Passed away peacefully on October 4th surrounded by her family and her devoted caregivers. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 63 years, James (Jimmy) Richard Gordon Flynn and her much loved brother, Bruce. She will be sorely missed by her children, Frances Herzer (Bill Herzer), Barbara Paton (Peter Paton), and Michael Flynn (Mary-Ellen Flynn). She was much loved by her seven grandchildren, Peter John Paton (Renata Luisetto), Carol Flynn (Andrew Boettcher), Elizabeth Rickard (Stephen Rickard), Bruce Herzer (Stacey Foti), Christopher Flynn (Deana Flynn), Katy Paton (Raj Malepati) and Andrea Herzer (predeceased). She was also blessed to have eleven great grandchildren: Stephen and Isabella Paton, Victoria and Liam Rickard, Juliette and Brennan Herzer, Charlie and Alex Boettcher and Joey, Jimmy and Jackie Flynn.

Marjorie was born in Herne Bay, Kent to loving parents. When she was eight her parents went out to Venezuela and she was left in boarding school. She was very unhappy there but she had to remain there until her parents visited England two years later and she was taken out to Venezuela with them where she attended German school. A year later she returned to England and remained there until she was able to leave school at fifteen. She then went out to Maracaibo in Venezuela where she spent many happy years working as a secretary, meeting and marrying Jimmy and raising her three children. She formed many lifelong friends there along with a passion for warm, sunny weather. They spent some time in Maracaibo before moving on to Argentina, Italy and finally back to their beautiful home in Kingswood, Surrey, England. In 2004, following Jimmy’s death, Marjorie moved to Toronto, to be near her children and her extended family.

Marjorie was a kind and modest person who delighted in her family. She spoke many languages including French, German, Spanish, Italian and a smattering of Dutch. She loved her garden and delighted in growing flowers and vegetables. She loved crafts and enjoyed knitting, crocheting and dress making. She was athletic in her younger days and was keen on swimming and tennis. She enjoyed music and was a very good pianist. She also enjoyed concerts, ballet and theatre and loved to put together groups to attend the Last Night at the Proms where everybody had to wave the Union Jack enthusiastically. She was a keen monarchist who was excited to have attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace, to have had lunch with the Prince of Wales, now King Charles and to have received birthday cards from two monarchs.

Marjorie spent 20 years at the retirement home on The Donway where she was always impressed by the kindness of the staff, led by Lynn Jennings. She had wonderful caregivers who looked after her for the last ten years, led by Marivic and Cristy who from the start of Covid looked after her selflessly for seven days a week around the clock. Her family will always be grateful to them for the care they gave to her and the support they gave to the family.

Most of all Marjorie will be remembered as a kind and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

A Celebration of Life was held for her on Tuesday, October 15th at Jubilee United Church at 40 Underhill Drive, North York.

Donations may be made in Marjorie’s name to Cystic Fibrosis or the charity of your choice.

With gratefulness for a wonderful life, filled with service to others, we share the passing of Douglas James Hicks. Doug passed away on September 16th, 2024 at the age of 92, in Toronto, Ontario.

Doug was born in Calgary, the only child of his parents, Reg and Olive Hicks. They moved eastwards to Piapot, Saskatchewan and then Winnipeg, before settling in Toronto.

Doug married his beloved wife, Mary Ann (nee Godden) in Toronto and together they raised their family there and Doug pursued his career as a Chartered Accountant. They recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Doug was predeceased by his parents and his in-laws, Claire and Clarence Freek, and Ewart Godden.

Together Doug and Mary Ann shared 4 children: Kathy (Ted Mills), Andrew (Ellen Christie), Laura (Jeff Simpkins), and Brenda (Tim Mullen). Doug was an engaged and proud “PaPa” of 9 grandchildren: Tory (Adam), Emily (Ethan), Erin, Annie (Julian), Jamie (Jordyn), John Douglas (Samantha), Trevor, Dane, and Will. He delighted in being a “Gampa” to his 4 great grandchildren: Cooper, Emmett, “Little” Annie, and Joseph “Joey.” “Uncle Doug” will also be fondly remembered by all of his special nieces and nephews.

Doug was a proud Partner at KPMG for close to 30 years. He was the head of their Insurance Practice and was granted a Fellowship in the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants. Post retirement, Doug enjoyed serving as a corporate director for numerous companies.

Doug was a committed member of the United Church of Canada, serving Jubilee United Church, in Presbytery, and with The Fred Victor Centre where he spent many years in various roles supporting their mission to improve housing and employment for people in need. His service leaves an ongoing legacy in all of these areas.

