Deaths

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http://web.archive.org/web/20200131141221/http://arthritistrust.org/history/

Peacefully at Victoria House, Orillia, on January 11, 2007, in her 97th year. Married in 1934, beloved wife of the late Clarence Henry; sister of the late Doris Kennedy of Calgary. Loving mother of Dr. Gail Alexander Madell of Orillia, Bruce (Andrea) of Toronto, John (Elfriede) of Burks Falls, David (Judy) of Sudbury, Rick of Huntsville. Proud grandmother of Andrew (Kim), Bob, Dan Madell of Kimberley; Matt (Alesia) and Mark of Sudbury and Pam Alexander of Mississauga; Christopher Alexander in Kabul, Afghanistan. Joyous great grandmother of Sophie, in her 2nd year. A memorial service and reception will be held at the Doolittle-Carson Funeral Home, 54 Coldwater St. East, Orillia, on Saturday, January 27/07, 2 pm. Last summer, Ruth presided at the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Bingham's Bay on Lake Cecebe, her life long summer home. Next summer, a celebration of her life will he held at that place. Born 1910 in Paris ON to Rev. Herbert Henry and Mabel Bingham, then to the parsonages at Talbot Street Baptist in London, First Baptist in Calgary and Walmer Road Baptist in Toronto. On to Brandon College and the life long friendship of Tommy Douglas, Stanley Knowles and the other members of the Class of '30. While Tommy boxed and Stanley talked, Ruth toured with the women's hockey team playing exhibition games prior to the men and drawing a bigger crowd. Taught physical education at Delta Collegiate, Hamilton, and began an illustrious athletic career: member of the Lakeside Ladies, national champion Toronto women's basketball team; singles tennis champion Mount Royal Tennis Club; competitive curler; consistent winner of the all-comer backyard free throw competitions; the fastest in or on the water; constant coach of family, friends and, often, innocent bystanders. Ruth was a community activist: school board trustee, hospital trustee, home and school president - perennial volunteer, often taking the lead. Ruth and Clare's drop-in centre home was constantly in use for meetings, parties, reunions, conversation and friendship. Membership in the extended family was valid for life. The Alexander family lived in Montreal, Toronto (Burnside Drive), and Oakville (Watson Avenue). Retired to Horseshoe Valley Road and Orillia. In every setting Ruth was a commanding presence: engaged, gregarious, enthusiastic, empowering. Her smile, her laughter, her invitation to the game, remain.

January 12th, 2007, in the afternoon. We extend our prayers to the entire McRae family at this time of great loss. A memorial service will be held in Sarnia, Ontario Saturday February 03, 2007. McRae - Margaret Evelyn (Lovett) - RN November 24, 1909 - January 12, 2007, 97 years, passed away at Sumac Lodge, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. Born in Paris, Ontario, daughter of the late Alpheus Lovett, MD, and Florence Bingham Lovett, RN. Margaret was a graduate of Wellesley Hospital School of Nursing (1932). She was employed with International Petroleum in Talara, Peru, where she met and married Alex D. McRae of London, Ontario in 1937. They moved to Sarnia in 1938. Margaret enjoyed all her nursing experiences (except private duty during the depression). In Sarnia, she worked part time in the nursery at the brand new St. Joseph's Hospital, and was later employed as industrial nurse at Imperial Oil. After receiving her Diploma in Public Health from the University of Western Ontario (1964), she worked in Public Health in Lambton county until her retirement. Marg loved the new babies she visited and their families, the children in the schools and all the friends she made on her rounds. She was a member of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario. While raising her family, Marg was president of the board of the YMCA, Secretary of the Sarnia General Hospital Board, wrote a social column (as summer relief) for the Windsor Star, fund raised for the Girl Guide camp, was a member of the IODE and co-founded a successful investment club. After retirement, she was on the Lambton Advisory Board for Seniors, a 10 year driver for the Cancer Society and a volunteer at the Sarnia General. She has long been a member and volunteer at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Margaret's bridge club friends were a delight and support to her - always. She has been a passionate supporter of the Maple Leafs - through all their ups and down. Her generous and forgiving spirit has been an inspiration. She is lovingly remembered by her family: Judy and Mac MacDonald, Janet and Henry Regis of Uxbridge, Susan Merrill of Newmarket; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Janet and Mick Varsava (Joel, Adam), John and Valerie MacDonald (William), Elizabeth and Lee Fraser (Jillian, Eric), Geoff MacDonald, Mark, Michael and Quinn Regis, Brian, Christina and Dan and Melissa Merrill (Emily); her sister-in-law, Audrey Lovett and her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Alex (1962), and by her siblings, Alpheus Lovett (1996), Patricia Toothe (2003) and Judith Pearson (2004). Friends may make a memorial donation to St. Andrew's Church, 261 N. Christina St., Sarnia, N7T 5V4 or the charity of your choice. Memorial Service - Saturday, February 3, at 1.00 pm at St. Andrew's Church, Sarnia. Visitation prior to service, 12.00 to 1.00 pm. Interment - Hillsdale Cemetery, Petrolia. Arrangements by Stewart Funeral Home, Memories and messages: condolences@stewartfuneralhome.ca

