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Barbara passed away peacefully with family on February 4 of 2021 in her 95th year. A long awaited celebration of her life will be held on June 24, 2021 (she and her deceased husband, Vern’s, wedding anniversary date).

A true Niagara Peninsula native, Barbara was born on May 26, 1926 and was one of the first babies born in the then new St. Catharines hospital. She grew up in Thorold and Welland with her older brother Edward (Ed) and younger brother Robert (Bob). Her father, Edward, was an engineer on the Welland Canal and she would often recall many trips to see its construction and operation as a child. On hot summer days she and her brothers would swim in the canal-between the passing ships and lakers. In her teen years, she volunteered as a Farmerett in Vineland. Soon after she went to college in Toronto. Upon graduation was hired by the Connaught Laboratories in Toronto. There she met and married her husband, Vernon St. Clair Simpson, had three daughters (Rosemary, Janet, Katharine) and then in 1955 moved to Fonthill, where a son (William) was born a few years later to complete the family.

Barbara was an excellent seamstress, avid reader, sailor, clever card player, knitter (the entire family and several friends all boast ownership of warm wool socks!), letter writer and on occasion-poet. She was a quiet loving force, the heart and soul of any gathering she attended. Her generosity and sweet caring nature were legendary to all who knew her.

Barbara took an active role in her community. She was on the Fonthill Library Board ensuring a new library was built, was instrumental in the long running success of the Pelham Art Council’s annual show and an avid volunteer and strong supporter of her church-Holy Trinity Church in Fonthill. She participated in executive roles with Anglican Church Women, Girl Guides of Canada, the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, the Canadian Needle Arts Guild, the (McKeevers) Owl Foundation, the Cancer Society and local hospitals. She and Vern were enthusiastic world travelers, often venturing into the unbeaten path and enjoyed wintering in Mexico for the last 25 years.

She will always be remembered for her grace, dignity, life wisdom and all encompassing affection. She was strong, kind, a teacher of compassion, a beacon of love and always there when you needed her. She was the epitome of a life well lived and will always be in our hearts.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Barbara Simpson on June 24th, 2021 from 1:30pm to 5pm at Lampman Funeral Home, 724 Canboro Rd, Fenwick, ON. Due to Covid-19 restrictions those wishing to attend are asked to book your time slot on the Lampman Funeral Home website under Barbara’s obituary. www.lampmanfuneralhome.com

Dr J. Ronald Dowd, age 84, died peacefully surrounded by his family on May 27, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Judith Dowd (née Sauder), his children Sharon, Stephen, Jason (wife

Christine), his grandchildren, Joseph and Erika, his sister Joyce (née Dowd) Lenz Gurtner and her extended family.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Red Cross (https://www.redcross.ca/donate) or

United Way (https://www.unitedway.ca).

If you want to know about a place, you talk to the people of that place. Dr. Ron Dowd was of Fenwick, Welland and the surrounding Niagara region. His family settled

here in the 1940s. His father, Dr Joe Dowd, taking over the practice from his brother, decided to raise his family here. Ron Dowd got his ice cream, more than once, from the Green Lantern.

Spent his summers working on Minor’s farm in Wainfleet. Played baseball with his brother Richard. Followed his older sister, Joyce everywhere. Nicknamed Doc, along with his two older

siblings as Duchess and Duke. Learned to swim at the family cottage in Long Beach. Read books from the Fenwick public library. Learned about faith at Fenwick United Church.

Witnessed the peoples’ respect for his father, the service to the community and thought, “I want to help people too.”

Ron Dowd was part of the fabric of this community. He traveled away to learn about the world: seeing Europe at 18 to attend an International Red Cross conference, a medical degree at

Queen’s University, Ob/Gyn fellowship in Toronto, residency in Boston. But after the world, Niagara was home.

Now as Dr. Dowd, he established an Obstetrical/Gynecological practice that would stretch over 32 years. That practice saw babies delivered, cutting edge surgeries, health restored while

always advocating for women’s choices. Often patients would approach him to express their admiration whenever they would see him out in the community.

So, if you were born between 1969 to 2001 in either Welland County Hospital or Port Colborne Hospital, chances are you were one of 7000 babies Dr Dowd helped guide into the world. If you

were a patient during that time, you will remember that he listened to you, supported your choices for health without moral judgement and tried to ensure the speculum was warm. For

those doctors and nurses that worked with Ron Dowd, I hope you got to witness his surgical techniques and his great laugh.

