Wall-Custance Memorial Forest Program

BASE, Helen – The family of the late Helen Base (nee McKay), would like to announce her peaceful passing on January 12th, 2025, at Hospice Wellington, Guelph, at the age of 86.

Helen was born in Glasgow, Scotland on June 10th, 1938. She is predeceased by her parents William and Annie McKay. Beloved wife of the late Peter John Base (May 5th, 1999). Loved mother of Steven of Ottawa, Leslie (Heather) of Orangeville and Fraser (Cheryl) of Port Perry. Helen was very proud of her four grandchildren, Karen (Adam) Jurcic of Hespler, Andrea (Norman) Christopherson of Guelph, Andrew Base (Ana) of Thunder Bay and Devon Base of Oakville. She also had three wonderful great- grandchildren, Addison, Parker Jurcic, and Clarke Christopherson. Dear sister of the late Bessie Holms (Johnnie) and her late brother Billy McKay (Margaret). Survived by her younger brother James McKay (Linda) of Glasgow, Scotland.

Helen married Peter John Base from England in 1957 and started their family. The family immigrated to Canada in 1965 and raised the family in Guelph.

Helen was actively involved at the senior’s centre and loved playing badminton, golf, and lawn bowling. She had many adventures and traveled with her girlfriends of 26 years, Jeanette, Janice, Elaine, Pat & Melba all of Guelph.

The Base family would like to thank Martine for your love and support always. They would also like to thank Dr. Graham, all the nurses, PSW’s and volunteers of Hospice Wellington for their incredible care and attention during our mother’s peaceful transition and journey.

As per Helen’s wishes cremation has taken place. An interment will take place in the spring beside her late husband at Woodlawn Memorial Park. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

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

In lieu of flowers a donation to Hospice Wellington would be greatly appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory of both Helen and Peter Base in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

A tree will be planted in memory of John F. A. Duncan in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

Elanor Graham Murphy

January 15, 1940 – January 10, 2025

MURPHY, Elanor Graham – Lovingly within the warm embrace of her family, Elanor was guided home five days short of her 85th birthday.

Reunited with her late husband Jim (James), her adored mother, Mary Nicholl Wallace, and her sweet brother Joe Wallace (Dee). All taken too soon.

Elanor was born in Paisley, Scotland on January 15, 1940. Immigrating to Canada in 1960 with the love of her life, James Murphy.

Beloved and amazing mother of Suzanne (Elio), Christine (Claudio) and Steven. Cherished and adoring grandma of Alyssa (Josh), Olivia (Brian), Sophie (Randy), Thomas (Tiffany), and Alexa (Kalli). Adored Aunt of Hayley Skipworth (Robert) and great aunt to Romilly of Edinburgh, Scotland. Adored Aunt of Jason Wallace (Frances) and great aunt to Daniella and Francesca of Manchester, England.

Elanor enriched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her kind heart, abundance of patience, sharp wit and wonderful ability to laugh with us, and sometimes at us, made her a friend to all. Her smile could light up a room. Her laugh was infectious and her love all consuming and constant. She was the star in our night sky, the warm embrace in times of trouble and the heart that made our family whole.

As a family we are heartbroken. Elanor is at peace now.

This is what gives us strength and comfort, knowing she is surrounded by those who have been patiently waiting for her. Welcoming her home.

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

Godspeed darling mum, sweet dreams until we meet again.

A tree will be planted in memory of Elanor G. Murphy in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.

POUNDER, Nellie – Passed away peacefully at home in the arms of her daughter and son-in- law after a brief illness on January 8th, 2025.

Nellie Pounder (nee Hancock) in her 94th year, originally of Mexborough, England, was the adored wife of the late Wallace Pounder (2012) and a loving, best friend to her daughters Doreen, Evelyn (Tom), Helen and Bonny.

Nellie was the cherished and much-loved grandmother of eight and a proud great grandmother of ten. She leaves behind a legacy of devotion to family and a love that will carry us through until we meet again.

A special thanks to Dr. Williams, Closing the Gap and Ontario Health at Home for their care and support.

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

A tree will be planted in memory of Nellie Pounder in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.

KELLY, Margaret H – of Guelph, Ontario, passed away peacefully at Eden House on Monday, January 6, 2025.  Marg was predeceased by her husband Bert (2005).

Marg was loved by many both here and in Scotland, and will always be remembered for helping others and for her excellent baking.

Sincere thanks and gratitude to Maureen Scapinello for all of her love, friendship and ongoing support of Marg over the years. Many thanks to the staff at Eden House as well for their excellent care of Marg.

There will be no funeral, as per Marg’s request. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

Donations to The Alzheimer Society of Waterloo-Wellington or Eden House would be appreciated

A tree will be planted in memory of Margaret H. Kelly in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.

TOWNSEND (TRIMBLE), Christine – Our globe-trotting adventurer, embarked on her final journey on January 5, 2025, when she was peacefully called home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Born on April 6, 1954, on Newfoundland’s Bell Island, Christine devoted her life to family, right from the start. Her passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to family and friends continued throughout her life.

Christine’s greatest joy and achievement was her family who she worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for. She provided a warm, loving, and nurturing environment and her unconditional love showed no bounds. Christine truly led by example and taught a great deal about faith, forgiveness, encouragement, positivity, mercifulness, support and love.  She was always the first to offer help, from a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen, her loving care and faithful prayers, or meals, rides, visits and her time, all of which deeply impacted on the lives of those who knew and loved her.

