January 2013 – Page 5 – Morrisburg Leader

Dogs Looking for Forever Loving Homes

January 16, 2013 Editor

Dogs Looking for forever homes…

The South Dundas Animal Shelter is operated by Kevin Casselman who is contracted to work with the Municipality of South Dundas and a number of other neighbouring municipalities. Currently the Shelter is extremely crowded with 12 dogs now receiving help. And indeed, it is your help they need…under circumstances they don’t understand.

In addition, any owner who sees their dog featured in a "Looking for Forever Homes" column, can always come forward and reclaim their loved one. Just last week, we were prepared to show two dogs, whose owner had been searching (by car) for days and who had finally contacted the shelter…you can imagine the reunion. And while dogs wearing their tags can usually be hooked back up with their owners, we also understand that in the rural areas, dogs often don’t wear their collars. Sometimes they even pull lose of their collars when tied up.

The dogs are the responsibility of the municipality for four days, after which they are signed over to Casselman who, with the help of some locals, tries to find these beautiful creatures, permanent, loving homes.

There are no adoption fees, although a cash donation or dog food donation, both determined by the dog’s size and length of stay, are expected.

Casselman does his best to determine the age and temperament of the dogs and only allows them to be adopted when he feels they are over their trauma and ready to join loving families.

The following are six of the 12 dogs currently up for adoption. Other dogs not featured can be seen by contacting Casselman at 613-543-2980.

Donations can also be made to the shelter in the way of cash or dog supplies (food, bedding, toys etc) and can be dropped off at the Animal Hospital in Morrisburg.

Dog #1–Dog number one is a Bull Mastiff, and so a good sized dog. He is one of the calmest dogs currently at the shelter and is a beautiful rich tan colour. He is house trained and appears to like children and other dogs. He is so looking for a family to love him and can be expected to give a lot of loving back. He is like a big loving teddy bear. Adopted Sunday, January 20.!!!

Dog #2–Dog number two is a special needs purebred American Bulldog. This four-year-old female is house trained, and very protective. She has some special issues that will need to be addressed and anyone interested in her adoption should call and discuss the issues with Kevin. A confident, social and active dog, the American Bulldog should be socialized early with children and they tend not to be sociable with other dogs. Please contact Kevin to help determine what he has seen of this dog’s nature.

Dog #3–Dog number three is thought to be a Shepherd mix…perhaps with some Husky. How this dog ended up at the shelter is everyone’s guess. It is a beautiful brown/red and tan color with white markings. A male, it is about two years old and has been neutered. He is house trained, good with children and so very friendly that he would make a loving addition to any family home.

Dog #4–Dog number four is a charming little puppy which has been at the shelter for a couple of weeks and was featured last week. It is quite surprising that this female puppy with the adorable spotted feet has not been adopted. She appears to be a lab-shepherd mix and is now about six months old, so she is ready to be trained to fit into any family setting. She was so very excited to have her photo taken and so very excited to play with the photographers that it was unsettling as to how much love she has to give and how this wee young puppy has found herself in such an unfortunatepredicament. She was found in the Moose Creek area. Adopted Sunday, January20

Dog #5–Dog number five was also featured last week and has been at the Shelter for a couple of weeks. It is always a concern when a older dog is rescued, but time and again, they have gone out for adoption and their new families report back the wonderful out-pouring of love they received for these poor sad animals who suffer so from being removed from longtime homes. This dog is a beautiful female, shepherd mix (4-5 years old, so really not that old). She was rescued in the Dundela area. She is very calm, very friends and house-trained.

This is a public service column provide by The Leader. The Leader accepts no responsibility for the dogs or the adoption process.

[…]

Morrisburg Curlers…good play at Granite

January 16, 2013 Editor

Our ladies are still travelling through Eastern Ontario, challenging curlers from other clubs. Greta McGann’s team had the early draw at Ottawa Granite last week. With Greta were Kathy Johnston, Claire Locke and Janie Connelly. They did well: in their first match, they dropped a tight game to City View, and after lunch curled against Ottawa Navy and defeated them. And there’s much more to come from these busy members. Well done, all!

Curling in the late draw in the same bonspiel were Alice Thompson, Susan McIntosh, Sharon Van Allen and Linda Murphy. They lost their first game to the eventual champions from Cornwall, and had a better match against a team from Ottawa R.A., but couldn’t pull off the win.

