Wall-Custance Memorial Forest Program

LAWRIE, Patricia (Pat) (née Leader)

February 9, 1938 – April 25, 2026

Patricia “Pat” Lawrie passed away on April 25, 2026, at the age of 88.

Pat lived a life rooted in love, family, and fierce independence. She was predeceased by the love of her life, Michael “Mike” Lawrie, whom she married in 1958. Their partnership shaped her world, and after his passing in 2010, she carried that love with her every day.

Pat’s greatest pride and purpose was her family. While she did work later in life, her heart and energy were always centered on being a mother first. She is lovingly remembered by her children Greg Lawrie, Christine Tucker, and Melinda (Lini) Botter, and their partners Laura, Cliff, and Gary. She was a proud grandmother to Kathleen, Meghan, Zach, Max, Madison, and Blake, and a cherished great-grandmother to Molly, Emma, Valentina, Melina, Charlotte, and Mackenzie, all of whom brought her immense joy.

Pat also leaves behind her brother Barney Leader and brother-in-law Brian Osatchuk.

Pat had a gift with people. She went out of her way to connect, always asking thoughtful questions, genuinely listening, and making others feel seen. She had many friends and was always ready for a social gathering, bringing laughter and warmth wherever she went. She had a deep appreciation for life’s small kindnesses and returned them tenfold, often through her handmade cards and heartfelt thank you notes.

She was known for her signature lasagna, a staple at many family gatherings, a tradition that will now be voluntold to someone in the family. Pat also had a vibrant sense of style; always embracing colour & pattern in her own way.  Hair done, lipstick on… and often her soft pink nail polish still drying as she walked out the door.  She was a woman that carried herself with a confidence that never reflected her age.

After Mike’s passing, Pat found companionship in her beloved cockapoos. Maggie brought her comfort for many years, and more recently, Toby became her constant companion, her “main squeeze” and daily partner.

Pat found joy in the simple, meaningful things. She loved her garden (especially the Iris flower) and expressed her creativity as an artist, working in oils and acrylics. Strawberries were Mike’s favorite and they always found their way onto countless canvases (and even the occasional mini bike), a quiet and lasting tribute to their life together.

She will be remembered for the laughter she shared and the memories she created. Pat had a close-knit circle of friends in Rockwood and, more recently, embraced a new chapter at Guelph Lake Commons, where she thoroughly enjoyed both the friendships and the need to never cook a meal. 

A lifelong friendship with Carol Burak was one of the constants of Pat’s life. The two met at age 10 in Mimico and remained inseparable ever since.  They were BFF’s long before that term existed.  They always said from saddle shoes to compression stockings was the story of their friendship. Their daily ritual of checking in with one another (right up to the very last day) ensuring they were both alive & well each day.  

True to her spirit, Pat remained active and engaged.  She had plans to tidy up her Rockwood garden the day of her passing. We find peace in knowing she passed without suffering, while Cracklin’ Rosie by Neil Diamond was playing in the background.  A fitting soundtrack for a life filled with heart, humour, and connection.

Pat’s family finds comfort in knowing she has moved on to the next phase of her journey, reunited with Mike.

A celebration of Pat’s life will be held at Farnham Cemetery and Arkell United Church, with the date to be confirmed. Details will be shared with family and friends once arrangements are finalized.  Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

She will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever part of the lives she touched.

A tree will be planted in memory of Patricia (Pat) Lawrie in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

HUTCHISON, James (Jim) Arthur

Jim passed away peacefully at the age of 74 at Guelph General Hospital on April 24, 2026. He was born in Guelph on January 11, 1952, to Fred and Doris Hutchison (both predeceased).

Jim and his wife Mary Jayne (Tucker) (predeceased in 2023) were married November 19th, 1971. He will be sadly missed by his daughter, Alisa Hutchison; his son-in-law, Les Indoe; his three grandchildren, Jordan Indoe (Jess), Taya Yarrow (Ryan), and Jenna Indoe (Jesse); his great-granddaughter, Alayna Indoe and many friends and extended family members.

