Obituaries & Condolences

DART, James “Jim”….

Peacefully at Victoria Hospital, London, on Thursday, May 20, 2021 James “Jim” Dart passed away in his 77th year. Beloved friend and companion to Sandra Jury for 62 years. Beloved father to Michele (Randall) Winslade and Karen Haughey (Darren Gibson). Proud grandfather to Brittany Winslade (Ryan Helwig), Miranda Winslade (Angie Turbill), Candace Haughey and James Haughey. Loving great-grandfather to Bryan Helwig. Cherished brother to Sandra and Bill Mask and uncle to many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by brothers Daryl and Randy Dart and parents Syd and Jean Dart. Cremation has taken place and at Jim’s wishes, no funeral service will be held. In Jim’s memory, donations may be made to Diabetes Canada, 1300-522 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2R5 or the Heart and Stroke Foundation, PO Box 460 STN K, Toronto, ON M4P 9Z9. Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London and Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com

BUTTERS, Brenda Tamson….

Peacefully at Chartwell White Eagle Long Term Care Residence, Toronto, Brenda Tamson Butters (née Wood) passed away on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 in her 79th year.

Brenda was born in 1942 to Evelyn Bullock and Harvey Wood. Brenda is survived by her cherished husband Kenneth Caskenette and is the proud Mom to her two children Michelle Oros (Tim) and Christopher Butters (Trish). She is known as Gramma B to her adored grandchildren Lauren, Lindsey and Avery Butters.

Brenda had a passion for work and a very successful professional career in the field of healthcare. Graduating from the Victoria Hospital School of Nursing as a registered nurse in 1963, she worked her way up the chain to the position of President and CEO of Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital, which she retired from in 2004. Brenda gave much of her time to volunteering and was very passionate about serving on various boards such as Casey House and the Ontario Lung Association. Additionally, she spent numerous years working as a surveyor for the Canadian Council of Health Services Accreditation. She felt very strongly about the continuation of quality improvement in the healthcare industry. Brenda and her husband Ken loved to travel and spent much time at their house in the south of France, along with visiting many other countries abroad. She had a vigor for life and always expressed an abundance of enthusiasm for whatever she took part in. Her energy will be sorely missed.

A private family service with interment at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham, Ontario, will be held in the near future. In Brenda’s memory, donations may be made to the Toronto Humane Society, 11 River Street, Toronto, ON M5A 4C2 where she worked as a volunteer and was a true lover of animals, especially all the cats. Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com

Passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home. Surrounded by her loving family, Elisabeth surrendered after a long courageous battle against cancer on Saturday, May 15, 2021, just one week after her 61st birthday. Cherished friend of Greg Penney. Beloved mother to sons Kyle Zehr, Chad and Drew Hoffmann. Dear daughter of Horst Guilhauman (Nancy) and Elisabeth Guilhauman. Fondly missed by sisters Theresa Cisecki (Rick Reinhart), Katharina Trautrim (Erwin), Magdalena Guilhauman (Guido), and brother Simon Guilhauman (Amy). She will be sadly missed by many nieces and nephews.

Elisabeth was born in Soltau, Germany and immigrated with her family to Canada as a young child in 1967. The family settled in the Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario area until her departure in 1986 to Windsor, Ontario to study and receive a degree in law. She would eventually settle in London, Ontario where she excelled in Life Coaching and found pleasure in painting landscapes. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

The family has honoured Elisabeth’s wishes to be cremated and a celebration of her life is being planned for a later date. Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com

JAMES, Barbara….

Barbara James passed away on Wednesday April 21, 2021 in her 91^st year, as the spring blossoms she loved so much were being dusted with snow.

She was at peace, with her loved ones by her side: daughter Cathie, son David and his wife Marie, who was a second daughter to her. Barbara’s husband Haydn was taken 28 years before her, but he never left her heart for a moment.

Barbara was one of those rare people who touched the lives of all who knew her with her kindness, compassion and humour. Jaime, Evan and Chantal were blessed to have her as their beloved Grannie. She was a devoted sister to Terry and Gill Dickinson, and aunt to Joanna, Robert and Amanda.

Barbara was born and lived in Wales before coming to Canada in the late 50s. The close friends she made here became family. Gerda Jensen and Gill Pinkney were like sisters to her, and Haydn Jensen was a beloved nephew.

Special thanks to the 5^th floor cardiac unit at Victoria Hospital for their care and attention.

Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com

FRIESEN, Elizabeth….

On April 2, 2021, Good Friday, Elizabeth Friesen passed away peacefully, with her daughter by her side, at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario. Beth was born in Leduc, Alberta; met her husband while teaching at the Fisher River Indian School in Manitoba; and spent most of her life in Vancouver, BC. She and Al had four children, were active members of Trinity Baptist and White Rock Baptist churches, and made many great friends.

Beth was a creative and loving mother who raised four distinctive children. She had a quick wit, a love of stories, and a desire for knowledge and understanding. Many will remember her as quite a character, with a deep curiosity about the people she encountered. Her joy was to connect with others, and with a little luck, to make them laugh. Even in her stays in the hospital near the end, the nurses and doctors often commented on how charming and humorous she was.

Describing the last few years, which she spent in Ontario, Beth said, “I’m so happy because I’m near the kids” – Barb and Pat. Her last moments were spent holding Barb’s hand.

Beth is predeceased by her loving husband Al, and her eldest son Roger. She is survived by Roger’s partner, Brigitte Rahn; son Randy Friesen and partner Susan Bolman; Randy’s daughter Natasha and partner Annabree, and 2 sons, Jerram, and Cormac; her daughter Barbara and husband Patrick, and sons, Thomas, and Christopher and partner Emily; and daughter Patty and husband Patrick, and sons Adam, and Nicholas.