Wife of D. Morris, the original owners of the gas bar and grocery store at Port Carmen.

June 09, 2007. John Stuart Alexander B.A. LL.B. Q.C. Visitation June 21st, 2007 2:00 to 4:00, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Worsley Street Chapel Service June 22nd, 2007 1:00 p.m. Collier Street United Church, Barrie ALEXANDER John Stuart (B.A., LL.B., Q.C.) Died peacefully in Barrie, on June 9th, 2007. Born in Toronto 1941, son of the late Ruth and Clare Alexander. Beloved husband of Elfriede. Sorely missed by his extended family. Son-in-law of Anna Straub and the late Herbert, brother-in-law of Ursula McNeil/Gower (Richard) of Creemore. Brother of Dr. Gail Alexander Madell of Orillia, Bruce (Andrea) of Toronto, David (Judy) of Sudbury, and Rick of Huntsville. Much admired uncle of Taylor and Brandon McNeil of Creemore, Andrew (Kim), Bob, and Dan Madell of Kimberley, B.C., Matt (Alesia) and Mark of Sudbury, Pam Alexander of Toronto, and Chris Alexander of Kabul, Afghanistan. Great uncle of Sophie of Sudbury. Attended Oakville Trafalgar High School and Queen’s University. Called to the Bar of Ontario 1969, Crown Attorney for Simcoe County 1984 to 2004. Recently retired to cottage country. Member of the Mad River Golf Club and active in Old Timers’ Hockey. John will be remembered for his zest for life and his utmost devotion to family and friends. His life’s work was the pursuit of fairness in the criminal justice system. His passions included skiing, golf, windsurfing, water skiing, hockey, and tennis. John considered each day a blessing and his positive nature did not abandon him during his most difficult illness. He is an inspiration to us all. Friends may call at the STECKLEY-GOODERHAM Funeral Home (Clapperton and Worsley Streets) Barrie, on Thursday, June 21st from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held from Collier Street United Church, 112 Collier Street, Barrie, on Friday, June 22nd, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. The Alexander and Straub families express sincere thanks for the care given to our John by the medical teams at the Princess Margaret Hospital (Toronto) and the Royal Victoria Hospital (Barrie). Memorial donations in John’s memory may be made to Hospice Simcoe. Condolences may be forwarded through www.steckleygooderham.com

