer and Craig. He will be greatly missed by George, Janet, David, Susan, Fred, Tina, Dan, Maxine, Tom, Denise and lifelong childhood friend, Dick Linnenkamp. Predeceased by Herb and Gar.

A special thank you to all the people that provided loving care and support over the years. John’s sense of humour and love of life will be missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation.  Cremation has taken place. 

Saturday January 20, 2018.
 
As Hilde prepared for many vacations to visit family and friends, she would fret and fuss with packing to make sure she had every contingency covered.
 
For this final trip to eternal life, she knew she was perfectly prepared. She had the forgiveness; the compassion and the love of and for Jesus Christ, she left peacefully.
 
Hilde is survived by soul-mate and husband Larry Neuman; loving son Stephen Slezak and his wife Crissy Cantu and the greatest Joy of Hilde’s life, grandson Ford Slezak.
 
Remaining to grieve are Hilde’s mother Helene Kuczmarski; sisters Irene Bedard and Lydia McGarrity.
 
She will be missed by the large extended families of both Hilde’s mother (Helene Kuczmarski) and Larry’s mother the late Nelda Neuman.
 
Hilde had many friends in the local knitting community who visited and offered support during her battle with cancer. A special thank you to Father Phil Reilly of St. Louis Parish for his visit and blessing.
 
Hilde treasured the friendship and time spent with Sally Gray (Regina) and I am very grateful for her continuing support and assistance.
 
Due to the North America wide location of family and friends, several small Celebrations of life will be held later with her remains spread amongst the Bluebonnets in Austin, Texas. 

 1938 to 2018

Passed away peacefully with family by his side at Sunnyside Home in Kitchener, Ontario on Monday January 15, 2018 at the age of 79.

Predeceased by his parents Ambrose and Helen Fagan (nee Walsh), his brother Frank Fagan (Gail), sister Stacy Pellizari (Gus) and brothers’ -in-law Bruce Lampkin and Hugh Noble.  Survived by his sister Veronica Lampkin (Bruce) and brother Ken Fagan (Lana). Dick will be fondly remembered by his ex-wife Janet Percy (nee Murphy), Cleary Percy, sister-in-law Rita Noble (Hugh), brother-in-law Peter Murphy (Sharon), girlfriend Patricia Dauphinee. Sadly missed by his children Carole (Ray), Paul (Michelle), Kathleen (Patrick) and his grandchildren Kevin, Morgan, Ryan, Norah and his many cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers at Sunnyside Home for all their care and compassion given to Dick over the years.

Dick’s family will receive relatives and friends to a Celebration of Life,  Friday February 2nd Noon to 3pm, at Williamsburg Cemetery Dedication Centre, 1541 Fischer Hallman Rd., Kitchener 519-714-2880.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to Sunnyside Foundation would be appreciated.

Cremation has taken place. A private burial for immediate family will be held in the spring in Hagersville ON.

It is with great sadness that we announce that David, born on June 12, 1944, in Montreal, Quebec, the eldest of seven siblings, passed away in the comfort of his home in Foxboro Green, Baden, Ontario, on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at the age of 73.

Beloved husband and best friend of Linda (Bishop) for over 45 years. Loving father of John and his partner Mary Grace Pineda of Kitchener, ON; Reagan Honke and her husband Greg of Sarnia, ON; Patrick Skelton of Baden, ON and Erin Skelton of Montreal, QC. Adoring Grandpa of Shaylyn and Kyelum Skelton.

Predeceased by his parents Murray and Jean (Mullally) Skelton; his brother-in-law Roger Daum and the partner of his brother Matt, Paul Dupont.

Survived by brothers Matthew Skelton of Montreal, QC and Gregory Skelton of Toronto, ON;
sisters Brenda Carson (Jack) of Grand Rapids, MI; Jane Skelton of Montreal, QC; Andrea Podkowka (Steven) of Edmonton, AB and Leslie Skelton (Daum) of Calgary, AB. Nephews Mike Carson and Dylan Podkowka. Nieces Allie Carson (Chris Glushko) and Mary Sharkey.

