On March 24, 1919 in Ribe, Denmark, a child was born to the late Aager and Toma Jacobsen. She was the youngest of four children and was given name Ragnhild or “Annie”. She was our Mom.  Mom’s birth came four months after the end of World War I and then when she was ten years old, she lived through the Great Depression. Although her young life was challenging, she made the best of it.  The events and the experiences of her childhood shaped her life and ultimately made her the Mom that we knew and loved. She was a strong person who worked hard and appreciated the little things in life like the companionship of a dog or a garden of flowers where she could sit and admire the beauty of the world.
On May 5, 1944 while still in Denmark, Mom married our father, Svend Christensen and the two became one. Over the next few years, our family grew to include John, Asger, Finn, Steen, Ann and Thomas. Back in the 1950s and 1960s there was a trickle of immigrants who left Denmark. It was the desire of many Danes to leave their country in search of a new lifestyle and a new home where there was little unemployment and a better future. Although Mom and Dad would always call Denmark home, they knew that they wanted a better life for their children. So in 1958, they moved to Canada, settling near Cedar Springs where Dad took a job at the Southwestern Regional Centre. It was in Canada that their family became complete with the addition of their son Michael. Once most of the children were grown and independent, Mom also took a job at the Southwestern Regional Centre, working in the dietary department. Mom and Dad were always grateful for the opportunities that were afforded to them in Canada and as they gave back as much as they could to make the world a better place.  Through it all, Mom was blessed with a long and happy life. She passed away on October 21, 2022 after being loved for 103 years. Her experiences in life were many and she was filled with gratitude. The best times of her life were spent watching her family grow to include grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The hardest times of her life were when she lost Svend in 1991, Ann in 2003 and Asger in 2005. Her favourite place became her cottage just outside Rodney where she would spend time by herself, remembering the good things in her life and making sense of the times that challenged
her.
In nature, a tree begins as a root. As the tree grows, its branches reach out in different directions but its roots always remain the same. It’s the same for families…we all grow in different directions but our roots remain the same. Mom and Dad’s “branches” reached from Denmark to Canada but their roots always remained in the place they called home; Denmark. In as much as they sacrificed what they had in 1958 to bring us to a land that would give us more opportunity, it is an honour now that we will return them home in Denmark to be buried together.

“Det var en aere at vaere dit barn”
“It was an honour to be your child”

A Celebration of Annie’s Life will be held in the Community Room at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home this Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm with refreshments being served.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing away of Donald Wyndham Cowley who passed away at home surrounded by his family on Thursday May 11, 2023 at the age of 92. Don was the loving husband of Lorna Cowley (nee Prout) of Blenheim. Loving father of Dianne (Peter) Moffat, late Max (late Elaine) Cowley and late Mark (Pam) Cowley. Step father to Kim (Tom) Ward and Steven Russell. Grandfather to many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. Brother to Wayne (Virginia) Cowley and brother-in-law to Eleanore (Ken) Dease. Sadly missed by many nieces, nephews, and close friends. Don will be dearly missed for his charming smile that was always a part of him. Many will remember Don for his years of fixing farm equipment and owning his own business, D.W. Cowley and Sons. Don had a huge heart for children and believed in the many charities helping kids. He was involved in the Blenheim Open at the golf club raising funds for the Children’s Make-A-Wish Foundation. He rode motorcycles with the Goldwing Road Riders raising funds for children as well. He was a chartered member of the Optimist Club and was even recognized in the community as the Senior Citizen of the year. He loved many card games, Euchre and Solitaire being his favourite. Don travelled the world and truly enjoyed a great life. Cremation has taken place and a private family interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a children’s charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