We’ll have details about the Tuesday matches against the three men’s teams from Scotland next time. The Canadian side was bolstered by foursomes from Winchester and Cornwall. Our Morrisburg representatives were Sid Morrell, Raymond Benoit, John Allison and Ron Beaupre, as well as Mahlon Locke, Jack Barkley, Wally Baker and George Rutley.

With a change to an earlier date, January 19, the Alzheimers bonspiel is now on at our club. There are still a few openings, so sign up on the entry sheet in the lobby if you’re interested. It’s a charity we would like to see succeed.

Upcoming events include a friendly visit here by the Prescott senior men on Jan. 23, the Bernie Brunt Senior Men’s Invitational bonspiel on Jan. 30, the Senior Mixed 222 bonspiel, the Heart and Stroke bonspiel on Feb. 16, and the S. D. and G. High School Championship on Feb. 19.

Last weekend Wendy Casselman joined her three friends from Winchester again, Janet Lapierre, Janet Levere and Janet Thompson, in the Ladies Zone 1 playdowns for the Canadian championship, the Tournament of Hearts competition. Unfortunately they did not advance to the Regionals this time. Barbieri of the Ottawa Curling Club and Cameron of Russell were victorious and hope to make it to the Provincials. Better luck next year, folks!

And congratulations to another Winchester team, skipped by Casandra Raganold, who won at Regionals and went on to the Junior Provincial championship, where they played well, but were edged out by the Manotick foursome for the title.

This morning three of our daytime mixed teams journeyed to Russell for a return “friendly” bonspiel. Our quartets were Andy Patenaude, Alice Thompson, Greta McGann, and Bud Perry, also Sue McIntosh, Grahame Hardy, Claire Locke and Fred Langlotz, as well as Sam Locke, Kathy Hardy, Denis Thibault and Bob Youmelle. Hope you all had a pleasant morning!

The bonspiel season for the little rockers is coming up, and we hope to have results for you shortly on their efforts.

Good curling to all!

[…]

Million dollar disappointment

January 16, 2013 Editor

South Dundas will not get the $1 million federal government funding that municipal officials hoped would help offset some of the costs of the $4 million renovation of the former Morrisburg Collegiate Institute.

Recently, South Dundas received notice that the funding application to the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund was not successful.

“I am deeply disappointed,” South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds told The Leader Monday. “The economic benefits of this project would have far outweighed the million dollar investment.”

The high school renovation project, and its spin-offs, provide much needed and expanded space for health care, municipal, community, social and library services.

These expansions would have certainly resulted in job creation, according to the mayor.

Although disappointed that the funding application was not successful, despite its far-reaching economic benefits, Mayor Byvelds said, “We will still find the money for this project.”

The Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, through which South Dundas was seeking $1 million, is part of the government’s economic action plan. In 2012, it was announced that $150 million would be made available nationally, over two years.

The fund is designed to support the rehabilitation and improvement, including expansion of existing community infrastructure facilities, in order to improve the quality of community facilities and provide economic benefits, including the support of job creation.

The December 12 letter from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario said that many outstanding applications were received and difficult decisions had to be made as the agency was unable to accommodate all applicants.

“We reviewed the project you submitted in great detail, and I regret to inform you that your project was not selected for funding,” said the letter. “All CIIF applications were assessed based on the degree to which they met the program eligibility requirements and selection criteria.”

[…]

Grietje Hansma

January 16, 2013 Editor

A resident of the Hartford Retirement Home, Morrisburg, for the past six years, Grietje Hansma (nee Barels) passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, January 8, 2013. She was 96.

Grietje was born in Holland, on February 24, 1916, to her parents Hendrick and Grietje Barels (nee Rebbers). She completed elementary school and then stayed home to help care for her younger siblings and work on the family farm.

She grew into a young woman who loved the farm and who loved music and dancing. In her early 20’s, she contracted and miraculously survived diphtheria.

On May 1st, 1941, Grietje married her former neighbour Obele Hansma and together they had five sons Henry, Roy and Oebele in Holland, and Garth and Toney in Canada.

Together with her husband’s family, Obele and Grietje worked the Hansma farm in Spier for 11 years before deciding to expand their own horizons in Canada.

In 1952, Grietje, Obele and their three sons boarded the S.S. Veendaam with all their belongings to move to Prescott, Ontario. There they worked for nearly three years before purchasing Erwin Haggerty’s farm in Toyes Hill. where they moved with their four sons on the coldest day of 1955.