John was born in Toronto in 1941 his wife Elfriede A.K.A. “ Elfie” attentively at his side when he died peacefully in Barrie on June 9th, 2007 of cancer after some months of treatment. Queens was his university and law school with his call to the bar in 1969. After 36 years in the crown’s office he had just retired to the family lake. In the legal world John’s antecedents. How did I know thee? It is difficult to give a tribute without unfortunately relating how the author personally related to the individual so I apologize now. John I knew as a friend, a confidant, a lawyer colleague, a neighbor for fence building, BBQ chats, window washing with his secret liquid wash and snow clearing, an adversary in court, an adversary in sports, a fellow jock, a person who respected the law, (except for the case of beer in the hockey dressing room), a person with a good sense of humor, a respect for old fashion values in his personal life, legal and sports inherited from his religious ancestors. His respect for the law produced interesting results. One evening on Kempenfelt Dr. he returning from the lakeshore confessed to me he was too much a crown attorney. He had just waved in a water ski boat without a lookout. He informed them who he was, the law, the need for a lookout to which the young individuals told him to F.O. He would yell vigorously at automobiles driving the wrong way on Kempenfelt Dr. He even went so far as to personally move a one-way sign from one post closer to the intersection hoping it would end the one way transgressors. When he reported the number of wrong way drivers to the city the street was soon festooned with yellow hatch marks not to Elfie’s fashion eye. His meetings with criminals got him both punched out and saluted. I got the first dose of John’s humor by telephone when he worked at a law firm in Parry Sound providing a hardy laugh at my request to assist on a cottage purchase it being the summer months. Shortly after he became an a member of the crown attorney's office with a group of senior lawyer's of the Greatest Generation from the second world war eventually to become The Crown Attorney an appointment I did when I was in government. He did not disappoint me and I might add nor have any of the other appointments I did. I can add though John’s humor was displayed more again as I found in my hockey bag a large wad of the imitation money as a pay-off. I can attest John was very proud of what he described the largest law firm in the county which has included many graduates to the judicial bench as well as initiating many novel procedures in law. John always a strikingly tall handsome figure in court presented his arguments fairly meticulously and worthy of his recognition by the Attorney General and other crown offices. Many of us met John more frequently as an adversary in court and later only in his administrative capacity as The Crown Attorney or cafeteria serving. Although this will be read mostly by lawyers a greater relationship with John by many was outside the court room. He was teased frequently by many which he accepted humorously and in the good nature that it was intended. But he gave us such lob balls to work with. Who would drive half way across the US to get an electric boat for the lake with a surrey fringe to take martini cruises? Many lawyers and police assisted this handyman with building his house at Horseshoe Valley but many played sports with him. I'm sure his love of sports came from his family as any time the family got together there were always games with his mother leading the four brothers and a sister in competitive games, the cottage water follies or the neighbourhood horseshoe tournament he instigated on Kempenfelt Dr. John’s love of sports was passionately endless: tennis (making his own court), champion water skier, rugby, skiing, windsurfing, golf, hockey, baseball at Camp Hendrie, horseshoes. If he wasn't participating he had the TV remote close at hand watching. He was one of the few individuals that you could discuss lesser sporting events, the Vanier cup, the Minto cup, the Memorial cup, any other challenging sporting event that was ongoing even the Salmonbellies or his teasing me when Queens beat McMaster only to say it was not like the old days when I played with Russ Jackson. In Old-Timers Hockey he went through the era of Philadelphia, Edmonton and Boston sweaters, unfortunately never the Leaf sweaters. Carrying the nick- name “Big Bird” bending over a pile of players’ sticks at Thursday night hockey he sent them flying in each direction as his way of picking up sides for the evening game of hockey. There was always a suspicion he was memorizing player sticks to stack his team as he always had a desire to win. He would frequently hold his fingers up about six inches apart saying he was that far short of making the NHL. He would then qualify it indicating it was his height that kept him out not his skills. I always thought when he headed up the ice with the puck that his mind was reciting the boyish street hockey play by play conversation. Winning was not always possible as when he returned from his many golf games only to admit his best friend Elfie had defeated him only to head across to the grass patch and drive some golf balls into the lake only to be teased about the Seinfeld environmental hazard. The memories of John are many some personal to each of us be they his desire to win, to succeed, to be happy, to have fun, to have humor, to enjoy life, build a neighbour’s fence, build a house, build fireplaces, retire to golf, organizing events, play our wives left-handed in tennis, obtain but keep the original pair of plastic Lange skates, taking his nephews canoeing, inquire about my sons’ sports activities, race across Queen’s Park after tennis, watch him windsurf, dressed fashionably but his tie undone, his presence in the cafeteria, debate/ law to telling Eddie Mayhew to remove his shoes on entering the house after tennis he gave all of us big memories. In life there is death but the latter frequently comes too soon but the memories abound. One intriguing sport debate John I am sure will soon resume with the late judge Gordon McTurk will be did a crown summer student play hockey in an east coast league under an assumed name.

