It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sandy. She passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones early Wednesday September 30th 2020, at the age of 66.

Sandy was born in Galt, June 5th 1954.

After 6 long years of battling cancer 3 times, she has been the bravest of warriors and remained strong willed and witty until the very end.

She will be remembered for her contagious laugh that made everyone laugh right along with her, her smile that brightened the entire room, her love of Elvis Presley,  and the funny stories she would tell that would have everyone laughing with tears at the same time.

She is predeceased by her Father Hugh Dunbar (1977), Mother Mavis Dunbar (June 6th 2020), and her Daughter Rebecca (August 16th 1992). She will be greatly missed and remembered dearly by her husband Bob Nairn, she leaves behind her two beloved children Molly Nairn (Adam Steinke), Lisa Nairn (Jason Lampert), she will be greatly missed by her grandchildren Logan Steinke and Brielle Steinke, her brother Greg Dunbar (Diane Dunbar), her two Sister In Law's Irene (Jerry) and Janet (Bill), her nieces Susan (Mike), April, Tanya, Melissa and her Nephew James (Marta), Great Nieces Meghan, Starr, Emily, Alyssia and Great Nephews Dyson and Jace. Cherished by many cousins, dear friends and extended family.

Sandy grew up in Galt, Ont. and at the start of her career she was employed with Allen Bradley then later moved to a management position within the family run company called Little Lake Industrial Supply.

She enjoyed watching the Blue Jays as well as The Toronto Maple Leafs. One of her favorite past times was boating with the family, enjoying weekends playing cards and chats with her beloved friends, and sitting on the deck looking over the Little Lake in Puslinch, Ont, where she made a loving happy home for her family.

The family would like to send our sincere gratitude for the dedication and passionate care provided by Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Halligan, her Oncology nurse Sandy at CMH and her Palliative nurse Louise at Bayshore Home Care.

Due to Covid-19 there will be a private Celebration of Life in the summer of 2021.

Honoring Sandy's wishes, cremation will be taking place.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Canadian Cancer Society, or a Charity of your choice. Messages and condolences may be left at www.tricitycremations.com or by calling 519-267-7199.

 1938 - 2020

"Loved Beyond Measure"
 
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Margaret Ann Maher in her 82nd year on September 25, 2020. It is with joy however, we know that she has been reunited with her beloved husband Robert Maher who passed away in 1989. We know he has been patiently waiting for her to join him.
 
Margaret leaves behind her three beloved daughters; Laura Maher (Bill), Christine Maher, and Robyn Routly (Peter) as well as her five cherished granddaughters; Delaney Rombough, Kelly Rombough, Maggie Sanders-Maher, Rachel Routly, and Tessa Routly to whom Margaret was a "Gram" second to none. She also leaves behind her much-loved nieces and nephews who were all very dear to her.
 
Margaret was born in 1938 in Guelph ON, and is predeceased by her loving parents Ted and Veronica Coady. The eldest of five children, Margaret will be missed greatly by her brother Edward P. Coady, (Norma) and her sisters Mary Brohman, Kathleen Bruce, and Eileen Brown (Neil). Margaret experienced great joy from the relationship she had with her siblings her entire life. Margaret will also be remembered fondly by her cousins.
 
 A caring soul, Margaret pursued a career in Nursing, and her compassionate spirit flourished as she graduated from St. Joseph's school of Nursing in 1959. She also achieved her degree in Public Health Nursing from the University of Western Ontario, and went on to have a very
fulfilling career as an RN in Kitchener, Guelph, Vancouver, and Thunder Bay.  Her caring spirit will live on in the many people she helped over the years, especially her Public Health service among the Indigenous families in Northern Ontario.
 
In 1964 she married Robert Edward Maher in Kitchener, where they lived happily and raised their three girls.
 