It was here that they became members of the United Church of Canada in Winchester Springs, and remained members for the rest of their lives. They proudly became Canadian citizens in 1959.

Obele and Grietje remained on the farm until their semi-retirement in 1973, when Winchester came to be their new home.

Part-time jobs at the United Church and then at Ault’s Foods kept them just busy enough until full-time retirement in 1983. Grietje remained in her home in Winchester until 2006, when she moved to the Hartford Retirement Home.

Grietje was a devoted wife and a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Grietje is survived by her children Henry (Thelma) of Morrisburg, Roy (Sharon) of Winchester, Oebele (Janice) of Morrisburg and Garth (Ginette) of Toyes Hill.

She was dear sister of Kiny Beekelaar and Ubelina Bies, both of Holland.

Grietje will be fondly remembered by grandchildren Dean (Marilyn), Rick (Sarah), Shelley (Tim), Tracey (Marc), Tania (Terry), Phillip, Melanie and by great-grandchildren Chase, Ty, Tyler, Brittany, Tony, Ariabella, Brianna and Kiahna.

Also survived by nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Obele, her son Toney, her twin infant sisters Tjoukina and Hillegina Barels, her sister Rika Barels, and her brothers Roelof, Teunis, Wilte and Arend Barels.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Friday from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of the funeral service at 11 a.m.

The funeral service was conducted by Rev. Arlyce Schiebout.

Interment followed at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville. Pallbearers were Dean Hansma, Rick Hansma, Tania Tapley, Melanie Hansma, Chase Beaudry and Ty Beaudry.

Donations to Winchester Hospital would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

[…]

Geraldine Casselman

January 16, 2013 Editor

A resident of the Dundas Manor Nursing Home in Winchester for the past three years, Geraldine Casselman (nee Smith) passed away there on Saturday, January 5, 2013. She was 83.

Geraldine was born in Vermont on August 6, 1929, to her parents Keith and Lucille Smith (nee Vincelette). She was educated in local schools and she was an excellent student. After graduation she pursued a career as a secretary in Ottawa.

She married Percy Casselman of Winchester Springs, and she enjoyed the pleasures of country living. They were blessed with two sons Steven and Gary. Unfortunately, Gary died in infancy.

Geraldine was an accomplished pianist and her family thoroughly enjoyed her playing the piano so beautifully. She also enjoyed craft work and was very talented at this as well. Her stuffed toy animals made many little children happy.

An extremely independent person, Geraldine spent a good deal of her time driving about on her motorized scooter and in her automobile. She also enjoyed visiting the local flea markets.

Geraldine and Percy shared a love of music, dancing and travelling locally. They attended community functions, church socials and church suppers. Unfortunately, later in life Geraldine encountered poor health and these activities were curtailed.

Geraldine is survived by her son Steven of Oshawa and her brother David (Rosemary) Smith of Prescott. She was predeceased by her husband Percy, her infant son Gary, her parents Keith and Lucille Smith (nee Vincelette) and her brother Earl Smith. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of the funeral service at 11 a.m., which was conducted by Rev. Christine Lowson.

Interment followed at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville. Pallbearers were Steven Casselman, Douglas Casselman, David Smith, Matt Smith, Glen Hart and Drew Lefebvre.

Donations to Winchester Springs United Church would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

[…]

L. Verl Levere

January 16, 2013 Editor

A lifetime resident of the area, Verl Levere (nee Byrd) of Morrisburg, passed away at the Hartford Retirement Home in Morrisburg on Friday, January 4, 2013. She was 91.

Verl was born on the family farm in Mountain Township, on December 9, 1921, to her parents Alfred and Nettie (Baker) Byrd. She attended public school at the North Mountain Consolidated School at Hallville.

Prior to getting married, Verl worked at the Golden Glove Works in Prescott.

On April 24, 1943, she married Clarence Levere at her family home in Van Camp, in Mountain Township.

Following their marriage Clarence and Verl took up residence at R.R. # 1, Brinston where they owned and operated both a dairy and a beef farm.

In January 1965, they established “Levere’s Meat Market and Slaughter House” where they worked alongside each other, until they retired and moved to Morrisburg in 1987.

Since moving to Morrisburg, Verl participated in the SSS Christian Women’s Group and Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed bowling, shuffle board and participating in the local Euchre Marathon.

Verl was a member of Hanesville United Church until its closing in 1976, after which she became a member of Brinston United Church.

Upon moving to Morrisburg, she was a member of Lakeshore Drive United Church.