Jim was a proud member of the Guelph Opti-Knights Drum Corps, where he formed many lifelong friendships. He met Jayne in 1971 while serving as an instructor to the Durham Girls Drum Corp. Jim retired at the age of 60 after 25 years with Purolator Courier, a job he truly loved.

He had a passion for old cars and trucks, enjoyed building replica cannons, and was an avid fan of the Cincinnati Bengals. Jim also enjoyed curling, listening to the Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart, and spending time with family and friends over a Black Label beer.

Special thanks are extended to the wonderful staff at Wellington Park Retirement Home for their care and compassion over the past few years, as well as to the nurses and doctors on 4 West at Guelph General Hospital.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at the Guelph Country Club, 133 Woodlawn Road East, Guelph, on Saturday, June 20, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

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

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer Society of Waterloo Wellington or the Guelph Humane Society would be appreciated by Jim’s family.

A tree will be planted in memory of James (Jim) A. Hutchison in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

REID, LEONA LUCY (née Barclay)
Slipped away quietly in her sleep at home on April 23, 2026. Her final years reflected the gentle, gradual decline that comes with advanced age; she did not leave because of any disease or illness. Fortunately, she experienced no pain or discomfort and lived comfortably into her 98th year.

Devoted wife of Melville Reid, who predeceased her in 2013, she was the beloved mother of Raymond (Gretchen d. 2024), Richard (Eleane), and Marlene Collins (Derwin).

Leona was the loving and cherished grandmother of Darren (Rhona), Andrea, Shawn d.2021, Sarah (John), Nathan (Cari), Justin, Evan (Allison), Emily (Heath), and Marianne (Nathan), Magda, and Vanessa and the proud great-grandmother of seventeen.

Born on a mixed farm near Ariss to Gilbert and Lucy Barclay, she was the sister of Barbara Reid (George) and remained close to her brothers and sisters-in-law throughout her life. Her extended family included many nieces and nephews, most of whom kept in regular touch with her.

The eldest of two girls, she was drawn early to the work of the barn and the fields, where she found both purpose and belonging. She was as comfortable driving a team of horses, turning hay with a dump rake, as she was behind the wheel of a tractor. Many hours were spent on her knees in the turnip fields, separating doubles and attending to the steady, necessary barn chores that come with caring for livestock.

When she was 17, her mother, who often took in boarders to earn a little pin money, welcomed Melville Reid into their home, a farm boy eight years her senior who had come to Guelph in hopes of becoming a carpenter. Though he had little experience, he was eager to make good. It was not long before she came to admire his straightforward nature, his integrity, and his steady, hardworking character. They soon fell hopelessly in love and, a year later, were married, beginning an adventure that would see them celebrate their 66th anniversary together.

At 18, she began her married life in a small upstairs flat at 30 London Road, soon welcoming a baby into her arms. With hard work and careful scrimping, she and our father built a modest two-bedroom house at 24 Summit Crescent, where we lived next door to our aunt and uncle throughout the 1950s. Shaped by the frugality of the Depression years, she drew on a simple, enduring recipes from that era. Though means were limited, she managed the household with care and good judgment and gave us a full and happy life, rich in love and contentment, and never lacking in what truly mattered.

Our mother cherished the open fields, as did our father, and in 1961 they moved to Puslinch Township, where she would spend the rest of her days in the home he built for her. There, while our father worked off the farm in the early years, she took charge of the mink ranch, managing it largely on her own. She had a natural gift for organization and hard work, keeping the books, overseeing the operation, and working alongside the small crew in all seasons. At pelting time, she could gather and direct a crew of eighteen women with quiet efficiency. Whether in rubber boots vaccinating the kits or in the kitchen preparing a scrumptious Sunday dinner for company, she was equally at ease. She worked long hours, in cold and heat alike, and continued with that same steady dedication until the age of 80.

In the last 25 years of their lives, my parents enjoyed their Airstream trailer, spending a month each winter in Crystal River, Florida before the busy breeding season began in March. My mother was never hesitant around machinery and was a confident driver, handling the arduous journey herself, guiding the long trailer through major American cities with ease, while our father contentedly took in the passing farm fields. They shared many happy weeks with friends, a well-earned time of rest and companionship.