Doug filled his retirement years with: extensive travel with Mary Ann and friends, summers at Tall Trees on Cameron Lake, golf, curling and The Kiwanis Club (Don Mills Golden K).

Most importantly, Doug relished time with his family. He was always happiest when we were all together.

A Celebration of Life has been planned for Friday October 4th, 2024, at 11am at Jubilee United Church, 40 Underhill Drive, Don Mills, ON M3A 2J5.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Fred Victor Centre or North York General Hospital.

CHISAMORE, JOSEPHINE VERONICA (nee WEY) June 15, 1934 – September 14, 2024 Passed away peacefully, at Scarborough Grace Hospital, after a brief illness following a fall. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Carman; and their children, Brian (Hilary), Kent (Michelle) and Sherry. She adored her grandsons, Jared, Noah and Cole. She was predeceased by her brother, Tom Wey (Aurora); and is survived by many nieces and nephews. Josey was born on June 15, 1934, in Toronto to a Chinese father and Scottish mother. The family moved to Brighton where Josey enjoyed her school years. She graduated from Peterborough Teachers College in 1955 and started her teaching career in Scarborough at Wexford Public School. She enjoyed travelling to Europe and the UK with her teacher friends. She met Carman in 1961 at a Timothy Eaton Trident Group and they married in 1963. They started life together in Espanola where Brian and Kent were born. After five years in Espanola, they returned to Toronto where Sherry was born. Josey and Carman have lived in the same house in Scarborough for the past 55 years. They enjoyed travelling together and as a family, but the favourite times were at a rented cottage in Wasaga Beach where they could spoil their grandsons for over ten years. After spending some time at home with her children, Josey completed her degree extramurally and graduated from Queen’s University in 1975. She returned to teaching, specializing in ESL Josey loved dancing and they enjoyed Scottish Country Dancing for over 35 years with the Hillcrest Group. They were members of St. John’s United Church for many years until it closed, and they transferred to Jubilee United. After she retired from teaching at the age of 61, Josey kept active by enrolling in Mandarin at U of T, volunteering at Gibson House and as a docent at ROM. She was active in the Grannies, several book clubs, and enjoyed the Later Life Learning lectures at U of T. She will be remembered fondly for her sense of humour, intelligence, wanting to learn new things (Ukulele lessons at 85!), and her love of reading. A Celebration of Life will take place at Jubilee United Church (40 Underhill Dr., North York) on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 2 p.m. Visitation will take place prior, starting at 1 p.m. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund, or a charity of your choice.

Harold (Hal) Balderson
November 7, 1933 – September 4, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Harold Balderson Beloved husband and soulmate of the late Jean Balderson (1933-2010). Loving father and father-in-law of Wendy and Shelly Sinukoff, and Marcia and Robert Munro. Devoted and adored grandpa of Michael (Emily), Evan (Lyndsay), Ceileigh, and Jennifer. Proud great-grandpa of Alexa and Esme. Predeceased by his two brothers.

Harold was born in Toronto and lived there his entire life. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Marrying his high school sweetheart, Jean Walsh, from Lawrence Park Collegiate in 1955, they raised two daughters and had a wonderful partnership that lasted 55 years. They had many longtime and close friends and were valued and generous members of their church and community.

Harold had a long, successful and fulfilling career as a Chartered Accountant. He was a partner at Balderson, Mielke and Co. and then at Stern Cohen LLP. He was well-respected by his colleagues and clients for his advice, integrity, wisdom, and “people-first” approach.

In 1982 Harold and Jean built a cottage in Port Sydney, ON. It quickly became a 2nd home for their expanding family and a place to spend time with friends. It remains in the family to this day.
Harold and Jean loved to travel, especially on cruises; they travelled extensively on their own, and with family and friends. They also enjoyed playing bridge. Harold was an avid jogger and ran three marathons. He also participated in several cross-country ski loppets in Muskoka.

Harold was very handy and became a skilled wood crafter. From his home woodworking shop, he built furniture and rocking horses that now reside in his children’s and grandchildren’s homes.
We are deeply grateful to all the staff at Presentation Manor for the wonderful, compassionate care he received there for the past four plus years.

Harold was much loved, generous, kind, and well-respected. He always made time for others. The world is a better place because of him. As he joins his beloved Jeannie, he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

If desired, donations may be made to Jubilee United Church – Refugee Support or Habitat for Humanity GTA.

Marianne Loranger, passed away on August 8, 2024. No obituary available.