In life, there is death. Sounds trite and true, at the same time. But, death leaves us often angry, often sad, and sometimes in awe. When John Alexander died in Barrie two weeks ago, the effect rippled through this community. John’s life touched thousands of people. His death was premature. And those who knew John expressed awe at his life. John Alexander drove through Barrie for most of his life as his family headed north from Oakville to the family cottage on Lake Cecebe. As a cottage kid. he got to know a lot of town kids in Huntsville. When his brother started dating a town kid, John’s social circle grew. He became like one of the gang during the summer months. When he graduated from Oakville Trafalgar High School, he headed to Queen’s University, along with his best Huntsville friend, Dave Lough. Dave went into medicine; John went into law. He was called to the Bar in 1969 and arrived in Barrie to work for Crown Attorney John Murphy. John’s wife Elfie gained employment as a legal secretary in Bruce Owen’s law firm and Donna Hamilton joined the firm shortly after. John Alexander’s longtime Huntsville buddy, Rob Hamilton, had moved into business in Barrie and it was logical the two couples would grow a sturdy friendship. John plied his legal knowledge in the Crown attorney’s office for 14 years before becoming Crown as John Murphy retired. He gave another 20 years to the office before giving way to retirement himself. John exemplified ‘care’ in its finest sense. It was up to him to know all points of law. It was up to him to have sturdy, respectful relationships with literally thousands of police officers, from 17 different police jurisdictions. His territory was broad and his commitment was unparalleled. What did John give to this community? Stability. He give us law, order, justice. He gave us honesty, truthfulness. He gave his office the dignity it deserved. And he was a human being in the hockey change room. He balanced the community’s need for fair representation with his own love of living his life. John Alexander didn’t waste a single minute. He excelled at virtually every sport he touched: hockey (a huge love), tennis, golf, skiing, sail boarding, horseshoes. Horseshoes? Yes! He mobilized his Kempenfelt Drive community in a neighbourhood horseshoe tournament. He was actually Canadian Junior Water-ski Champion in 1955/56. He loved to use his body to its physical maximum. He used his brain in the same way. John and Elfie rejoiced at becoming Great Uncle John and Great Aunt Elfie. And they built their own cottage close to the family compound on Lake Cecebe. As John retired in 2004, Rob Hamilton called on his lifelong friend to conduct his swearing-in ceremony when he became mayor of Barrie. Teammates on an old-timers'’ team, the two played hockey regularly with several lawyers, some policemen, and the business guys like Rob. It meant a lot to have John conduct that ceremony. What can you say about a life lived well? That he was a great guy? That he was a good person? You can use all those superlatives with John and they’re true. Everybody liked him and everybody respected him. He was a fair, honest guy. He had just two years of his retirement plan ... summers at the cottage, winters in North Carolina. A persistent sore throat brought him back from the south and he was diagnosed in January with cancer at he base of his tongue. Radiation proved unsuccessful. John faced this with the same serene grace that he gave to every thing When he died on June 9, many smiled at the thought of John meeting up with Barrie’s famous Judge Gord Mc-Turk, up there in some celestial court- room. Thanks, John.

Donna Douglas is a Barrie writer. You can reach her at donna@donniiduuglas.c& ‘in.

Hi Judy and Mac Just a short note to tell you that Dave passed away on Wednesday. In the last months since his hip surgery he slowly declined. The breaking of the hip for the second time and a second surgery made him very weak. We visited him that day and had a wonderful conversation. We will miss him very much but at ninety five and being sick it was time. Hope all is well with you. As soon as we get sorted out we will be up at the lake. Hope to see you there. Would you please let the members of your family know.