It is with profound sadness to advise that Robert Bruce Tinline of Blenheim passed away, with his family by his side, on Thursday May 11th, 2023. Born in Chatham 74 years ago to the late Blake & Norma Tinline. Beloved husband of 52 years to Ellen (Kearney) Tinline. Proud and loving father to their sons Drew (Wendi Van Dyke) and Brad (Shannon Minor). He was the doting “Grandpa T” to his three grandsons Blake, Jack and Will and a granddaughter, Clair. Bob was predeceased by his infant son Stacey (Brad’s twin) and is survived by his only sister Wendy Hehn (Ernie) and sons, Matthew and David (Ambar) and their children, Harlow and Braylon.
Bob was born and raised in Thamesville where he loved to run the countryside, played sports and was a lifeguard at the Thamesville Pool. He frequented the Rondeau Pavilion where he loved to dance and hang with friends. He first set eyes on his soulmate, Ellen, at the RDHS Teen Town dance. From there they continued their lifelong journey together, finally settling in Blenheim to start their family.
Bob was a hard-working individual and owned his own construction business for many years. Bob took great pride in learning and sharing his knowledge with others (or anybody who would listen). Bob loved sports, especially playing and coaching baseball and hockey. He was fondly known as “Tinner” by his teammates and friends. Bob was passionate about hunting, but what he loved the most, as he got older, was going to The Watt’s Bay Hunt Camp and spending time with his sons, grandkids and friends.
Bob’s wish was to have a Mix and Mingle, as he called it. So please stop by the Blenheim Legion between 4pm – 9 pm, Monday, May 15th and share a drink with friends and family to reminisce, share a story or two to celebrate Bob’s life. There will be a light snack available.  Thank you to the staff at the Chatham-Kent Hospice for keeping Bob comfortable in his final days. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

It’s with great sadness to say that Ronald Cameron passed away peacefully with family surrounding him at the CKHA May 3, 2023.  Ron has been relinked with the love of his life Edith (2010) and was the last surviving of 9 siblings.

Ron was born in Nova Scotia and came to Toronto as a young lad where he met and married his best friend, Edith.  They moved to Chatham Kent in 1964, loved this area and raised their two children.

Surviving are his two children: Randy and Lerma of Alberta, Sandra and Mark of Blenheim and his cherished grandchildren: John and Tara of St. Thomas, Shawn and Ginger of Frogmore, Matthew and Amanda of Alberta, Richelle and Greg of London and Alex and Katie of Alberta.  The joys of his life were his Great Grandchildren: Auston and Jordon of Essex, Ashton, Tyson and Hudson of Frogmore, Logan and Sophie of Alberta, Tharron and Keaton of St.Thomas and Emily of London.  Ron is also survived by several nieces and nephews from the East and West Coast, who he loved like his own children.

Ron worked for many years at Eaton Yale and was a proud member of the Blenheim Branch Lion Club.  He enjoyed giving back to his community.  He and Edith travelled back and forth in the summers to the east coast, the place they called “HOME”.  They enjoyed travelling, watching the TORONTO BLUE JAYS, golfing, cards, and being around family and friends.  Camping was huge in the Cameron family; on most weekends the trailer, kids and dog were packed and ready to go.  Making pie irons, roasting hot dogs, marshmallows and even a few pairs of sneakers are all a part of the great memories we have.

During the winters Ron was either found at the arena or watching his TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS.  There wasn’t a weekend that he didn’t travel somewhere in Ontario to watch his son, his grandchildren and even his great grandchildren; most times it was 2-3 games a Saturday or Sunday.  He loved every minute of it too.

When Edith passed away, Ron still wanted to do some travelling but not alone, so he talked his good friend Bert into travelling to Florida, the East and West coasts and even hitting one place on Ron’s bucket list, Newfoundland.  To his good friends Bert, Bob and Cathy, thank you so much for being there for him.  He loved you like you were his brothers and sisters.

A special thank you to Kathy Lee and Cindy Schippies from VON.  These ladies not only provided care for him but shared companionship.  They showed their love and devotion for the elderly.  We also want to thank the nursing staff and doctors at CKHA.

Ron has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 9 at 11:00 am.

Please come in your blue and white.  GO LEAFS GO!!!

Donations to the Diabetes Association https://www.diabetes.ca/ or the Multiple Sclerosis Society https://mssociety.donorportal.ca/ would be appreciated by the family.

Sandra Elaine Gauthier of Merlin passed away with her family by her side at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Wednesday May 3, 2023.  Daughter of the late Marian (nee Ford) (2015) and Ken Dawson (1971), also predeceased by her step-father Albert Eskritt (2007), Sandra was raised on the family farm outside of Merlin with her sister Heather Dawson and brother Murray Dawson.  She was the self-proclaimed angel of the group!

In High School, she met a young man named Richard Gauthier and fell in love.  They married in 1977 and raised their son Kenny also on the home farm.  Sandra’s life was complete with the arrival of her grandchildren Samantha and Kayden who she loved with all her heart.

