We also welcomed three new members to our branch!

Cathy loved the community that she was a key part of, and shared her energy with many community groups including Queen St Baptist Church.  In retirement Cathy found her work at the Child Advocacy Center Niagara particularity rewarding. She was committed to supporting their work with children and youth who are the victims of physical and/or sexual abuse.  In Cathy’s memory, the Center has created a fund that will support a new children’s program that utilizes art therapy as part of the healing process.  Anyone who wishes to learn more about the center can find information at www.kristenfrenchcacn.org.  Donations to “Cathy’s Kids” will be accepted by calling or mailing donations directly with the center.  This fund will be set up later this week to accept donations through the Center’s website.

Claire Cameron     1925-2017

Claire passed away peacefully on September 4, 2017 at the age of 92 at Niagara Gardens in St.Catharines. Claire Cameron was born in Merritton, Ontario in 1925 and was a respected educator and loved by many in the Niagara area. Claire began her thirty-seven year career as an elementary school teacher in 1943 with the Lincoln County Board of Education, teaching mostly at Virgil Public School and Port Weller Public School, before retiring in 1980. Claire was an active member of the Elm Street United Church in Merritton and enjoyed her walks around town. Claire loved to travel the world with her close friend Lois Eplett (2015) and visited many places like the United Kingdom, Spain, Florida and Hawaii. Family was very important to Claire, always spending Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving holidays with her brother John (Bud) and his family in Brampton. Claire will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by family; her sister-in-law Colleen – Leslie Turner – Cameron of Brampton, her niece Helen Cheryl Cameron (Stephen Smith) of Ajax and her nephew David Allan Cameron (Dr. Jeff Kemp) of Guelph. Claire will be eternally reunited with her mother Bessie Bradley Cameron (1956) and father David Allan Cameron (1960) and also with her brother John Maxwell Cameron (2005). She is also survived by her Godson Glen Woodhouse. Friends will be received at the BOCCHINFUSO FUNERAL HOME, 2 Regent Street, Thorold, from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, September 7, 2017, followed by a Funeral Service in the chapel at 1:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region. The family wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to the staff of Niagara Gardens for the amazing care that Claire received while living there. 

Barbara Mekbeb

Mekbeb, Barbara ~ Passed away suddenly on Friday,September 22, 2017 at the age of seventy- seven.