Christine will be remembered for her resilience, perseverance and indomitable spirit (not to mention her unmistakable laugh and legendary meatballs). She had an extraordinary gift for cultivating deep and lasting relationships.  Christine was a loyal, trustworthy, selfless and giving woman to the end. The world truly was a better place with her in it and we are all better off for having been blessed to know and love her.

Christine leaves behind and will be profoundly missed by her loving husband of 15 months, Derrick Townsend, her three adoring children, Trevor Trimble (Andrea), Darryl Trimble (Janine) and Crystal McDermid (Shane), her 8 wonderful grandchildren Micheal, T.J., Cyrus (Summer), Anthony (Liz), Keirstin (Evan), Aldin, Ava and Bethany (and her mom Jen) and her great-grandchildren Soleil and baby Trimble on the way. She will also be missed by brothers Tony Boone (Lorrie), Paul Boone, Daniel Boone (Wendy), Nick Milicevic and sister Geri Greenfield and by sisters-in-law Linda Marschall, Judy Trimble, Sheila Trimble, Kym Cronkwright (Jeff), Sandi Butler (Fred), Marlene Hall (Murray) and brothers-in-law, Keith Townsend (Lita), Ken Stewart (Helen) Randy Stewart (Robin), and by her caring Goddaughter, Robyn MacKeigan (Rod).

In addition to her birth parents, Christine is pre-deceased by her caring foster parents Alex and Gwen Cairns and her devoted first husband of 35 years, Ray Trimble. Also predeceased by sisters Diane Boone, Mila West (Dalton), brothers Stephen Burgin, Jimmy Finley and brothers-in-law, Derek Trimble, Patrick Trimble and Jim Marschall.

Thank you on behalf of the family to the entire care team of the Guelph General Hospital Acute Stroke Unit, Emergency Department, and to the First Responders.

Friends and family will be received for visitation at the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, on Wednesday, January 15th from 6 – 9 pm. Memorial service will be held at Kortright Presbyterian Church, 55 Devere Dr, Guelph on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 1 pm. A reception to follow in the church hall.   Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

For those interested, donations can be made to Kortright Presbyterian Church.

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

Joan Cooling Scheffel

July 14, 1936, Glace Bay, Cape Breton NS – January 4, 2025, Alliston

SCHEFFEL, Joan – Joan passed in peace, comfort and dignity at Matthews House Hospice in Alliston, following her beloved Jack, who went before only six months ago. Born to loving parents Mary and Fred Cooling, in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, she was raised in Toronto along with sisters Freddie and Lynda, and brother William. She met Jack when she was only 14, and he 18. They were a study in contrasts, but best friends for over 70 years. Joan was a proud mother to John (Dominique), Daniel, Lori (Marc) and Jeffrey (Melinda). Nana to Matthew, Marie, Harold and Chlöe, and Great-grandma to Louis and Aurélien.

Joan loved family life and was happiest and most confident raising young kids and making beautiful homes (and pies), but she also worked diligently at her passion for art, eventually becoming a prolific amateur artist. She studied at the Blue Mountain School of Fine Art, the Buckhorn School of Fine Art, took and taught courses at Georgian College and other locales, and was a member of the South Simcoe Arts Council and the Orangeville Art Group. In the last few years, having moved from the Fergus area back to Alliston to be closer to family, she was able to renew some acquaintance with area artists at The Gibson Centre’s open studio days. While her skills may have been fading, she just loved to take in the ambience and enjoy the creativity of others. She had a keen eye for form, colour and beauty and could see details and interest in the most ordinary things. Her works in oil, acrylic, pen and ink, and water colour as well as her folk art were exhibited, sold, gifted and cherished.

Our girl was fun, witty, generous, and young at heart. She was also sensitive and empathetic, feeling things deeply. She and Jack, the sassy sweetheart and the rebel, were a team, and while things got challenging at the end, their love for each other and their pride in their family was always there. Dementia is a cruel affliction that many families contend with. You lose bits of your person and their personality changes in strange and affecting ways. Joan managed still to shine through those clouds most days, and her fighting spirit earned her a little fan club amongst her wonderful caregivers. We would like to thank our loyal and loving friend, whom we affectionately call, Sainte Norma, for years of support, helping keep The Joan and Jack Show on the road. Norma says it takes a village to do elder care. Our heartfelt thanks also to our Auntie Freddie, one who has “been there” and whose love and support, as well as the many nice lunches she put on for us, kept the family circle going for Mom. Formidable dames, these Cooling women.

We also wish to acknowledge the hardworking nursing staff of Stevenson Memorial Hospital and the exceptional team of great hearts who make up Matthews House Hospice. These vital resources need strong community support so others can benefit as we did. We will be forever grateful for the kind and well-deserved passing you provided for our mother.

Cremation has taken place and Joan will join Jack for “a walk in the woods” at The Arboretum in Guelph. If you wish to make an in memoriam donation, we know she would be pleased with support to Matthews House Hospice or The Gibson Centre for Community, Arts and Culture in Alliston.

With respect for Joan’s wishes, there will not be a service.

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

A tree will be planted in memory of Joan Scheffel in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.