Verl was a great cook, loved to write poems, was a self-taught artist and an accomplished seamstress. She loved to sing and to step dance, played the piano by ear and loved to entertain the residents with her harmonica.

Verl is survived by daughters: Carole Warren and Joan (Lawrence) Larocque of Morrisburg, and by sons Doug (Bev) of Ottawa and Roger (Tom) of Toronto.

Verl will be fondly remembered by grandchildren Cindy (Jim) Bennis, Leisa (Ernie) Beckstead, Todd (Tracey) Larocque, Melanie Warren (Patrick Burke), Jo-Anne (Wayne) Minish, Sara Warren, Dustin Levere and great-grandchildren Quinn, Lucas and Jonah Bennis, Marc and Cole Beckstead, Alek, Kamryn and Callam Larocque, Hannah Warren, Harrison Burke, Drew and Colin Minish.

She is survived by sisters-in-law Cora Byrd of Kemptville, Verna Levere of Cornwall and Edna Levere of Morrisburg and by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Clarence (1998), her infant son Reginald (1958), her grandson Devin Levere (November 2012), her sisters Gertie Christie, Elva Merkley, Grace Perry and her brothers Lloyd, John, Clayton and Sanford Byrd.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Tuesday, January 8th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Arlyce Schiebout officiating.

Verl was honoured by having all of her grandchildren participate in her funeral service.

Jo-Anne Minish played piano for the service. Todd Larocque sang a solo of Grandma’s favorite hymn “Where We’ll Never Grow Old”. Jo-Anne followed with a verse of this same hymn played on Verl’s harmonica.

Melanie Warren joined Todd and Jo-Anne to sing “Blessed Assurance” and “How Great Thou Art”.

Cindy Bennis and Leisa Beckstead each read one of her favorite poems “If I Had Known” and “A Bend in the Road”. Sara Warren placed a heart pin on grandma’s blouse.

Grandsons Dustin Levere, Todd Larocque, Jim Bennis, Ernie Beckstead, Wayne Minish and Patrick Burke were pallbearers.

Donations to Lakeshore Drive United Church or C.H.E.O. would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.

Spring interment will be at South Gower Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

[…]

Perspectives with Rev. George Frey

January 16, 2013 Editor

The Way We Live

The difference between the culture of God’s people, and the cultures of the world, must be clearly manifest. It is this clarity that allows for an informed choice, by those who would repent of their sin and turn in genuine faith to God for salvation.

If the difference is not clear the choice cannot be clear. The free will of man is not served by the unclearness of the issue. If men, being free moral agents, will be able to make a self obligating moral choice, they must understand the issue without ambiguity.

Therefore the Lord says, “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts: And let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:7-9

The forsaking of one’s way of thinking, and way of doing things, is a major decision. But it is the decision called for in both the Old and New Testaments. It is certain that man’s way of thinking and God’s way of thinking, concerning matters of righteousness, do not agree.

Notice that in God’s salvation appeal to the wicked and unrighteous, the forsaking of thoughts and ways, precedes the returning and receiving of mercy and abundant pardon.

This reminds me of a time that a young man came to me asking how he could be saved. I asked him if he was ready to repent of his sin and he assured me that he was a “pretty good person.”

But if one would attain to righteousness by his own efforts he must be perfect. Jesus admonishes us in the sermon on the mount, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

It seemed in the young man’s way of thinking, that in comparison with others he must surely qualify for God’s salvation. But according to Isaiah such thinking is to be forsaken, because by holding such thoughts one fails to “return unto the Lord,” continuing to trust in his own works for salvation.

But the bases for mercy and abundant pardon may not be found in the good works of men for Isaiah also says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; (Isaiah 64:6) Therefore we must look elsewhere for any righteousness we may attain to.

So we are thankful that Jesus Christ has come, living the perfect life before the Father, that we could not; and by sacrificing His life, that was not deserving of death, Jesus has provided eternal salvation for all who will put their trust in Him. In Jesus we find the mercy and abundant pardon of God. (Romans 6:17-23)

As Christians we must keep the issue clear, and openly demonstrate the difference Jesus Christ has made in our lives. The way we think, and what we do, must demonstrate the difference to be expected by one who returns to the Lord. We must manifest the clear and present choice that is before the free will of each person every day.

Rev. George T. Frey,

Faith Christian Center

Morrisburg

[…]

Lions give up second period lead, bow to Rebels

January 16, 2013 Editor

Once again the Morrisburg Junior B Lions were unable to hang on.