Elson, John Frederick May 9, 1944 - June 2, 2009 Peacefully at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, surrounded by his family. John will be missed by his wife Cynthia (nee Lovett), children Christine and Jim, sister Elizabeth, his extended family and friends. John will be best remembered for his good natured charm, relaxed manner, and his love of the cottage. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME - A.W. MILES CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 5. If desired, donations in his name can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Diabetes Foundation or the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com

THURSDAY JULY 16, 2009 LOVETT, Audrey Belle (nee Lees) Passed away peacefully on July 15, 2009 at home at the age of 95. Beloved wife of the late Alpheus Bingham Lovett. Loving mother of Cynthia Lees (and the late John Elson), Ann Bingham Lovett (and the late Anastasios Politis) and Mary Elizabeth Lovett (and Jack Gibbons). Cherished Granny of Margaret Christine and James Laurence Elson and Clare Lovett and Nadia Lees Gibbons. She will be missed by her sister-in-law Angela Lees and her niece Mary Patricia Lees and is predeceased by her brothers. Audrey loved and cared for everyone who touched her life, and was a very special woman. Loved by many family members and friends, her life-long friend Aunt Roddy Thomson, and caregivers. Friends may call on Friday, July 17, 2009 from 2:30 p.m. until time of service at 3:00 p.m. at the R.S. Kane Funeral Home (6150 Yonge Street, at Goulding, south of Steeles). Cremation. Interment will follow at a later date in Paris, Ontario. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Voice for Hearing Impaired Children 701-161 Eglinton Avenue East Toronto, Ontario M4P 1J5.

Mary Elizabeth Bingham Fulton, died on Thursday, December 23, 2010, at the age of 94, at Good Samaritan Home, Stillwater, Minnesota, where she had lived the past year.

“Betty Fulton” as she was known by both family and friends was born in Boulder, Colorado, in 1916. She lived in Denver for most of her early life, with the exception of three years during her elementary school years, when she lived in Puebla, Mexico where her father practiced medicine at a missionary hospital.

She graduated from East High, and from Colorado Women’s College, Denver. She received her B.A. in journalism from the University of Wyoming, Laramie in 1938. She met Ben Fulton at Grand Lake, Colorado, a civil engineer for the United States Bureau of Reclamation. After marriage, i they moved to South Dakota where her husband helped develop Deerfield and Pactola Dams. Betty wrote for the Hot Springs Star, and for other news organizations, including the Associated Press. They then moved to Billings, where Ben continued working for the USBR working on dam projects in Wyoming and Montana. Betty worked for IDS in Billings, and then became church administrator for the First Baptist Church in Billings, serving under Dr. R. H. Moorman, Dr. Henry Coulter, and Pastor Dallas French.

She belonged to the Billings branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women), First Baptist Church and Order of the Eastern Star. She was president of the PTA in Lockwood where her three children attended school. Ben Fulton served on the school board for Lockwood, and engineered the Lockwood Water System. Betty started Brownies in Lockwood, serving as leader and co-leader, and continuing a Girl Scout troop. Betty, a trained soprano, could play piano by ear. She sang in the choir of First Baptist and participated in community sings of Handel’s Messiah.

Betty and Ben retired in 1967, spending four months driving a VW camper across Europe from Oslo to Athens. They made many trips camping across Mexico, and Central America, all the way to the Panama Canal and back, and through all states and Canadian provinces. They both loved to dance and square danced across the country, getting great exercise and meeting new friends.

They moved to Belen, New Mexico in 1975, and Ben passed away in 1977. Betty continued to camp across the country visiting old friends and relatives. Trips took her to Hawaii, the Middle East, and Australia. She moved to Desert Hot Springs in 1983, living in Mission Lakes Country Club for the next 25 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Desert Hot Springs, and helped her brother, Dr. Robert Bingham, an orthopedic surgeon, specializing in arthritis treatment, write for journals and his book, “Fight Back against Arthritis.”