Dave was an excellent student, fluent in both English and French and very proud of the fact that he aced his CPA exam on his first try. He started his career with a well-known accounting firm in Montreal. In his mid-twenties he was hired by an offshore investment company in Nassau, Bahamas and quickly rose through the ranks of the company. Four years into the ten years that he spent in Nassau, he met his love, Linda. Three years later, they married and had their first two children, then they left The Bahamas. They had a short stay in Missouri, his wife's home state, where child #3 was born. Then they moved to David's home province of Quebec where he became part owner of a small plastic company. The company grew and so did his family. Child #4 was born. For the next 22 years they lived in a lovely home on the side of Mont St. Hilaire and raised their family. Dave retired at the age of 55 after selling his company when they decided to start a new chapter in their lives together and moved to Baden, ON where he enjoyed his retirement.

To honor Dave's wishes there will be no formal funeral. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will be held in the spring with a family reunion.

“God has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts. Forever and Always.”

1935 - 2018

On January 11, 2018, I lost the love of my life: Mike Orman, aged 82 years, loving husband of over 62 years to Betty; father of Hayley (Leo) and Delese (Dan); Poppa to Cayley, Megan, and Liam; uncle to Kim (Martin). Predeceased by parents Arch and Kathleen Orman and brother John (Brenda, Adrian & Andrew). 
 
Born in Southampton, England, Mike worked as a Marine Engineer on the Queen Mary before embarking to Canada where he was certified as a Millwright, taking part in projects such as putting the top on the CN tower, and eventually becoming Project Manager of various multi-million dollar projects. 
 
He was creative and meticulous in everything he did: professionally; in the community, where he took annual ice shows to the next level with sets, lighting, and elaborate props; and at home with his family, where he gardened, built a pool where he loved to take a dive after work, while remaining on-call as an all-around problem-solving handyman. 
 
He had a special relationship with the family’s dogs, and also the duck that adopted him. Mike enjoyed an active life sailing on the family boat the Luvaduck, camping, and travelling abroad with Betty. The two are also known to tear up a dance floor. 
 
As requested, cremation has taken place. We will miss his sense of humour, endless positivity, bottomless patience, and the twinkle in his eye which is now a twinkle in the sky - a star named “Milo Loves Bisto” dedicated to celebrate Mike & Betty's golden wedding anniversary in 2005. 
 
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 4, 2018 from 2 - 4 p.m. at Kressview Springs, 237 King Street West, Cambridge.

March 30, 1969 - January 10, 2018
 
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Wanda Boone-Hennifent on January 10, 2018 at the Forest Heights Long Term Care facility in Kitchener Ontario.  With family by her side, she peacefully lost her long battle with Multiple Sclerosis.
 
Loving and dedicated mother to Brittany, daughter of Betty and the late Ron Boone (2001), sister to Eddy, Ron (Jennifer), and Rod (Avice), and partner to the late Stacy Ouellette (2017). Wanda also leaves behind, her 5 nieces and 1 nephew.
 
Many thanks to the caring staff at Forest Heights Long Term Care, St. Mary's Hospital, and the MS Society of Canada.
 
At Wanda's request, cremation has taken place, and a memorial service and burial will take place at a later date in Cottrell's Cove Newfoundland.

Memorial donations can be made in her name to the MS Society of Canada.
 
Wanda (Sis) will be greatly missed by all those who know and love her.

1946-2018
 
Chester passed away after a long battle with cancer at his home, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday January 2nd, 2018.
 
Beloved husband to his wife Elizabeth of 42 years. Loving Father to Lori (Wes) and Andrew, and Grandfather to precious granddaughter Molly, and step-granddaughters Kylie and Shaide.
 
He will be missed by his sister Annie (Fred), his nephews Mark and Sean and their families.
 
To honour Chester’s wishes there will be no formal funeral. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will be held on Saturday January 13th, from 2-4 p.m., at Kennedy’s in St. Agatha, ON. All are welcome to attend.
 
The Family would like to thank everyone for the phone calls, cards, and best wishes. Special thanks to the ‘regulars’ at the Petersburg corner store.
 
Thank you to the nurses from CCAC/Waterloo Wellington LHIN, Margo M, Laura L, Sandy K, Shelly L, and Dr. Yew. Thank you to Lisa B at the Ira Needles Shoppers Drug Mart. Also, thank you to the Grand River Hospital, Dr. Pace, Dr. Maurice, Dr. Leonard, Dr. Valdes and their staff.
 
In lieu of flowers, and as an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Hospice of Waterloo Region by calling 519-743-4114.