Kathleen Fritz- February 24, 1916-July 19, 2017

Following graduation from Listowel High School, Kathleen tried a couple of occupations, but neither appealed as a lifetime endeavour and so following her mother’s suggestion she enrolled in Stratford Normal school. For her first teaching assignment, Kathleen taught mostly Amish children in a rural school near Milverton. She was paid $600.00 for the year and for the second year, $700.00. Here is one vivid memory from those early days. “One of the girls came to my school with what was whooping cough. I had to tell her that she could not attend class. When her baby sister dies of it, the couple with whom I boarded took me to the home to pay our respects. As we drove in the lane, we saw the grandfather making the coffin. It was so difficult to meet the parents and see their beautiful little lying on a table.” As her career progress, Kathleen acquired additional qualifications in Kindergarten- Primary, Speech, and university level courses. She even qualified as a radio broadcaster at Queen’s University, which she found to be so useful in English classes and speaking. And then too, she studied Bible courses at McMaster, useful also for the then prescribed course of study in Grade Eight. Her career has taken her to many different places and situation. In the Stratford area, Kathleen was hired to teach children with learning difficulties, where she also did IQ testing in the elementary schools. After the class class was disbanded she went to Ann Hathaway School for 3 years. After this she taught in Leaside for 8 years. Then Kathleen was married and she and her husband moved to St, Catharines, where she taught for 21 years in different schools before retiring in 1972. While summing up her teaching career, Kathleen points out that her thirty-five years of teaching, provided experiences in all grades, from Kindergarten to Grade 8 in a Senior School, She states I was fortunate to have special music supervisors in all my years and most principals who were great leaders. Did she have any famous or special students who stood out? Kathleen states, “I like all children and all were special.”  And what of Kathleen’s outside interests, beyond teaching? She worked as a volunteer, including with the Red Cross at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto and Meals-on-Wheels. She enjoys Community Concerts, is an active member of the United Church and visited the elderly. Asked for what advice she would give to teachers just starting out in the profession today, Kathleen states “Respect-that starts with self-respect.” FRITZ, Kathleen – Kathleen Fritz (nee Beacom) of Brooklin, Ontario formerly of St. Catharines, passed away peacefully at Deer Run Retirement Home, Claremont on July 19th, 2017. Kathleen enjoyed a 35 year teaching career, the last 22 years in the St. Catharines area. Born in Mount Forest on February 24, 1916 Kay was in her 102nd year. She was the beloved wife of the late Elgin Fritz who predeceased her in 1988. She will be sadly missed by her niece Hope Fennell and husband Ron, their children Maeghan & Mike Rohwer and daughter Ava, and John & Christie Fennell and son Carter. Kathleen will be remembered by her nephews and nieces Gardiner (Joan) Beacom, Janet (Glen) Smyth, Betty (Paul) Thornton and Kirk (Delilah) Beacom. She is predeceased by her nephew Karl Beacom but will be fondly remembered by his wife Jackie and their children. Kathleen is predeceased by her parents Dr. George and Minnie Beacom as well as brothers Jack, Roy and Bill. A memorial Celebration of Life service will be held at the Court at Brooklin, 5909 Anderson Street N. Brooklin on Saturday, July 29th at 3:00 p.m. where Kathleen lived for the last 14 years. Messages of condolence and shared memories can be left for the family by visiting www.barnesmemorialfuneralhome.com What does the Lord require of you: Seek Justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 13195926

JOHNSTON, Jean Marilyn (nee Stapleton), U.E. 

December 24, 1936- July 14,2017

Jean was born in Welland, Ontario, and raised in Hamilton. She is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Murray, as well as many much-loved nieces and nephews. Jean also leaves dear friends, Joan Martin of Smithville, Rose and Ralph Carty of Hamilton, Anja Jokela of St. Catharines, and Irene and Ken Kadonaga of Cambridge, Ontario, as well as many highly regarded colleagues in the Retired Women Teachers’ Association of St. Catharines. Jean was predeceased by her mother Marietta Stapleton (Clement), father Leslie Stapleton and four older Stapleton brothers, Douglas, John, Lloyd and Bruce. Jean attended Westdale Secondary School in Hamilton, graduating from there and then Hamilton Teachers’ College. She taught for 35 years, finishing her career in St. Catharines and, upon retiring, was awarded Honorary Life Membership in the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario. While teaching, Jean ran for public office in St. Catharines and was elected as Alderman for Grantham ward for two terms. She served on a number of local boards and commissions, as well as provincially. Jean was a member of the Col. John Butler Branch of the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada and was proud of her family’s military service to Canada. Three great grandfathers, Lewis Coles Clement, Adam Crysler, and James Clement fought as Butler’s Rangers in the American War of Independence and James also served in the War of 1812. Jean’s father served in the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in the First World War, and her brother Douglas was killed during the Second World War while training to become a fighter pilot. Jean was appreciative of the care she received from Sandra’s Home Health Care and the doctors and nurses at St. Catharines General Hospital. Thanks to all the friends and neighbours who called and visited, and who sent cards, flowers, and messages of support while Jean was in hospital. Special thanks and love to Rebecca Thornborrow and Russell Johnston for their thoughtfulness and caring love. Visitation will be held at Pleasantview Funeral Home, 2000 Merrittville Hwy, Thorold, (289)650-1730 on Thursday, July 20th from 6:00-9:00 pm, and Friday July 21st from 10:00-11:00 am. A Celebration of Jean’s life will be held in the Pleasantview Chapel on Friday July 21st, 11:00 am, to be followed by interment at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens. In accordance with Jean’s wishes cremation has already taken place. In lieu of flowers, please honour Jean’s memory with donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Society of Canada, the CNIB, or The Salvation Army.