A sharing in the mourning of the death and celebration of the life of Marianne Irene Loranger at Jubilee United Church on Friday, September 6, 2024 with husband Ken Webber and Marianne’s family and friends. A wonderful rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” by the Shout Sisters and eulogies by Peter Loranger and Michael Loranger; presided by Rev. Norm Seli.

Hector Reid passed away peacefully, full of wit, kindness and love on August 26, 2024.  Hector is survived by his daughter Karen Newman and her partner Byron Tobar, and grandson Matthew.

Always active and dedicated to the community and ministry of Jubilee United Church, Hector loved as easily as he joked, and could always be found in the kitchen, at the barbecue or serving hot chocolate when people gathered.

He would want his epitath to be these words written by another proud Scot, Robbie Burns:

An honest man here lies at rest,
As e’er God with His image blest:
The friend of man, the friend of truth;
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,
Few heads with knowledge so inform’d:
If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.

It is with heavy hearts the family announces the passing Doreen Paton (nee Norris) on June 22, 2024, due to complications from Lewy Body Dementia. Predeceased by parents, Eva and Harry Norris; her husband of 53 years, John Edward Paton; and her big brothers whom she adored, Jack and Roion. Doreen is survived by daughters, Sheryle (Michael) and Kathy (Pat); and son, Tom (Ofelia). Proud Gran to Corina (Andre), Calvin, Evan, Sean, Abby, Connor and Britney; and Great-Gran to Maxwell and Jaxson. Doreen was aunt and great-aunt to many nieces and nephews. Growing up in Leaside, she attended Rolph Road Public School, Leaside High and later, Ryerson Polytechnical Institute for Retail Merchandising. Doreen met John Paton in chemistry class at Leaside High, started dating when they both attended Ryerson and were married at Leaside United Church in 1960. Dad worked with Manulife Financial, which had Mom and Dad welcoming and raising their children in a number of cities, including Edmonton, Calgary, Halifax and Atlanta, and finally settling in Toronto. Mom joined Beta Sigma Phi, and with each move she was welcomed by her “sisters.” She was active in sorority for over 60 years, joined the Milne House Garden Club, attended St. John’s United Church, she was a member of many different bridge groups, including the “Leaside Lovelies” and volunteered at several agencies throughout her life. Mom and Dad travelled the world extensively and loved to plan annual family reunions at their cottage in Windermere. Mom experienced increasing health problems in her later years. We are grateful for loving care received from doctors, at her home with Nikka, Jevana, and Beverly, and the staff from The Meadows, Aurora, this past year. A full, wonderful, and courageous life was lived.

A private interment with family will take place. Personal memories and condolences can be shared with the family at Highland Funeral Home – Scarborough Chapel (arbormemorial.ca). Donations in Doreen’s memory can be made to Dementia Research at Baycrest Foundation – Home.

RAFFERTY, LOIS PATRICIA “PAT” (nee LEAHY) Passed peacefully, at The Donway Place, North York, Ontario, on Friday, May 10, 2024, in her 88th year. Beloved wife of the late Jim. Loving mother of Michael and his wife Tracy. Special Nana to Jessica and Nicholas. Predeceased by siblings Susie (James McClintock), William “Bud” (Helen), and Thelma (Lloyd Gillard). Friends are invited to visit with the family at Paul O’Connor Funeral Home, on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 10 a.m., with a Memorial Service to follow at 11 a.m. The family would like to express their gratitude to neighbours, family, friends, and the staff at Donway Place, for the level of care, support and respect provided to Pat and her family over the past year.

REYNOLDS, GERTRUDE EULAINE “LENNIE” (nee McLEAN) October 6, 1932 – February 21, 2024 After a long struggle with cancer, Lennie passed away in hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her older brother, Jack McLean; and all six of her children: Sue (James Dewar) Reynolds, Doug (Anne) Reynolds, Steve (Carol) Reynolds, Mahina (Jim Ferguson) Rose, Patti (Mark) Jennings and Sandy (Andrew Thornton) Reynolds; her grandchildren: Cam; CJ and Will; Heather, Marc and Michelle; Lyrica, Liam, and Phaelin; Breum and Indianna; as well as by the next generation of great-grandkids; and many furry grandbabies, both cats and dogs. Born and raised in Toronto, Lennie got her BA at the University of Toronto, where she also met her beloved life partner, Tom (1929-2011). She will be remembered for her boundless hospitality, and her quality of loving presence with family and friends and will be deeply missed. Condolences may be left at: chapelridgefh.com Cremation. A Celebration of Life is planned, but date is not yet set. Lennie sponsored a wide range of charities. Donations in her name to your choice of charity are appreciated.