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In Memoriam
Arden Patrica Broadhurst (Feb 1, 1934 - Aug 20, 2023)
BROADHURST, ARDEN PATRICIA (nee SPENCE) February 1, 1934 - August 20, 2023 Arden passed away peacefully at The Briton House in Toronto, at the age of 89. Arden was cherished by her beloved husband of over 60 years, William (Bill) Broadhurst. She was the loving and devoted mother of eight children: Thomas (Ellen Kaas), David (Lee Petrie), Karen (James Wanstall), Deborah Mohan (Tim), Joanna (Fodé Touré), Laurence (Susan Wakefield), Maura (Jake Deal) and Jeremy (Mary Simms). She was the proud grandmother of 19: Joseph, Peter, David, Annemarie, Elizabeth, Meredith, Nicholas, Andrew, Veronica, Christopher, Kerfalla, Djibril, Daphne, Charlotte, Owen, Fiona, Hailey, Eleanor and Matilda, and great-grandmother to Maya. Born in Sarnia, Arden was the elder daughter of James Howard Spence and Anna-Marie Spence (née Morgan). Predeceased by her much-loved only sister, Jennifer Bischof, she continued as active, beloved aunt to Jennifer's children, Justin, Monica, Gavin, and Rhea. All will forever remember Arden's dedication to family. She made every significant family gathering, especially those at the family home on Garfield Avenue, special, with her elegance and warmth making all feel treasured. Arden was a proud graduate of Loretto Abbey and kept in close contact with her classmates as the decades passed. She graduated with a B.A. in English in 1954 from St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto, followed by a journalism diploma from the University of Western Ontario, and a Master's, also in English, from the U of T. Prior to marriage in 1962, Arden worked in several newspaper and magazine positions. Her first job was as a police reporter for the Toronto Star. Arden loved music and earned an A.R.C.T. degree and a Licentiate from Trinity College, both in piano performance. For five decades, she taught piano with great joy. For this she is fondly remembered by many families in Moore Park and Leaside. She formed the Broadhurst Piano Studio, and was joined by several of her daughters, and two granddaughters. Arden was also an active member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association. Arden inspired in all her offspring a commitment to family, a love of education and learning, a strong sense of social responsibility, and a deep faith in the Church. Arden and Bill were both active and faithful members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish for over 50 years. Family members extend our warmest thanks to The Briton House and to the dedicated caregivers who helped to look after Mom so tenderly. The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville) on Friday, August 25th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, 78 Clifton Road, Toronto, on Saturday, August 26th at 11:00 a.m., followed immediately by burial at Mount Hope Cemetery. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Street Haven at the Crossroads, founded in the 1960s by Arden's dear friend, Peggy Ann Walpole (www.streethaven.org/). Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.
Published online August 23, 2023
Jean Scott Collins (March 29, 1922 - Feb 3, 2022)
In loving memory of Jean Scott Collins (nee Walwin) who passed away peacefully on Feb. 3 at Kelowna General Hospital.
Jean Walwin was born on March 29, 1922 in Nashville, Ont. and grew up in Janetville, Whitby and Richmond Hill. She graduated with a BA from Victoria College, University of Toronto, in 1942, and went on to teach in Welland, Arnprior and Fenwick until her marriage to William George Collins in 1947.
The young couple settled in East Toronto.
In addition to being and homemaker and becoming a young mother, Jean achieved her teacher’s certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Music.
In 1958, the family moved to their home on Pine Crescent.
Soon after, Jean embarked on her long career teaching piano and music to countless students, finally retiring in her early 1990s.
Jean was an active and long-time member of the United Church Women (UCW) and the congregations of both Bellefair United Church and later Beach United Church. Jean lived an active and full life of service and community participation.
She has been honoured for her long membership, dedication and valuable contributions to the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association. Jean was also a leader in the formation of Affordable Housing East and served on the board until retiring in her 90s.
In June of 2019, Jean and Bill moved to Kelowna, B.C. It was only recently that old age and its related issues impacted Jean’s life and health.
Jean is survived by her husband of 75 years, Bill (Sr.), her children Marni and Bill (Jr.), her sisters Margaret McClure and Mary Seagrave, and daughters-in-law Dianne Clark and Kyra Struve Collins.
She will be missed by her grandchildren Christine Nikiforuk, Matthew and Michael Collins, and her great grandchildren Minah, Kaeden and Atticus Collins.
“Aunt Jean” is also remembered by her numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Jean was pre-deceased by her sister Ann Stevens, her beloved granddaughter Emma Marie Collins, and most recently, her youngest son Daniel (Dan). Following her wishes, cremation has taken place. If you wish to honour Jean and her life, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.
Juanne Hemsol (June 14,1930-September 24th, 2022)
With deep sorrow and sadness we announce the passing of Juanne (June Diana) Hemsol (nee Martin) in her 93rd year at Toronto Western Hospital the morning of Sept 24, 2022 continuing with her political advocacy right to the end and playing her singing of Edelweiss on YouTube Angelina Isac and the Golden Trio Forever Love Edelweiss featuring Juanne Hemsol – YouTube to hospital staff. Juanne is pre-deceased by her late husband, Geoffrey Maxfield Hemsol, (Max), infant daughter Susan (1959), mother Gladys Martin, (nee Shutler) father, Walter Martin, sister Delphine Martin, of Eastbourne, England, sister in law, Jacqueline Margaret Hemsoll of Cromer, England, brother-in-law Eric Hemsoll and artist wife Eileen Hemsoll, (nee Cashmore) of Birmingham, England.
