John William Merkley

r the past 42 years, Margo vander Poel passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Thursday, August 30, 2012.  She was 79.

Margo was born in Wormerveer, in the Netherlands to her parents Dora and Kees Hoek.  After enduring the hardships of World War II, her family immigrated to Canada in the spring of 1949, their ship landing in Montreal.

They lived for a short time in Magog, Quebec before moving to Macdonald College in St. Anne de Bellevue. While there, Margo trained as a Registered Nursing Assistant at the Royal Victoria Hospital. For a brief period she worked at the Veteran’s Hospital in Montreal. She spent many years working at Lakeshore General Hospital. 

While living at Macdonald College, she met Job and following a short courtship, they married on July 3, 1954. Their first child, Jackie, arrived in 1955, with Kathy, Peter and Brenda following over the next nine years.

In the winter of 1970, Margo and Job decided to move their family to a farm in Ontario. From field work to the birthing of a calf, Margo supported Job in all aspects of the farm. Through their hard work and dedication, they made the farm flourish. 

Upon retirement, Margo and Job spent many winters in Florida, ever widening their group of friends and enjoying the Florida sunshine, a real break from our Canadian winters.  

Her dedication to family made her an exemplary role model. The quality of character and the trueness of the hearts of her children, Jackie, Kathy, Peter and Brenda are proof of that.  She was dedicated to them.  

Margo was blessed with 11 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and one on the way. She loved them all dearly and was proud of each one of them. 

Margo and Job had a wide circle of friends. Over the years, they’ve managed to keep in contact with many fellow immigrants and have met others since moving to this area. 

Enjoying an active social life, Margo and Job have spent countless hours with their bowling group and card playing friends.  Margo was also part of a ladies club called the “Stitch and Bitch”. She enjoyed these ladies’ fellowship and creativity for more than 30 years.

Coming from an artistic family, Margo was a true artisan herself.  Margo did quilting, rug hooking, crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, cross stitch, and bobbin lace. In the last few years she spent much of her time creating beautiful pieces and leaving the family with wonderful mementos they will continue to cherish.

Margo’s efforts were not only to be enjoyed by her family.  She has made baby quilts that have been sent to Kenya. She has knitted countless toques for premature babies.  She has crocheted plastic sleep mats from milk bags for the needy in other countries.  She has knitted bed jackets and lap blankets for seniors in our area.

She had a wide variety of interests. She loved nature, the garden, and the beach. She enjoyed all classical music. She was an avid bird watcher. Her home was never without a pet to spoil.  She liked various types of puzzles.  She enjoyed watching golf and curling on TV.

Margo and Job were also well travelled. They have been to the east and west coast of Canada, Florida, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Hawaii.

Margo frequently marvelled at all the opportunity this country had given her and was so grateful for it. She was very proud to be a Canadian.

Margo is survived by her husband of 58 years, Job, her children Jackie (Glenn) Merkley of Cardinal, Kathy (Dean) Parlee of Kanata, Peter (Karen) vander Poel of Iroquois and Brenda (Bob) Seely of Kemptville.  

She was much loved Oma to David Merkley (Terra), Robyn Delaney (Ian), Erin Merkley (Tory), Thomas and Laura Parlee, Benjamin, Colin, Evan and Jill vander Poel, Matthew and Lindsey Seely and her darling great-grandson Nicholas Merkley.  

She is survived by her sisters Dora Zwart and Corie Robinson and sister-in-law Monica Hoek.  and will be fondly remembered by many sisters and brothers-in-law in Holland and by many nieces and nephews

She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Wybrand Hoek.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church in Iroquois, on Monday, September 3rd at 11 a.m. with Father Chisholm officiating.  Internment followed at Iroquois Point Cemetery.  

Pallbearers were grandsons David Merkley, Colin vander Poel, Matthew Seely and Thomas Parlee. 

Donations to Winchester Hospital or the Cancer Society would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.  Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.ca.

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A lifetime resident of Morrisburg Nelson Julien passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 9, 2016. He was 63. Nelson was born in Winchester on July 27, 1953, to his parents Albert and Shirley […]

 

George Baker, a longtime resident of Morrisburg, passed away peacefully at Dundas Manor, Winchester on Wednesday, May 23, 2012. He was in his 96th year.  

George was born on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory outside Belleville and shared early life with a sister Mary and a brother Jack. On the death of their mother, they were adopted by separate families and were reunited later in life. 

George was adopted by William Samuel Baker and Ethel Mae (nee Browe) Baker in the Aultsville area.  

It was there he met and married Violet Shaver on April 8, 1948, in Williamsburg.  George and Violet loved each other dearly and spent little time apart.  They were very supportive parents to sons Ken and Garth and his family. 

Although tough times in the 30’s made it impossible for George to continue in school, he had the personal drive to become a self educated man.  He did well under the tutoring of Violet, first to get his license and later to take the examination to become a TV repairman.  George worked at RCA in Prescott and with hydro during the construction of the Seaway.  Even in retirement he pumped gas at the garage.  

George was an agile athletic person who loved to tell stories of how he played hockey with Sears catalogues for knee pads.  He enjoyed fishing, playing darts and bowling.  His trophy case was filled with recognition of these achievements.  

Remaining active in later years, he and Violet played shuffleboard and organized the competition for the Ontario Senior Games when they were held in Morrisburg.  

George was a member of Lakeshore Drive United Church.  Those who knew George would remark about his sense of humour, his light heartedness and that twinkle and wave.  He cared deeply for his family, worked hard and enjoyed the simple, most precious aspects of life.

George was predeceased by his wife Violet (Shaver) Baker (2010). He leaves to mourn his sons Ken of Cornwall and Garth (Faye) of Morrisburg, his grandchild Jennifer (Mark Elson) Baker of Pickering and his great-grandchild Benjamin Collins of Pickering.  He was predeceased by his sister Mary Wood and brother Jack Flewell. 

Friends were received at the Parker Funeral Home, in Morrisburg on Friday May 25, 2012. The funeral service was held in the chapel. 

Pallbearers were Wayne Hutt, Dale Hutt, Mark Elson, Ricky Shaver, Randy Shaver and Brad Shaver.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Mariatown.  Memorial donations to Winchester Hospital would be gratefully acknowledged.  Condolences and donations may be made at www.parkerofmorrisburg.com

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