Holding the St. Lawrence Division’s second place Char-Lan Rebels to a 1-1 first period tie, here Friday night and then going up 2-1 in the second period, it again, fell apart for the Lions who settled for a 4-2 loss due to two unanswered third period goals.

The Rebels were first on the scoreboard with a Matthew Lapointe goal at 5:56 of the first period.

The Lions charged back and answered to tie the game with a power-play goal at 10:26 from Grant Cooper assisted by Drew Veenstra and Matthew Burns.

Just over five minutes into the second period, Michael Paquette struck to give the Lions a 2-1 lead and they held on to their advantage until well into the third period.

Assisting Paquette were Taylor Eamon and Drew Veenstra.

Then in the third, the Lions were holding their own when they were nabbed for a short-handed goal from the Rebels, Lawson MacDougall at 7:22 which tied it 2-2.

Just over one minute later Connor Primeau beat Lions goaltender Ryan Cooper to put them up 3-2 and that was it.

The Rebels got one more on their power play from former Lion Michel Lefebvre for their 4-2 win.

It was the 18th win of the season for the Rebels which they combined with a 6-3 win against Gananoque, Saturday night, to now trail the first place Casselman Rebels by nine points with the regular season quickly winding down.

The Rebels out shot the Lions by a slim 34-30 shots. Alex Boileau was in the net for their win.

The Rebels scored one power play goal in seven opportunities, while the Lions were good for one in their 13 chances.

In other St. Lawrence Division action, the Casselman Vikings defeated Brockville 4-3 and Athens 2-0. Saturday they were on Cornwall Island where they lost to the Akwesasne Wolves 5-3.

It was a big weekend for the Wolves who also knocked off the Rideau Division’s second place Westport Rideaus, 6-3.

With the Winchester Hawks losing both of their games, to Brockville 4-3 and Gananoque 6-4, the Wolves were able to take possession of the St. Lawrence Division’s third place spot, four points up on the Hawks who do have a game in hand.

[…]

Anita Gilmour at work at 2012 Olympic Games

January 16, 2013 Editor

“I was in awe most of the time. I think I took 900 pictures.”

Those are the words of Anita Gilmour of Iroquois who this past summer traveled to the 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London, England, as one of 1,100 Kraft employees worldwide who were selected as company ambassadors.

Gilmour, who works at Kraft Canada in Ingleside, explains that Kraft purchased the British candy maker Cadbury in 2010, and Cadbury was the official Treat Provider for the Games.

In the spring of 2011, Kraft rolled out a “would you like to be a Cadbury Hero” campaign to select employees who would travel to London and act as company ambassadors.

“You applied and you wrote a story of what it would mean to you to go to the Olympics,” says Gilmour. From applications from across Canada, the top 100 stories were picked. A lottery-type draw selected the final lucky 35 Canadian employees who would travel to London for the Olympic and Paralympic games.

Gilmour explains that three of us in Ingleside made the top 100, John Lascelle, Ian Cameron and myself. “It was a once in a lifetime thing. There were over 2,000 applications, so I knew if I could just make it to the top 100, I would have a good chance. It took me a whole Sunday afternoon to write my story.”

At a live feed, noon broadcast from Toronto, only Lascelle and Gilmour heard their names announced at the Ingleside Kraft plant. “I was drawn 27th and everyone went crazy. Right after they said my name, they announced John’s.

“That was in June of 2011, so I had a lot of time to stew.”

Following the selection process, “we had to go through the accreditation and all the security screening. We were prepared to work in sales and/or assisting with VIPs, and we did our training online before we went.”

A lot of people came up to me after and said ‘why didn’t I do it’. Actually that was what I was counting on…that a lot of them wouldn’t enter.”

“My London crew included 98 people. There were 14 Canadians and the rest were from all around the world, Russia, Spain, Paris, Ireland. They had all gone through the same process in their respective countries.”

“I was in London from August 5-12.”

Upon arrival in the city, Gilmour’s first night was at the five-star Hyatt on Liverpool Street where she got acquainted with her group. Their dorm-like accommodations were at Passfield Hall.

“I was scheduled to work for five days. I sold ice cream at a mobile and for my last two days I was at Olympic Stadium. On my very last day, I was selling ice cream in the stands. When a race was on, you sat down, so I actually got to see some of the events. I got to see Usain Bolt (three-time gold medalist for Jamaica at London 2012) run twice.”