After working for a time at the hospital in Chatham, Sandra decided to team up with Richard, obtaining her truck driver’s license and running the roads with the cb handle “Northern Sunshine”.  Their final trip was just last year…a 14,000 km vacation through the United States, up through British Columbia and back home…  she was so happy that they did that.  Beyond that, she enjoyed walking, she enjoyed stopping and talking to folks and watching animals along her travels and she enjoyed her family.  She was loved and will be missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held and announced for Sandra at a later date.

Marie Argent passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Wednesday May 3, 2023 at the age of 74 years.  She was predeceased by her husband Terrance Argent in 2019 and missed him every day.  Marie will be remembered and loved forever by her daughters Terroleen Argent, Debbie McLean (Darrell) and Dorinda Martin (Mark).  She was a proud grandmother of Pete (Kate), Neil (Steph), Tamara (Kevin), Quisha (Andrew), Joshua (Sam), Mackenzie (Justin), Zach, Lindsay, Hayden, Jaxx and Candace (Mike) and great-grandmother of Addyson, Bennett, Daiton, Terry, Zander, Jose, Nevaeh, Ellie, Remi, Finn, Chase, Aubree, Riley, Keaton, Denver, Charlie, Hadley, Alaia and Emery.

Marie’s career was in Nursing.  She was kind and gentle; a perfect fit for taking care of people.  Life just kept getting better and better for her with the addition of each grandchild and great-grandchild…they were her life.  In her quiet times, she loved shopping at thrift stores and spending time with her cats who she would make toast for every morning because the nurturing side of her never stopped.

It was Marie’s request that her family remember her privately at this time.  Friends and family who would like to remember her with a memorial donation are asked to consider a charity of your choice.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donna Marie (Barnes) Meyers who passed away with family by her side at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Wednesday April 26, 2023 at the age of 86.  Donna was the daughter of the late Percy and Mabel (nee Holmes) Ashby.  Loving wife of the late James Barnes (1989) and Joseph Meyers (2008).  Dear mother of Jim (Lynne) Barnes, Pat (Rick) Caron, Judy (Dave) Tomek, and Brad (Leah) Barnes.  Grandmother of Ryan (Nadine) Burk, James (Tanya) Barnes, Chantelle Barnes, Amanda (Craig) Horak, Steve (Randi) Caron, Ashley (Aaron) Armstrong, Laura Leigh (Ryan) Wilson, and Brandon Barnes.  Also survived by 23 great grandchildren, 5 step great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  Sister of Brenda (late Eldon) Dent, Barb (Wayne) Richmond, David (Maria) Ashby, and predeceased by Fran (George) Felder, Louise (Bill) Johnston, and Mary Lou (Fred) McEachran.  Donna will be remembered for her love of her family, her many years working as a cashier and bookkeeper at IGA, her many day trips with her sister Barb to the casino, and their attendance at many concerts and shows, and her afternoon card games of ‘hand and foot’ with her sisters and brother.  A special thank you to Dr. Samantha Chandrasena and the staff at the Chatham-Kent Hospice for taking such great care of Donna  while she was in your care.  Visitation will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley St. in Blenheim on Monday May 1 from 2:00pm until 4:00pm and 6:00pm until 8:00pm.  A funeral service will be held at the funeral home with Rev. Tim Joyce officiating on Tuesday at 11:00am with visitation one hour prior.  Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.  Donations made in memory of Donna to the Chatham-Kent Hospice would be appreciated.  Online condolences may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

Naomi Violet Dick (nee Mott) passed away at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Thursday April 20, 2023 after a short battle with cancer.  She was born in Chatham on September 13, 1931, the daughter of the late Art and Thelma Mott.

Naomi was the loving Mother of Ralph (Gayle), Darrell (Kathy), Kevin (Lisa) and Brian (Sherry).  She was predeceased by her daughter Brenda Poile (2012), her infant daughter Diane and their father Edsel Dick (2019).  Proud Grandmother of Cory (Teri), Shauna (John), Mike (Roxanne), Joel, Jason (Cathryn), Angela, Sarah, Mackenzie and Chris.  Great Gramma to Asher, Avery, Adrianna, Evan, Elijah, Payton, Bree, Julia, Natalie and Kaydence.  Dear sister of Gord and the late Bill and Margaret.  She will be fondly remembered by her nephew Jim Mott and many extended members of the Dick family.