Our mother, together with our father, was grounded in a shared and abiding Christian faith from which she never wavered. She lived it quietly and faithfully, often expressing it through simple acts of kindness—serving Sunday dinner to company almost weekly, delivering home baking, flowers, or a meal to ailing neighbours or friends without drawing attention to herself. Her faith was steady and unassuming, and she came to the end of her life at peace, content in her relationship with God.

We will miss her wisdom and presence, but it’s hard to see a full load of grain leaving a shorn field without feeling a sense of rejoicing!

A visitation will be held at WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from 4:00 – 8:00 pm. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 11:00 am.  To watch the service remotely, please use this link. Burial will follow the service at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

Condolences and notes can be made online at www.wallcustance.com

A tree will be planted in memory of Leona L. Reid in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

GERNON, Edward Anthony – “Eddie” peacefully passed surrounded by his family, on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, at Mississauga’s Trillium Health Centre after a brief illness. Eddie was predeceased by his parents Patrick (“Paddy”) and Elizabeth (“Lily”). He is survived by Avril, his loving wife of 58 years, his children Mark (Jennifer), Kiera (Ian). Loving “Eddie Grandpa” and “Pa” to Mia, Patrick, and Rory. Eddie had many special and long-lasting friendships and will be missed by those who knew him.

Eddie shared his first dance with the love of his life, Avril on January 15, 1964, and they were married on March 20, 1968, in Raheny (Dublin), Ireland. The next day on March 21, 1968, they embarked on a lifelong journey to Canada with less than 80 pounds in their pocket. 

Eddie, eventually worked for J.H. Ryder Machinery, in Etobicoke, as a sales manager, retiring after 38 years. 

A lover of boxing, golf and horse racing, Eddie enjoyed a good match. Not to mention being the water boy for a certain soccer club. 

A grateful thank-you to the staff at Mississauga’s Trillium Health Centre, particularly to the ICU nursing staff and doctors. 

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 10:00am at Nativity of Our Lord, Roman Catholic Church, 480 Rathburn Road, Etobicoke, ON M9C 3S8. (To watch the funeral mass remotely via Zoom, click here)

In lieu of flowers, consider raising a glass of Guinness – Sláinte Eddie.

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat

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

A tree will be planted in memory of Edward (Eddie) A. Gernon in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

Małgorzata Dudek (née Wachelka), beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2026, at the age of 65.

Born on February 13, 1961, in Częstochowa, Poland, Małgorzata carried her deep appreciation for family, tradition, and home throughout her life. She was a devoted wife to Fryderyk Dudek, a loving mother to Ewa Wendover and mother-in-law to Adam Wendover, and a proud and adoring grandmother to Noah and Maja Wendover, who were the light of her life.

Małgorzata is also lovingly remembered by her mother, Halina Wachelka, as well as extended family and dear friends.

She spent many years working in hospitality, where her natural warmth and attention to detail shone through. At home, she was known for her incredible cooking, her beautiful and carefully tended gardens, and her ability to create a welcoming, well-kept home that always felt special. She had a gift for making everyday life look effortless.

Małgorzata cherished tradition, especially during the holidays, when her love for decorating and gathering family together truly came to life. She had a refined sense of style and a fondness for classic films, particularly those of Audrey Hepburn, whose elegance she admired.

Above all, Małgorzata will be remembered for her sense of humor and her ability to bring lightness and warmth to any moment. Her presence, strength, and quiet care for those around her will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

Visitation will be held at WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Catholic Mass will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 98 Alice St., Guelph, followed by a gathering at the funeral home for close friends and family. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Malgorzata Dudek in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

Ruth Elizabeth Ferguson

1931 – 2026

Ruth Elizabeth Ferguson (nee Mann) of Guelph passed away in her 95th year, with her family by her side, on April 22, 2026.

Born near Wardsville, Ontario, she was the daughter of the late Firman and Rebecca Mann, younger sister of the late Lyle Mann (deceased 2025), and sister-in-law of the late Norma Mann (deceased 2023).