Following her nursing career, Margaret also enjoyed working at the Kitchener Public Library for 18 years. She delighted in spreading the gift of reading to others and being surrounded by learning. Margaret loved music and literature and attended the K-W Symphony for many years as an enthusiastic ticket holder. She had the ability to turn friends into family and will be missed greatly by her best friend and nursing colleague Marg McLellan, and all her St. Joseph Alumni sisters. She remained in close contact with childhood friends, past neighbours, library colleagues, and many others who were very dear to her. Margaret was the epitome of a true friend.
 
Margaret fought her lengthy battle with cancer with grace and dignity just as she had lived her entire life. She handled everything she faced in life with gracious acceptance and chose to be happy no matter what. One of her greatest wishes was to be remembered with happiness and to rejoice for her on her next journey. Her bravery was inspiring and her love is never ending. May we all embrace her compassion and care for others so that she may always live on.
 
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted to Anselma House. The donation page can be found at www.wcswr.org/support-us/donate/. Donations can also be mailed to Anselma House at 700 Heritage Drive, Kitchener ON N2A 3L9. Please indicate you would like the donations to be made in memory of Margaret.
 
Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237 . Please visit Margaret's obituary notice on Facebook.

  Dec 3, 1929 - Sept 25, 2020
 
With great sadness and great warmth, we announce the death of Margaret Rose after a brief illness. 

Wife and lifelong partner of Roy for 68 years. Beloved mother of the late Robert (Sally). Granny to Margarette and Robert (Christy) and great granny to Justin, Addison and Matthew.
Very special aunt to Kathy , Shealyn, and Rynn Harrington, Chris and Pat Rose, and sister in law to Lionel and Colleen Rose.

Born in Glasgow, Margaret never lost her accent, Scottish expressions (‘chung”), or love of her homeland, even after 62 years in Canada. She treasured her family in Scotland greatly and spoke of them often, missing them with her whole heart.

Her positivity in the face of everything was deeply inspirational and something a lot of us will hold onto. Even with diminishing sight, she always had a mischievous twinkle in her eye that reflected her generosity of spirit. Margaret’s sharp wit buoyed her and us. She delighted everyone with her take on daily events -personal and global-and never was she above making herself the object of her own jokes. She was a very creative and talented crafter whose expertise at sewing, knitting, embroidering was unequalled.

She will be sorely missed by many in the community and in Highland Place where she and Roy resided.

As per her wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no service, due to the pandemic a private celebration of life will be held when we are able. In loving memory of a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and good friend.

Messages and condolences may be left for family at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237. Please visit Margaret's obituary notice on Facebook.

 Oct. 29, 1958 - Sept. 22, 2020

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Dennis Yantha of Kitchener on Sept. 22, 2020, after a brief illness, at the age of 61.

Survived by his father Sylvester Yantha and brothers Mark and Brian (Barb). Predeceased by his mother Evelyn (nee Etmanskie). No visitation; cremation has taken place. As expressions of sympathy, donations to House of Friendship or Addiction Research Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Private interment at St. Hedwig's Cemetery, Barry's Bay, at a later date.

Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237

Décédé  à l’âge de 78 ans, samedi le 19 Septembre 2020, après une bataille contre le cancer à sa résidence de Waterloo.
 
Né à Kénogami.  Fils de Edmond Leblanc et Lucienne Girard.  Musicien de carrière, en tant que corniste pour le Royal 22e Régiment (Québec), le NORAD Band (Colorado, USA), l’Artillerie de St-Hubert (Montréal) ainsi que pour l’Orchestre Symphonique de l’Estuaire (Rimouski) et l’Orchestre Symphonique de Cambridge (Cambridge, Ontario).  Il enseigna également le cor français en cours privé.  Parmi ses passe-temps favoris, il créa plusieurs tableaux animaliers. 
 
Époux bien-aimé de Danielle Liette Leblanc (née Bélanger). Père bien-aimé de Nathalie Leblanc de Waterloo et Francis Leblanc (Josée) de Québec. Grand-père chéri de Samuel Leblanc-Bolduc, Gabrielle Leblanc et Melissa Leblanc-Bolduc. Il laisse dans le deuil une sœur Madeleine Leblanc et un frère Carol Leblanc (Lucie).

