Wall-Custance Memorial Forest Program

FREEMAN, M. Isabel (nee Loughran) – Of Guelph, passed away peacefully at Guelph General Hospital on Sunday, May 17, 2026, in her 86th year.  

Beloved wife of Ernie Freeman. Loved mother of Sheri Lyn (Bryan) McDonald, Janice Woody and Marc Freeman. Loving grandmother of Blakeman, Joshua, Clayton, Paige, Malaika, Jodiceson, Taivyn, Cuaidman, Madison, Sydney, Kaitlyn, and Keegan. Dear sister of Norma Black, Dorothy Christopher, June Baker and Ralph (Louise) Loughran.  

Friends will be received at WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, on Friday, May 22nd, 2026, for visitation from 12:30pm – 1:30pm. Funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 1:30pm. Reception to follow in the Wall-Custance Family Reception Centre. A private family interment will be held at Farnham Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

Memorial contributions to the Crestwicke Baptist Church would be appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory of M. Isabel Freeman in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

LESNIEWSKI, Zena – A beloved sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 15, 2026. She leaves behind a lifetime of treasured memories and a family forever grateful for her love, strength, and unwavering faith.

Born on June 30, 1940, in Poland, Zena was a woman of deep resilience who lived with remarkable strength and grace. Her faith guided her throughout her life and was a constant source of comfort and inspiration.

Zena was the proud owner of Café Chopin, where she created not only delicious food but also a warm and welcoming place for community and connection. She enjoyed gardening and loved to cook. Cooking was her passion, and she loved to share that with family, friends, neighbours, and anyone fortunate enough to know her.  She loved to talk to people and those who knew her will remember the stories she has shared.

She was a devoted mother to Jola, Krysia, and Andrew, and a proud and loving grandmother to Lisa, Micheal, and Caleb. She was overjoyed to be a great-grandmother to her cherished great-grandson, Linkoln. She is also lovingly remembered by her brother, Eugene.

Zena’s life was centered on love, faith, and family. Her kindness, strength, and gentle spirit touched many lives and will never be forgotten.

She will be deeply missed and forever held in the hearts of her family and friends.

Friends and family will be received for visitation at the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 12:30 – 1:30 pm, followed by a funeral service in the funeral home chapel at 1:30 pm.  Burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park.  Family will host a reception back at the Wall-Custance Family Reception Centre.  Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

Memorial contributions to the Hospice Wellington would be appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory of Zena Lesniewski in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

GOW, Michelle – On May 13th, 2026 we unexpectedly lost our beautiful mom, wife and friend, Michelle. She was found resting peacefully in her sleep. 

She will be deeply missed by the love of her life of 42 years, Alex Gauvreau, as well as her children, Trinity (Josh) Gauvreau, and Trey (Shaylin) Gauvreau, who she admired so deeply. She is left to mourn by her parents Lawrence and Shirley Gow, whom she loved immensely. She also leaves behind a sister, Lori (Troy) Hanson. Besides immediate family, she also leaves to mourn many friends & extended family. 

Born on March 16th, 1966, she served as a paramedic for 30 years with the Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Service. She saved countless lives, and delivered many healthy babies along the way – something she was very proud of.

Besides her work, she was deeply spiritual and always had a love of dragonflies. She always enjoyed being present, enjoying the little things in life and finding peace in every moment. She loved spending time at her trailer, and her favourite place to be was with her family. 

We kindly ask that you remember our mom for everything she was. A kind soul and a gentle friend to everyone. 

We thank everyone for their condolences and thoughts. In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you donate to Boots on The Ground.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at Lakeside Church, 7654 Conservation Rd, Guelph, ON N1H 6J1, beginning at 2:00pm with memories shared at 3:00pm.  Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Michelle C. Gow in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Great Great Grandmother.

Blanche Margaret McEwan (nee McRae) passed away peacefully with her family by her side, on May 13th, 2026.

She was predeceased by her husband Donald (2025), her Granddaughter Amanda (2025), her sisters Donna Hayden (2019) and Dorothy McRae (2003).

She leaves behind her daughter, Joy Strobl (Ken); grandchildren Jessica Strobl (Jeff Elliott), children Quinton, Savannah, Leo; Adam Strobl (Alison), children Max, Grady.

Also left to cherish her memory, her son, Ross McEwan (Franka Barbirolo); grandchildren Jacob McEwan (Jody), children Jake, Gaje; Kayla, children Warren, Silas, Theo, Blythe; Melissa McEwan, children Ethan, Drew, Blair; Thomas McEwan (Julianne), son Tyler; Elysia McEwan (Luke Hurren), son Seth; Vlad McEwan; Lucas McEwan (Nicole Thomson), children Trent, Jade.

She is also survived by her step brother, Gary Dean (Marcia) & their family.

She was very proud of all her family, loved and supported each one of us unconditionally!!

She will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.

“Our love is with you always and forever in our hearts”

A private family internment will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Blanche M. McEwan in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

Wayne Paul Tucker

Of Guelph, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026, at the age of 57.

Beloved son of Cheryl Graham. Dear brother of Terra. Loved Uncle to Madison, Liam, Isabella, and Chloe. 