Juanne is survived by her daughter, Yvon Helen Hemsol, her cousin Jenny Lacy, of Lulworth England, her nephew David Hemsoll, (Deborah), of Birmingham England, her Niece Claire Dreyer (JM) of France, and her niece Paulina Hemsoll of Norwich, England and cousin June Bowen in Australia.
June Diana (Juanne) attended King Edward High School for Girls, (KE), Birmingham, England, making lifelong friends there. She attended Birmingham Repertory Theatre (certificate 1951), Aston University, Business Admin, (Diploma 1950) in addition to professional singing. She continued singing and love of music all of her life.
She met her husband, Geoffrey Maxfield Hemsoll, via her future sister in law Jacqueline Margaret playing tennis, marrying Geoffrey Maxfield, (Max) Hemsoll November 15, 1952 then immigrating to Canada.
A turning point in Juanne’s life was the realization of the need to protect the community and thus forming of the South Eglinton Ratepayers and Resident’s Association (SERRA) in 1965 including editing “the OWL” newsletter. From that she was Founder and President of The Central Eglinton Planning Committee, President of CORRA, the Ravine subcommittee, Waterfront Committee, Harbourfront Review Committee, Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, Community Economic Development, city of York, Small Business Support Task Force, City of York, and many many political and advocacy activities.
Juanne was a lifelong learner and a mentor to many. Never did she stop learning and seeking information, following the world and community around her, with her deep commitment to universal welfare, leading her to a lifetime of community involvement and advocacy. The impact of growing up in war torn Britain left a profound determination in her. From Ryerson she received a diploma in public relations (1970) and Certificate in Marketing Management (1980). Juanne proudly received her A.R.C.T. (Speech Arts and Drama, teacher) Royal Conservatory of Toronto in 1976 and Licentiate, Trinity College, London, England Performer’s Diploma, effective speaking, 1982. Learning continued with a certificate in Reflexology, Holt school, 1986, and TESL certificate, Humber College (1990) at age sixty.
Like her education, her employment had a wide range, and was intertwined with her volunteerism for the community and Toronto; Organizer, Canadian Red Cross (1970-73), City of Toronto Planning Board (1971-1979) including Chairman–the only women to hold the position, Centre for Community Living (1976-77), Blisssymbolics Communications, Director (1977-80), Business Development Centre, General Manager commencing in 1982 and the creation of Juanne Hemsol Communications—the spring board for her proofreading, editing, singing with the Annex Trio, Bens’ International teaching, York West Seniors, and teaching English as A Second Language, and Speech and Drama. She continued to teach into her late 80’s. Retirement was not a word in Juanne’s vocabulary—she lived life to the fullest.
She enjoyed music and singing, gardening, nature, camping, village life, Farmers Markets, our wonderful cats, and dog Samson, swimming in a lake, (which she did until age 88), nature, the local neighbourhood, her home and piano, many concerts she sang and recited at, the fun of the “Pick Up Players” with the James family, (of which she was director and actor), and time with family, our wonderful friends, who are really like our extended family, and our neighbours.
Juanne managed all she achieved, while also having Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, (also known as Environmental Hypersensitivity), for 40 years followed by asthma; even in her recent courageous battle, with heart failure, she continued to do advocacy by phone or letter whenever she could. Her long time health team provided profound care, insight and dedication in their respective field; Dr K Kerr. MD for 35 years, until Jan. 2022, (semi-retired), Dr Alexander Sandy Wood ND DC for over 30 years (deceased), Dr.E Lilker, (deceased), David Slabotsky RMT, (retired) for 40 years, Jana Prevratska, PT & DOMP, (retired), Marian Fennessy, RMT, Dr Lucus Bozinovski, ND & DC, Dr. J Belcastro, DC, Celia Rojas, PT, Yellow Gazebo Natural Health Centre, and Cliffside Chiropractic. We gratefully acknowledge the care and support of Home and Community Care Support Services Toronto Central, Juanne’s co-ordinators, her immensely dedicated PSW’s and nurse during recent years. And the care and support of friends and their healing prayers. Without this care Juanne Hemsol would not have lived to age 92.
Aquacremation has taken place and internment will be in Fenelon Falls Cemetery, November 6th. A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer in Toronto.
Donations may be made in memory of Juanne Hemsol to:
The South Eglinton Ratepayers and Residents’s Association (SERRA), which Juanne founded and always cherished. Now renamed SEDRA reflecting now amalgamated Toronto. Can be made by debit, credit or through Paypal. now SEDRA
Fenelon Falls Muesum (where Juanne spent many a happy time enjoying music, culture, history, and nature), by e-transferring curator@maryboro.ca. Or cheque Maryboro Lodge Museum, Box 179, 50 Oak Street, Fenelon Falls, ON K0M1N0
The Land Between Organization The Land Between is a National Charity #805849916RR0001. Working to preserve the last wilderness landscape in southern Ontario
Offer Condolence for the family of Juanne (June Diana) Hemsol (nee Martin)