After her early education at a two-room schoolhouse down the road from the farm where she grew up, she obtained her nursing education in Chatham. As a Registered Nurse, she worked briefly doing neonatal care in London and Windsor before moving to Ottawa and raising four children – Keith (Cathy), Elizabeth, Kevin (Kathy) and Kent (Donna).

Following a move to Guelph in the early 1970s, she returned to her nursing career when her children were older, and ultimately worked for many years as a psychiatric nurse at Homewood.

After retirement, which she continued to describe as “great” even 30 years later, she enjoyed seeing her five grandchildren Katie, Rebecca, Emma (Teddy), Sarah (Jake) and Scott. She travelled, enjoyed live theatre and an occasional trip to the casino, read a library’s worth of books, and produced a variety of crafts. Few people did not have a quilted teddy bear, a microwave bowl holder, or more recently a toque, that she made from a seemingly inexhaustible supply of yarn, fabric and thread. She continued to see her nursing school colleagues at their annual reunions that she helped organize for almost 70 years.

She was a frequent visitor to the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre in Guelph, where she shared her love of sewing and quilting with many other friends. She was generous with her time, volunteering for numerous organizations over the years. She remained fiercely independent, living in her own home and insisting on taking public transit to her appointments and outings well into her 90s.

Thanks to Dr. Lesley Mok, Dr. Rachel Kyle, and the caregivers who helped her in her final days. Thanks also to Dr. David Hood, who looked after her so well for many years.

In memory of Ruth, if desired, donations may be made to the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association or the Hospital for Sick Children.

Cremation has taken place. At her request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Ruth E. Ferguson in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

CHIDWICK, Ann Dickson – Peacefully, surrounded by her family, Ann Dickson Chidwick died of old age after a long and full life. She was predeceased by her husband, Paul Field Chidwick (2007). She is survived by her children Mark (Heather), Paula (Kevin), Lynn (Terry), and Valary (Dan); her grandchildren Robert, Amanda, Gaby, Phillip, Hanna, Andrew, Ijeoma, Owen, Maeve, Will, and Evan; and her great-grandchildren Veer and Sadie. She was also “Auntie Ann” to many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, all of whom loved her dearly as she loved them.

Ann’s life was one of adventure, courage, and deep faith. With Paul at her side, she lived abroad, raised four children in Nairobi in the 1960s, and later made homes in England and back in Canada, gathering wisdom, stories, and many friendships along the way. In Ontario, she brought this rich experience to St. Mary’s parish in Windsor, where she helped establish family life education and marriage preparation programs for the Diocese of Huron.

A gifted storyteller, Ann was the published author of nine books tracing her own family’s history and giving voice to the historical stories of Sorrento and Blind Bay, BC. She approached storytelling, as she did life, with curiosity, respect, and a desire to understand. A devoted Anglican throughout her life, Ann most recently worshipped at The Church of the Apostles in Guelph, where she started “Living Better on Less,” a program rooted in her conviction that living simply and in harmony with the environment and with one another truly matters.

Ann’s family and friends will remember her unshakable joy for life and her instinct to seize every moment. Everything, in her eyes, was interesting and possible. She never stopped asking questions, and she never pretended to have all the answers, always learning, adapting, and growing. The Shuswap Lake was her favourite place on earth, where she spent countless happy hours with her grandchildren—at tea times, swimming, and playing—laying down lifelong memories. To her grandchildren, “Noni” was the embodiment of wonder and elegance, the grandmother who thought nothing of exploring boar trails in rural Portugal with a gleeful grandchild in tow.

Above all, Ann will be remembered for her abiding love and respect for people. She welcomed everyone into her home, and at any moment she might arrive with an unexpected guest—or several—knowing they would be received into the warmth of a shared meal and conversation. From raising worms on her kitchen counter as part of her commitment to the earth, to launching community projects that brought neighbours together, Ann quietly modelled a generous, inclusive humanity. She was, to all who knew her, an inspiration: gracious, fearless, endlessly interested, and deeply kind.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 11:00am at The Church of the Apostles, 86 Glasgow St. N., Guelph.

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

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to The Church of the Apostles-Living Better on Less would be appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory of Ann D. Chidwick in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.