Gilmour also saw some high jump, long jump, hurdles, 100m qualifying, and javelin heats. And of course the Olympic flame was housed at the stadium.

The 80,000 seat Olympic stadium was incredible says Gilmour. “When the roar of the crowd went up, it made the hair on the back of your neck stand up. It was amazing, all the noise and the colours. People there carrying their country’s colours. It was just unbelievable.”

While she enjoyed performing her responsibilities, Gilmour says she also enjoyed the opportunity to explore London in her off time. “I love history. Just to be somewhere that old was incredible.”

Scheduled to work only three to four hours on most of her five workdays, she recalls the beauty of Buckingham Palace, the excitement of the Horse Guard’s Parade, the majestic Admiralty Arch, a nighttime dinner cruise on the River Thames, speeding across the city on the Olympic Javelin, taking in London Live and Cadbury House at Hyde Park, the ride on a double-decker bus, seeing the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, Harrods Department Store and Canada House.

“Kraft went above and beyond to make this a lifetime experience for all of us. It was amazing. Everything was covered and organized. It wasn’t even what you would call work. I am so grateful to Kraft, for this wonderful experience.”

Gilmour says that in addition to being part of the Olympics and seeing London, it was a bonus to get to meet and develop friendships with fellow Kraft employees from around the world. “It was amazing to meet all these people. We are all different but we are all the same too.”

As for her time at the Olympics, she says, “it was the energy of it, the colour and the sounds,” that have left a lasting impression.

“Cadbury in England is huge. I had people wanting to buy my pins, my coat or to have my picture taken with them. The Cadbury brand is held in very high regard.”

Gilmour admits she has always loved chocolate and now has a special appreciation of all things Cadbury chocolate. “It’s the best chocolate in the world.”

As for another Olympics…Gilmour advises, “if you can go, go…just to be part of something so big was amazing.

“On my bucket list is Rio de Janeiro and that is where the next Olympics (2016) is!” So who knows.

[…]

Anna Cornelia Maria Wynands

January 9, 2013 Editor

Anna Cornelia Maria Wynands, 92, of Iroquois, passed into eternal life suddenly on Sunday, December 2, 2012, at Winchester District Memorial Hospital.

Anna was born in Amsterdam on June 8, 1920, to the late Eeltje and Catherina vanBakelen. She married Jan Feddema on January 27th, 1949, and together they immigrated to Calgary in January 1953. Anna was widowed in April 1953.

The following year, she moved with her three children to Cardinal, Ontario, where she married Johan Gerhard “Gerald” Wynands on May 23rd, 1959. Anna and Gerald lived and farmed in Cardinal for 28 years before retiring to Iroquois.

Anna and Gerald had two more children together, and made their farm an oasis of hospitality, welcoming with open arms, not only visitors from Calgary and the Netherlands, but also a dozen foster children.

In 1982, Anna and Gerald were honoured for 15 years as foster parents.

Whether children or houseplants, everything and everyone Anna touched seemed to thrive under her care. She enjoyed the company of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and took a lively, sympathetic and cheerful interest in the joys and trials of all her extended family. She had a quick sense of humour and the ability to find a smile in every circumstance.

Anna was continually sewing, knitting and crafting for her family and friends. Visitors never left her home without some evidence of her generosity and skill.

Each family birthday or holiday was marked by the arrival of one of her handcrafted, hand written cards, and she enjoyed corresponding with distant friends and family.

Anna was a long-time member of the Catholic Women’s League and an active member of St. Cecilia Church in Iroquois. She will be sorely missed by her friends there as well as those in her crafting group and in her community.

Anna is survived by her husband, Gerald, and her children, Trudy (Bill) Whittaker of Lyndhurst, Adrian (Carol) of North Augusta, Edward (Janet) of Lyn, Maria (Gary) Ferguson of Jasper, John (Dawn) of Cardinal, and by her brother Cor (Allie) vanBakelen of Amsterdam, Holland.

She is fondly remembered by 22 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Anna is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, in both Holland and Canada.

Friends called at the Marsden McLaughlin Funeral Home in Iroquois on Thursday, December 6, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Mass of the Christian Burial took place in St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church in Iroquois, on Friday, December 7, at 11:30 a.m.

Donations to St. Cecilia’s Church or Winchester Hospital would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.

Interment took place at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Cardinal. Pall bearers were six of her grandchildren, Richard Whittaker, Christina, Ryan and John Wynands, and Thomas and Nicole Ferguson.

Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com

[…]