At the age of 91, she moved to Minnesota where her daughter Marjorie lives. She is predeceased by her husband, Ben B. Fulton, parents, Dr. and Mrs. William J. Bingham (Francis Rice) of Denver, r brothers and their wives, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Bingham (Charlotte Martin) of Desert Hot Springs, and Mr. and Mrs. David Bingham (Jean McGuire) of Burbank, Ca, and her sister, Bobby Andersen of Desert Hot Springs. She is survived by her children, Dr. Ben E. Fulton of Park City, Utah and Evanston, Wyoming, Robert Fulton, Colorado, daughter Marjorie F. Williams and husband Todd, of Lake Elmo, Minnesota. She is survived by 5 grandchildren, Ben E. Fulton and wife Anya and daughter Alice of Salt Lake City, John W. Fulton and wife Eve Sorum and daughter Zoe of Boston, Anna Royer of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Alexandra Fulton of Los Angeles, and by Roger Williams and wife April and son Robert of Stillwater, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held in midsummer in Hayden, Colorado. Family and friends will gather to celebrate her wonderful and unique life. She was a very hard working woman, determined, intelligent, and yet very kind and generous to friends and family.

Rita Bingham

Died at 92 years

February 04, 2013

Fred

Dear Family,

I received a message from Paul Bingham yesterday (Sunday) about his mom, Rita

Hi Judy and Mac –

I wanted to let you know that Rita passed away this morning at Blenheim Lodge in Vancouver. The end was very peaceful and she had a number of the family with her. She would have been 93 later this month.

………………...

Mac and I visited Rita at Blenheim Lodge this past summer in Vancouver, with Jan and Doug Bingham.

She was still her sweet, determined self.

Jan had let me know just 2 weeks ago that she had had the flu and was now confined to bed.

Our sympathy goes to her family - Paul, Dave, Doug, Don and Beverly

Paul and Rosemary Doug and Jan

1903 Sandover Cresc. 2291 Truch St.

Sidney, BC Vancouver, BC

V8L 4W4 V6K 4H1

Rita Louise Bingham

Rita Louise Bingham February 21, 1920-February 3, 2013

Rita passed away peacefully on February 3 at Blenheim Lodge, Vancouver in her 93rd year. She is survived by her children, Paul (Rosemary), David (Linda), Doug (Jan), Don (Wendy), and Beverley Dodd (Chris). Rita is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Rita was born in the family home on 8th Ave Vancouver and remained very close to her parents, Harry & Sadie Steeves, and her siblings Bud, Jack and Shirley. Following graduation from Kitsilano High School in 1938, she attended the Vancouver Normal School and taught school briefly in Chimney Creek , near Williams Lake, and Port Mellon. In 1943, Rita married Fred Bingham and they moved to Abbotsford in 1951. Rita taught in the Abbotsford School District for many years and was an active member of Calvin Presbyterian Church. Rita and Fred also supported Maranatha Baptist Church. Fred passed away in 2003 and Rita moved back to Vancouver in 2004, where she made many friends and enjoyed her new church, Kitsilano Christian Community Church.

Keats Island and Keats Camps were an important part of Rita's life for over 80 years. She first visited Keats in 1928, and owned cottages there with her family for the rest of her life. She attended the camp as a camper and later as a leader and director, and was very proud that many of her children and grandchildren worked and volunteered at the camp. Rita greatly enjoyed family times and the beauty of Keats up until her 92nd year. She is fondly remembered at Keats for her lovely garden as well as her hospitality and many projects to improve the cottage.

Rita was a patient, kind, supportive and loving friend and a respected role model for her family; she will be missed. We feel blessed that we were able to share her life for so long.

The family would like to express heartfelt appreciation to Doug and Jan Bingham for their care and support of Rita over the past 8 years. Many thanks also to Liz Gardner for her friendship and service, and the staff at Blenheim Lodge for their kindnesses and excellent care during the past year.

A celebration of Rita's life will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Fairview Baptist Church, 1708 West 16th Avenue, Vancouver BC. In lieu of flowers, donations to Keats Camps, #100-657 Marine Drive, West Vancouver BC, V7T 1A4, or to Kitsilano Christian Community Church, 1708 West 16th Ave., Vancouver BC V6J 2M1, would be appreciated.