Cremation has taken place. Donations in Beth’s memory may be made to Doctors Without Borders, 551 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 0N8. Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com

ERVASTI, Magaret…..

On March 29, 2021 after a short and very courageous bout with cancer, Margaret Anne Ervasti (Meyers) passed away peacefully at St. Joseph Hospice, London. Margaret was born in London in 1953 to Roy and Alma Meyers. She was a lover of the outdoors, and spent many hours hiking with her husband of 40+ years, Thomas Edward Ervasti. She was also an avid Blue Jays fan. Margaret was a dedicated 40-year Management employee at The Bank of Montreal and helped many people in her various branch postings around the London area. She is sadly and very greatly missed by her husband, Thomas, and his family. She was close to her sister, Lynda, and her husband, Wayne Buck, of New Hamburg. Margaret greatly enjoyed visits with Lynda’s and Wayne’s sons, daughter, and their children. There will not be a funeral, and cremation has occurred. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Joseph Hospice, 485 Windermere Road, P.O. Box 1449, Station B, London ON N6A 5M2 and The Canadian Cancer Society P.O Box 640 STN K, Toronto ON M4P 9Z9, are appreciated. Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com

FLEMING, Joan….

At Parkwood Institute, London, on Sunday, February 21, 2021, Joan passed away peacefully in her 65th year. Loving wife of Ed (Edmund) Fleming. Proud Mother of Kelly Fleming and Marisa Fleming (Jonathan). Beloved grandmother of Declan Jamieson, loving daughter of Wilma and the late Wilfred, and cherished mom of her beloved dog, Jack. Pre-deceased by brother Tom (Jo-ann), dearly missed by siblings Kathy (Ted), Barb (Terry), Mike, Carole, and Lorraine (Dave). Dear sister-in-law of Chris, Imelda, Carmel, John, Joseph, Gary, Caroline and Ethel and predeceased by Earl, Lillian, Vince and Syl. She will also be missed by many nieces and nephews. At Joan’s request, there will not be a funeral service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Joan to the Parkwood Institute Palliative Care Unit, c/o St. Joseph’s Health Foundation, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, ON N6A 4V2 or your local Humane Society. Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com

DICKIE, C. Grant 

Passed away peacefully on February 19^th, 2021 at Parkwood Hospital in his 82^nd year after a lengthy illness. Loving husband of Pat of London. Cherished father of Jamie of St. Thomas. Dear brother to Lynn of Chatham and brother-in-law to Ila of Petrolia. He will be lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Grant practised law first in Woodstock and then in London with the firms McLennan, Flynn & Driesman and Little and Jarrett.  Grant was an avid reader who enjoyed curling,  golf and watching sports on TV.  Cremation has taken place and at Grant’s request, no funeral service will be held. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Grant are asked to consider the Terry Fox Foundation 200-250 Ferrand Drive Toronto ON M3C 3G8, London & Area Food Bank 926 Leathorne Street, London ON N5Z 3M5 or Mission Services of London 459 York Street, London, ON N6B 1R3. .  Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com

HUMPHREY, Edwin….

With broken hearts, Aaron and Reagan announce the peaceful passing of Edwin Charles Humphrey, husband and father, at the age of 73.  Ed passed away Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at Victoria Hospital, London with Reagan, his wife, by his side.  Reagan was so very thankful to be with him.  He is survived by the love of his life, Reagan (Jeannie) Humphrey and his son, Aaron Humphrey.  Ed passed away after a diagnosis of cancer.  He did put up a very good fight but in the end, he was not able to conquer the horrid disease.  He is also survived by his mother, Cora Cnockaert of St. Thomas, Ontario.  He will be remembered by his grandchildren, Molly Humphrey Domville, Keegan Humphrey and Camille Humphrey, all of Toronto.  He is remembered as well by his brother-in-law, Donald Weekes and his wife, Lorraine Weekes of Glencoe, Ontario and remembered by his sister-in-law, Jan May, from Ft. Saskatchewan, Alberta.  Also remembered by cousins and many, many friends from Ontario and Alberta.  Predeceased by his son, Edwin Daniel Humphrey of Toronto, in 2014.  Also predeceased by his father, Jack Humphrey, from West Lorne, and his parents-in-law, Ollie and Maurice Weekes of Glencoe.  With much gratitude to Eddie’s medical team, Reagan and Aaron wish to thank the London Regional Cancer Program and all the doctors and nurses and staff at LHSC who cared for him with kindness and warmth.  Cremation has already taken place.  A celebration of his life will be held at a date to be announced.  In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Eddie may be made to the Regional Cancer Program in your area if anyone wishes to do so.  Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at wwww.cremationlondon.com

DORRINGTON, Nancy Ann….

Peacefully at her residence, on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, Nancy Ann Dorrington passed away in her 76th year. She will lovingly be remembered by her husband, Michael Hanes of Orangeville. Loving mother of Lela (Jamie) Deans and Brandon (Marilyn) Dorrington. Proud Nana of Ava, William and Sarah. Predeceased by her parents Walter and Ethel Coolen, and her brother Winston “Skip” Coolen. Nancy will be remembered for her vibrant personality and sense of humour by family and many friends. She loved to spend time outdoors in the sunshine gardening, antiquing and traveling. Cremation has taken place and an interment will be held at Parklawn Cemetery, Cambridge at a later date. Donations in Nancy’s memory may be made to the Humane Society London & Middlesex, 624 Clarke Road, London, ON N5V 3K5 and would be gratefully appreciated. Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com