La crémation a eu lieu.  Une réunion familiale privée s’est déjà déroulée, en raison de la situation pandémique actuelle. Des dons peuvent être faits au Centre régional de cancérologie de Grand River comme expression de sympathie.
​
Les messages et les condoléances peuvent être laissés à www.tricitycremations.com ou au 519.772.1237.

Passed away after a battle with Cancer at his Waterloo residence on Saturday September 19, 2020 at the age of 78 years. 
 
Born at Kénogami.  Son of Edmond Leblanc and Lucienne Girard.  Professional musician, as French Horn player for the Royal 22nd Regiment (Québec), the NORAD Band (Colorado, USA), the Artillerie of St-Hubert (Montréal), as well as for the Estuaire Symphonic Orchestra (Rimouski) and the Cambridge Symphonic Orchestra (Cambridge, Ontario).  He also taught French Horn in private lessons.  Among his favorite hobbies, he created many animal paintings. 
 
Beloving husband of Danielle Liette Leblanc (nee Belanger).   Loving father of Francis Leblanc (Josee) of Quebec and Nathalie Leblanc of Waterloo.  Cherished Grandfather of Samuel Leblanc-Bolduc, Gabrielle Leblanc & Melissa Leblanc-Bolduc. He is survived by a sister Madeleine Leblanc and by a brother Carol Leblanc (Lucie). 

Cremation has taken place. A private family gather will be held due to the current pandemic situation. Donations may be made to the Grand River Regional Cancer Center as expressions of sympathy.

Messages and condolences may be left at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237. 

​Norman Hestad Rude, age 86, passed away peacefully on September 17th, 2020 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Kitchener surrounded by his loving family. 

He was born on September 17th, 1934 in Estevan, Saskatchewan.  His parents were Nickolai and Emma Rude.  He moved to Ontario and married his loving wife, Pat (Darlene) Rude in 1960.  She passed away in 2008.  Survived and lovingly remembered by daughter Deby Williams (Bob), daughter Susan Rude, grandchildren Chris Williams, Cheri Oldham (Ryan), Nickolai Ruttan-Rude (Janelle), David Ruttan-Rude (Elsie), great grandchildren Ben Oldham, Evalee Oldham and Ray Ruttan-Rude.

Norman was a manager at Lloyd Doors in Wingham as well as a school bus driver in Mount Forest. He was always very involved in his community in both Wingham and Mount Forest. He was a member of the Optimist Club, Anglican Church, Curling Club, Lawn Bowling Club, as well as a Treasurer with the Mount Forest Archives.  He was an avid gardener and he loved his family very deeply. He formed deep bonds with everyone around him. 

Cremation has occurred, and due to the current pandemic situation a private family interment and celebration of life will be held.  The family encourages all who knew him to remember him in their own way from the safety of their homes. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com.

   1928- 2020

In peace and surrounded by love, Shirley Daisy O’Donnell  passed after a brief illness on September 16, 2020 at her home in Kitchener, Ontario with her daughter Shelagh, son Kevin and foster daughter Sheryl by her side. Shirley was a force of nature who embraced life fully throughout her 92 years, making a lasting impact on countless others.

In Frank Capra’s film It’s A Wonderful Life, the hero is guided by an angel to witness how other’s lives would have unfolded had he not existed. The scene could play out in much the same way with Shirley as the heroine. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba in the Great Depression, Shirley learned from her father Charles Pickrell and foster parents Ray and Daisy Rusk that no matter the circumstance, there was always enough to help someone in need. As a young girl, she regularly travelled across Canada - a perk of Ray’s CPR career.  She lived her life by the simple motto – “if you have helped change even one person’s life for the better, yours will have been a success.” There was always a place at the table, an open door and a bed for anyone who needed it. Even as a single mother, her home was always a safe harbour for many at a cross-roads in their life. She was loving grandmother to Ella, Kiara, and Vinton.