Published in Vancouver Sun and/or The Province on February 9, 2013

Evelyn Ruth (Smith) (Bowman) Bingham

Died at 93 years

January 15, 2016

Ruth Bingham, (she preferred Ruth) died around 5:15 pm, Friday January 15, 2016. It was a peaceful end, just 11 days shy of her 94th birthday. Ruth, to her last conscious moment, was someone who put others needs above her own. Over the past 3 weeks we have had the gift of spending time with her and letting her know how much she meant to each one of us.

Married, to Lawrence Bowman and Ernest Bingham, she was widowed twice and predeceased by her brothers Jim and Fred and sister Betty. Ruth had her share of heartache and sad times.

Ruth was mother to Ross, James, Barb and Robert, grandma to Ted, Val, Jeff, Vicki, Heather, Cameron, Emily and Kaleigh and Great-Grandma to Rivers, Conner, Sawyer, Taya and Orin.

Ruth was born and raised on the family farm, near Baltimore Ontario and lived in Ottawa and Toronto. She loved to travel; on her 80th birthday Ruth was traveling on the roof of a boxcar seeing the Cuban jungle. She went to the north and south poles and many continents in between. Her final trip was at 89 years of age, on a luxury riverboat cruise on the Rhine with Ross and Barbara.

A long time resident of Barclay Terrace in Etobicoke, Ruth enjoyed playing bridge, euchre, doing her aqua fitness and watching the Leafs and Blue Jays. Ruth's hands were always busy weaving, knitting and in later years trying to master her computer and e mail. A baker extraordinaire her cheese bread, pies, pancakes and hot cross buns will be remembered by anyone who was lucky enough to taste them.

The Bingham, Bowman, Smith family are thankful for the wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother she was. It was her wish, once she found out her health was declining, to see her grandchildren. That wish came to fruition as grandkids came from Texas, Halifax and Sault Ste Marie. She was able to meet the most recent addition to the family, her great grandson Orin.

As per her wishes she has been cremated and a private family gathering will be held. If you would like to make a donation in Ruth's name, the following charities were near and dear to her heart: The War Amps of Canada, the Salvation Army, and the World Wildlife Fund. Ruth received excellent care at St. Joseph's Health Care Centre and the E. Bickle Palliative Care Centre so if you prefer, donations to these health care facilities, would be appreciated.

Gail (Alexander) Madell

Died at 80 years

April 17, 2016

Gail

October 20, 2015 Orillia, Ontario

Gail passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Leacock Retirement Lodge in Orillia. Predeceased by her parents Clare and Ruth Bingham Alexander and her brother John Alexander QC. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Bill Madell. Loving mother of Andrew (Kim), Bob (Sarah) and Dan (Laura) of Kimberley BC. Cherished grandmother of Travis, Kyrstal, Mitchell and Marlee, great grandmother of 3. Survived by brothers Bruce, David and Rick.

Born in Montreal; graduate of Hillcrest Public School in Toronto, Oakville Trafalgar High School, Western University Medical School Class of 60. Flight Lieutenant/ Medical Officer with the #1 Air Division, R.C.A.F., Metz, France and from there to Mareeba, Australia and Orillia, Ontario.

In Orillia she practiced as a family doctor for over 30 years, with her husband, then on her own, and was known for intelligent, empathetic and dedicated care for her patients.

Gail had a gift for making and keeping friends. She was always enthusiastic and always bringing people together. She cheered for everyone, most notably for her three boys at the cottage regatta. She was a keen skier, curler, golfer, water skier, canoe tripper, line dancer and ukele player, as well as a constant volunteer especially with PROBUS, the University Women’s Club, her cottage association and numerous health care organizations.

She was happiest at her cottage at Bingham’s Bay on Lake Cecebe.

Friends and family will be received at Mundell Funeral Home, 79 West St. N. Orillia on Thursday, April 21^st, from 2-4 pm and from 7-9 pm. A funeral service will be held at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 99 Peter St N, Orillia on Friday, April 22^nd at 1 o’clock. Memorial donations, if so desired, to the charity of Gail’s preference would be appreciated. Messages of condolence are welcome at www.mundellfuneralhome.com

Bob Mattei

Husband of Kay Bingham Mattei, died in February 13, 2019

(Kay Bingham Mattei is the daughter of Robert and Charlotte Bingham)