Naomi was a second mother to many of our friends growing up.  We will always be grateful to Johnny and Barb Chapple who hosted Mom for many of Johnny’s delicious Italian dinners and for the many times they took her on shopping trips over to the states.

Mom was an equal opportunity Mother.  There were no favourites for her as she loved us all the same.  At 91 years of age, she was still fiercely independent, living alone in her apartment building at 65 Riverview Drive, Chatham.  She kept herself sharp and busy doing puzzles, intricate colouring books, dried flowers and her latest passion, making crafts.  Her beautiful handwriting was also a skill that she excelled at.  She still had her driver’s license and she liked to take short drives out into the country.  She enjoyed visiting with her oldest friend Molly Cross and her family.

Thank you to the staff at the Chatham-Kent Hospice for keeping Naomi comfortable in her final days.

Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Naomi’s life will be held at the Merlin Kinsmen Hall on Saturday May 13, 2023 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Donations made in memory of Naomi to the Chatham-Kent Hospice, or the Salvation Army would be appreciated.

Liza Marie Cundle peacefully passed away at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance on April 4, 2023 at the age of 55. Liza was the daughter of Jackie Cundle (late Don) of Blenheim and dear sister to Terri (John) Kirby of Blenheim. Special Aunt to Clifford (Julia) Kirby who referred to Liza as “Tuffy”. Liza will be remembered for her love of animals, especially dogs, and her love for her dog, “Foxy”. She was a member of the Canadian Kennel Club and the Kent Kennel Club. Apart from dogs, she enjoyed making her own patterns in cross stitching and often stitched birth announcements. She even enjoyed spending time with her nephew Clifford playing video games. Family was very important to Liza and she was often seen in the community with her mom and sister Terri. She will be dearly missed. Cremation has taken place and the family will be remembering her privately. A special thank you to her family physician, Dr. Wheeler, Dr. Bashir and the ICU team at CKHA (Stephanie and Nancy) that assisted in Liza’s care through her last days. A Celebration of Life will take place in the Community Room at the funeral home on Saturday June 24 from 1:00pm until 3:00pm.  Donations made in memory of Liza to the Canadian Kennel Club would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com

A tribute to Liza can be viewed by clicking the following link:https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/K2BG6ZKB5L967GZ9

Ruth Evangeline (Gordier) Shillington passed away at the age of 93 years at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on March 29, 2023.

Born in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia in 1929 to the late Ella (Stull) and George Arnold Gordier, she grew up in several small towns in Ontario, graduating from High School in Thornbury.  She graduated from the University of Western Ontario and the Ontario College of Education.  Due to her having one year of teaching experience in a rural public school in Maple Island, she was accepted in 1952 to teach Business at Blenheim District High School, where she met Peter Shillington.  They were married in 1957, this “wouldn’t last” union, which lasted over 60 years until Peter’s death in 2018. Surviving is an adopted son, Harold (Dawn); grandchildren April (Adam), Benjamin (Robyn) and great grandson Noah.  Also survived by Jim (Mary) Shillington, Jean (Neil) Armstrong, Sharon Gordier and many nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by Paul Shillington (2016), Carol Shillington (2013) and Lyle Gordier (2020).  Very close friend to Mike Burke (Shelley).

Ruth taught Business in Blenheim District High School for 13 years, then transferred to Chatham-Kent Secondary School, where she remained until retirement in December 1985.

Ruth was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron, District Deputy Grand Matron, and two years as Grand Representative of the State of Texas in Ontario.  She served the Blenheim United Church Women as pianist and Treasurer and sang in the choir.

Ruth and Peter loved travelling, especially cruising, and visited all seven Continents.  In her spare time, she would knit and crochet.

A special thank-you to Ruth’s caregiver, Mary Giroux and to her special friends Ron and Cathy White, Marion Warwick, Janet Kemp, Paul and Joyce Seagrave, and fellow teacher Dale McReynolds that have cared for her over the past number of years.

A Celebration of Life officiated by Pastor Tim Joyce will take place at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Saturday April 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.  Friends wishing to remember Ruth with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Word of Life Soup Kitchen.

Online condolences and memorial donations may be left at www.blenheimcommunityfuneralhome.com