IN MEMORIAM
Diane McIntosh: After a long illness, at Fox Hollow Retirement Residence in London, ON, we lost a kind, talented, lovely, and loving woman, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at the age of 87. Diane was the beloved wife of John Stuart McIntosh for 57 years. She was a loving mother to Kim Bloomfield (Andrew) and Kyle McIntosh (Jennifer), the adored Nana of Darian Bloomfield, and Natalie and Sydney McIntosh. Diane is survived by her sister, Susan Jadwin (Tom), and she is remembered fondly by her nieces and nephew, Cynthia Jadwin, Pamela Jadwin, Deb Lewis, and Nigel Marson. Music was central to Diane’s life. She graduated from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. She played the piano and organ, and taught private piano lessons for many years, sharing her life-long love of music with her students and her many friends. She was involved in church music as well, both as an organist and as a choir member. Diane loved literature, theatre, and fine food. She celebrated life and faced it fearlessly, always with a smile on her face and a kind word for anyone fortunate enough to cross her path. She treasured her family and took special delight in her grandchildren. Her beloved family and friends will continue to cherish the memory of her joyful presence, a tremendous sense of humour, and unconditional love. Warm thanks and much gratitude to the Fox Hollow Retirement Residence staff, where Diane was treated with care, respect, and kindness. Thank you also to the VON, who cared for and supported Diane in her last week. Cremation has taken place. A small memorial service will be held for the immediate family at St. James Westminster, where John was organist and choir director for many years. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Diane’s name to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, or the VON.
Virginia “Ginnie” Willms: Was predeceased by her husband, Charles Henry Willms and her parents, John Arthur Hinton Philpott and Elsie May Wright. Even though Ginnie was blind from a young age, she pursued a full life in spite of her challenges. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. After attending The Ontario School For the Blind, she attended Brockville Business College. Her many jobs over the years included dicta typist, stenographer, rehabilitation teacher, proofreader and secretary. She travelled, unaccompanied to study at the Chicago Bible College, earning a Bachelor of Religious Education degree. Upon returning to Toronto, she attended a Billy Graham Crusade which changed her life. From then on, she had a close, faithful walk with God. She became a regular attendee of churches wherever she resided. After a visit to Godrich, she decided to move here. Ginnie became an active member of Knox Presbyterian serving as an Elder, Secretary of a committee, started prayer groups and was a member of the Arthur Circle Women’s Missionary Society. It was at one of those meetings, that she heard about the Divine Fellowship School for the Blind in Kalkata (formerly spelled Calcutta), India and she decided she would fulfill her longtime desire to do mission work. Off she went, twice, unaccompanied, to that school. While living at Goderich Place Senior Facility, she conducted Bible studies for residents and sent them out to others by email. She also had her life story “My Life with God-Blind But Challenged” published while there. Certainly a “Life Well Lived!” A celebration of life will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church, Goderich on July 4 at 2 p.m. Seeing as she requested her body to be donated to science, her interment will be at Victoria Lawn Cemetery, St Catherine’s at a later date.
Winnifred “Winnie” Walters: It is with broken hearts but gratitude for her 88 years of life that Joanne, Bill and Steve announce the passing of our dear mom Winnie at Maitland Manor on April 3, 2024. Born on the family farm in Ashfield Township, the only daughter of Lorne and Beatrice (Stein) Farrish, she grew up with older brothers Jack, George and Don and younger brother, Harold who, along with their wives, all predeceased her. She moved to Goderich to find work in her teens where she met our dad Gord. They celebrated almost 61 years of marriage before he predeceased her in 2015. She was also predeceased by her niece Marie (Farrish) Dignan, great-niece Ashley Farrish and great-nephew Travis Farrish. Besides her three children, she is survived by dear daughters-in-law Janice (Bill) and Judi (Steve), her precious grandchildren Saddie (Tony), Tori (Talmon) and David (Ngan) and her sweet baby great-granddaughter Harlow, along with many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews who will miss her loving presence and delicious contributions to the annual Farrish picnic. Winnie worked as a cashier at A&P for 32 years, starting in the store on West Street and later moving to the store in Suncoast Mall. She loved her customers and co-workers and they loved her back. Thanks to her friend Leone, she continued to meet weekly for coffee with some of her fellow A&P retirees as long as she was able. Winnie was also an active member of Knox Presbyterian Church and a Life Member of the Arthur Circle Women’s Missionary Society (WMS). She helped organize and prepare countless funeral luncheons at Knox and quilted with the Knox Quilters, embroidering a number of quilts for family members to treasure. She was also a prolific knitter, making sweaters, slippers, blankets and baby outfits to gift to family, friends and charities. Winnie and Gord travelled to numerous places across Canada and the U.S, with regular trips to Florida for many years. Winnie and Joanne made three trips to Europe, visiting Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Ireland, England and Scotland. To know Winnie was to love her. She was a beautiful person inside and out. She always had a big smile and friendly word for everyone she met. She also had a great sense of humour which sometimes shone through even as she struggled with dementia in her final years. She volunteered for many organizations and performed many acts of kindness over the years. We were so blessed to have her in our lives and will cherish our memories of her forever. At Winnie’s request, cremation has taken place with interment to be held at a later date in Maitland Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church on Thursday, April 25 at 11 a.m. In Winnie’s memory, donations to Knox Presbyterian Church, Alexandra Marine & General Hospital Foundation, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 109, Huron Alzheimer Society or charity of your choice may be made through McCallum and Palla Funeral Home.
Norman McGillivray: At the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Goderich, on Thursday, February 22, 2024, Norman passed away in his 87th year. High school sweetheart and dearest husband to his wife, Margaret for over 64 years. Norm was a retired 36 year employee of Stelco- Hamilton Hilton Works-Mobile Equipment Department. Upon his retirement he was fortunate to become a photographer/ reporter for Old Autos magazine covering classic car shows in Ontario, the USA and the United Kingdom, and a member of the Circle City Cruizers Car Club and a long-time member and elder in the Presbyterian Church. From his teen years Norm’s love of the classic vehicles saw him restore and maintain numerous vintage cars and trucks. There was very little that Norm could not fix, repair or modify and his knowledge was legendary. Norm is survived by his wife, Margaret; brother, Dennis and his wife, Carolyn of Burlington, brother-in-law, John Flynn and his wife, Donna of London, numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Predeceased by his parents, Albert and Stella McGillivray and brother, Stewart; all of Hamilton. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held in the spring in Goderich. Donations in his memory to the Presbyterian Camp Kintail and the Huron County Museum- Goderich would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to Simple Choice Cremation.
Violet (MacAdam) Fuller: passed away peacefully on Tuesday February 27, 2024, the beloved wife of the Late Douglas Fuller. Loving Mother of Lynn Frydrych and Ray Frydrych, Brenda and Robert McCreight and Steven Fuller. Loving Grandmother of Graem and Deb Crawford, Nicholas and Symone McCreight, and Amanda McCreight, and Sam and Brittney Crawford. Proud Great Gramma of Denver McCreight and Azalei McCreight and Ryland McCreight.
Remembered by sister Peal Fernandez and brother Duncan MacAdam, sisters in laws Clara A Jewel, Noreen Straughan, Hellen Faber, and Valoise MacAdam. Predeceased by her parents Herbert and Violet MacAdam. Family will receive friends at the McCallum & Palla Funeral Home, Goderich on Wednesday March 6, 2024 from 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers donations to Huron Hospice Bender House, Adopt-a-Pet, Lucknow or charity of choice are gratefully acknowledged by the family.