At 21 years of age, she married high school sweetheart Alan Cook, a tail gunner in WWII. With a love of music and a natural affinity for dance, she worked as a ballroom dance instructor, model, and advertising agency assistant.  Her striking fashion sense and “one-pin Gibson Girl” hairstyle were iconically “Shirley”.  As a sought-after executive assistant, skilled in the art of short hand and speed typing, Toronto beckoned in the 1950s. Her successful career included working with the Ontario Road Builders Association, Peat Marwick & Associates (KPMG), Warner Brothers Pictures, and Sayvette corporate. Her sharp legal mind made her a natural to run the criminal law office and mayoral campaign of her second husband, Francis Leo O’Donnell, while working as a court reporter and transcriptionist.

Last month, Shirley was able to visit her beloved Christian Island, where she played an integral role for five decades. Her pioneer spirit was given free reign every summer as she thrived without running water or electricity at her historic square-hewn log cabin. Through her work as Cottagers Association President, she forged lasting bonds between the cottage community and Beausoleil First Nation, was Founder and Editor of The Islander, led numerous environmental initiatives including the Dunes Preservation Project as well as many joint social events – always with the goal of creating one shared island community. 

A natural leader with a resilient and entrepreneurial spirit, Shirley lived life with buoyant confidence and optimism, often saying “you may not know where it will lead, but there’s always another door ready to open.” She nimbly moved through numerous enterprises including founding show dog and breeding kennel Snow Leopard Dalmatians, creating and leading the Arthritis Society’s Move to the Music aqua fit program at Bayview and Centenary hospitals, and working as a certified international Colours Consultant. Dogs were always her weak spot. From countless rescues to show dogs, she was never without one in her life.

Her inherent elegance, grace, intelligence, humour and infectious smile were as present as ever as the page turned on her last chapter.

A celebration of life will be planned for a later date.

​Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our mother Nancy Duxbury (nee McGillivray). She passed peacefully in her home in Kitchener on September 18, 2020 at the age of 64. She leaves behind her beloved children Jeff, Tawnya & Chad Duxbury; her sisters Vivian Tambeau and Evelyn Parks (Gary - deceased); seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  Predeceased by her parents Reta (nee Dunlop) and Harvey McGillivray, and her sister Bonnie McGillivray.
 
“The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, NIV)
 
Mom, we remember you with so much love. Be at peace in heaven above.
 
Cremation has taken place. Donations may be made to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) by phone or online: 1-844-CMHA WW3 (264-2993) ext. 2112; cmhaww.ca/get-involved/donate/
 
We are so grateful for all of your loving support. We will be holding an outdoor memorial on October 18, 2020 at Tecumseh Park, Tecumseh Crescent, Kitchener.  Given the COVID restrictions in place, those who wish to join us between 1 and 3 pm either in spirit in remembering Nancy, or in person – If in person, please rsvp by Oct 15, to tawnya.duxbury@gmail.com for more details.

Messages and condolences may also be made by visiting www.tricitycremations.com or by calling 519.772.1237.

We are saddened to announce the passing of our mother, Jacqueline Forbes, nee Lafleche, at the Cambridge Memorial hospital on September 15th, 2020. She was born in Sturgeon Falls Ontario on August 2nd, 1925.

Predeceased by her first husband, Norman Leslie Lennox, on November 13th, 1964, and then predeceased by her second husband, William James Forbes, on August 3rd, 2004. She has left behind her 3 children, Wayne Lennox (Lynn), Lorraine Lennox, and Diane Lennox (Joseph Laface), and 3 step children, Eugene Forbes (Sharon, deceased), Robert Forbes (Lillian), and Donald Forbes (Joanne), numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place at Tri City Cremations. Celebrations of her life will take place according to the personal wishes of the families.

​Our mother wore many hats, as most women do,  but I once asked her some years ago what some of her best memories were and without hesitation, she said "back in the bush with Bill"...I hope Ma, you're out there right now with Bill by your side...we all love you very much.
 
Messages and condolences may be left at www.tricitycremations.com or by calling 519.267.7199.