Wayne was a very intelligent, caring person who loved to read, write, play guitar and make music, as well as tending to and perfecting his plants. Honest and loyal to his core, Wayne overcame many hardships early in his life and found peace with himself.

Wayne’s last 4–5 years were spent with Kim, and together they had been making plans for their future. He brought warmth, laughter, and music into the lives of those who really knew him, and his gentle spirit will be deeply missed by all who loved him.

Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Wayne P. Tucker in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

WINCHCOMBE, Yvonne Marie – Yvonne Marie Winchcombe (Bonnie), née Muise, 88, was born on October 9, 1937, and passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, at AR Goudie Long-Term Care in Kitchener, ON.

She is survived by her children, Charlene Winchcombe-Forhan (George Forhan), Guelph, ON; Heather Winchcombe (James Richey), Fall River, NS; and Brent Winchcombe (Andrée Drouin-Winchcombe), Rockland, ON; and her pride and joy – her five grandchildren, Zachary (Robyn), Tanya, Laura, Jeffrey, Dylan (Lauren), and great grandson, Ivan, all of Ontario.

She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Charles (Grant) Winchcombe, her parents, Isaac Nathaniel Muise and Mary Frances Saulnier of Yarmouth County, NS, and her siblings and their spouses, Dorcus (Roy), Annie Barbara (Barb, Doug), Agnes Antoinette (Toni, Peter), Walter (Pauline), Catherine (Don), Margaret (Nan, Finley), Olive (Olie, Bill), and Bernard (Gerry), as well as several nieces and nephews. She departed this life for what we can only imagine will be a joyful family reunion.

As the youngest of 9 siblings, with a 21-year age span, she had become an aunt, twice over, by the time she was 1 year old. Over time, that number grew to 39 nieces and nephews. With her earliest memories of growing up in this large family during the WWII era in southwestern NS, her life had a solid foundation in her Acadian roots, her Catholic faith, and her people.

Bonnie and Grant raised their own family beginning during the early 1960s, in and around Halifax, NS, with extra special time during an epic Atlantic to Pacific family driving vacation in ‘79, and during the ‘80s and ‘90s at their cottage on Sole’s Lake, NS.

Trained as a bookkeeper, Bonnie worked as a bank teller, an office administrator for Ainslie Animal Hospitals, and as a medical office receptionist for various family physicians. She also regularly, single-handedly held down the fort at home for months at a time while Grant was away with work for DND. In retirement, she and Grant moved to Guelph, ON, to maximize quality time with their kids and grandkids.

Bonnie’s circle of friends, comprised mostly of family, neighbours, and coworkers, was also large, with a number of them embraced as ‘family by choice’. Over the years, she offered countless people a place at the table, a meandering conversation, or a home away from home, while passing through Halifax or Guelph. That connection to her people was tremendously important to her, and this was still evident recently among the staff and residents at her long-term care home where she was described as ‘spicy’ and ‘the queen’. As the layers peeled away with the advancement of her dementia, it became clear that, at her core, were her fierce independence and her deep desire to help others.

Her family would like to thank family physician, Dr. Angela Lightle, and her team in Guelph for the care and compassion they provided for over 20 years; the Catholic community at St. Joseph Parish, Guelph, for the comfort and friendship they provided; and resident staff at AR Goudie for their patience, care, and kindness.

Cremation has taken place, as was her wish, under the care and direction of Wall-Custance Funeral Home Ltd., Guelph, ON. There will be no visitation. Interment will be held at Marymount Cemetery, Guelph, ON.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to donate in Bonnie’s memory, please consider your local community or campus foodbank, or your local humane society. Thank you.

Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Yvonne M. Winchcombe in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

WIGGINS, David – The family of David Wiggins is sad to announce his death on Monday, May 11, 2026 at Hospice Wellington.

David was born in Gimli, Manitoba, the son of an RCAF pilot and a British war bride. He received his BA from Carleton University and his MBA from McMaster University. After earning his designation as a chartered accountant, he practiced first in Hamilton, then in Mississauga and Toronto and finally in Puslinch Township, only fully retiring in 2024.

David was a devoted member of the Baha’i Community, serving in many different capacities over the years as well as an active participant in many local groups including Bereaved Families of Ontario and the Optimist Club of Puslinch.

David was predeceased by his parents, Maxwell Vincent (John) Wiggins and Marjorie Gordon, and by his son Josh. He was much loved and survived by his wife Mary, sister Kate (John), daughter Maggie (Fulvio), stepson Ian (Ulala) and by grandchildren Shinryu, Livia, Satori, and Yurika, as well as by many nieces and nephews and his sisters-in-law Ina and Grace.

The family is grateful for the kindness and compassionate care provided by his family physician Dr. Ana Dul, the Juravinski Cancer Clinic, Guelph General Hospital and Hospice Wellington.

Family and friends will be received for visitation at the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 6-8 pm. Funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 1 pm (To view the service remotely, click here). Burial at Crown Cemetery.  Following the burial, there will be a reception at Nanson Hall (Duff’s Church) across from the cemetery.  Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

Memorial contributions to the Foundation of Guelph General Hospital, Hospice Wellington or Juravinski Cancer Clinic would be appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory of David Wiggins in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.