Perhaps you were part of the church congregation at Fonthill United Church from 1995 to 2018 or Central United Church (Welland) from 1967 to 1995. I expect you would have heard Ron

Dowd’s opinion on fiscally responsible decisions for church maintenance, explorations of faith and the quality of the minister’s sermons.

If you sold calves, horses, chickens, tractors or hay from 1975 to 2000, chances are you helped Dr. Dowd build his farm. You might have even earned some summer cash putting up hay,

building fences or training and showing his horses. If you were our neighbour, you definitely saw a few of our cows or the odd horse in your yard, loose from the paddocks, needing to be

led home.

Maybe you came to know Ron Dowd as one of the longest serving members of the Lookout Golf and Country Club (1970 to 2020). Whether you played with him or against him, I hope you

envied his low handicap, heard his encouragement of a good shot and accepted his generosity at the 19th hole. If you sailed out of Niagara-on-the-Lake in the early 1970’s, you would have

seen him at the helm of his beloved C&C sailboat.

Perhaps you were a snowbird, wintering in Bonita Springs, FL, from 1991 to 2016, and you have played golf with him. You may have even met him on the deck of a cruise liner, met his wife

Judith as together you saw icebergs in Alaska or castles in Germany or historical sites all over the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas.

If you ever met Ron Dowd, he would have asked your name, where you grew up, and tell you an anecdote about something you had in common. He might have told you about his family:

how he met his wife of over 55 years, how he gave us horses to ride, a strong work ethic, golf lessons, fishing lessons, sailing lessons, how smart his children were, the achievements that

made him proud, a really bad joke and encouragement to explore the world outside our hometown. Above all, a respect for others because there’s always something you can learn.

Dr. Ron Dowd built a life anyone would envy. I hope you got to be a part of his wonderful life.

Visitation will be held at Lampman Funeral Home, 724 Canboro Rd, Fenwick on June 5^th, 2021 from 1pm-7pm.  Please call the funeral home at 905-892-4701 from Monday, May 31st to Friday, June 4^th between the hours of 10am-1pm to book an appointment. A Celebration of Life will be held once pandemic restrictions are lifted.

www.lampmanfuneralhome.com

On May 18th, 2021, we lost a dear wife, mother, oma and great oma. Hilda went quietly in the night to be with God. She leaves behind her husband Henry, her children Joanne (Chris), Grace, Don (Mel) and Rebecca. She is survived by nine grandchildren, three great grandchildren, her two sisters and one brother. Predeceased by Larry Woudstra.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to a Christian school of one’s choice or a charity of one’s choice would be greatly appreciated.

It is with saddened hearts that we announce the passing of our father, John (Jack) Leadley on May 11, 2021 at the age of 84. Dad is survived by his daughters Susan (Russ), Tammy (Don) and his sister Audrey Chambers, sisters-in-law Sharon Culig, Joan Windatt and Paula Leadley and brothers-in-law Doug McCauley and John Bell. He is predeceased by his wife Winnie (2012), son in law Rick Begin (2014), infant son John (1978), brother Tom Leadley (Doreen), brother Ted Leadley (Alice) and brother-in-law Bill Chambers. Dad will be missed by many nieces and nephews.

Dad was born to Jean (Wheeler) and Earl Leadley on June 29, 1936 and was the youngest of four children. Growing up in the Effingham area, he enjoyed fishing and hunting with his good friend Ardell Beckett. His love for the outdoors continued with vegetable gardening at his home on Quaker Road as well as seasonal camping in the Peterborough area.

Dad worked at the Atlas Steel Company in Welland from 1955 until his retirement in 2001. After retiring he filled his new found time with coin collecting, stamp collecting, and enjoyed lots of time with mom at their trailer home on Pigeon Lake.

Many thanks to the caregivers who helped our family during the past year, Corissa, Michelle, Teri-Lynn and Eleanor. Your love and concern for our dad is so deeply appreciated! We would also like to thank Dr. Janzen, the staff at Plymouth Cordage, the staff at Royal Rose and those caregivers from Mind Ourselves and Right At Home.

A family service is being held on Saturday, May 15 with interment at Lane’s Cemetery.
Memorial donations would be appreciated by family to the Church of Christ in Fenwick (765 Welland Rd. L0S 1C0).

With broken hearts, we announce the sudden passing of David Russell Plain, our beloved husband, brother, uncle, and great uncle, on Saturday May 1^st at his home in his 73^rd year. Davey was predeceased by his parents Anne and Ted Plain, his brother Teddy Plain, his brother-in-law John Julian, brother-in-law Bob Burke, and nephew Cody Burke. This special soul warmed our hearts and is now our guardian angel. Loving husband to Helen (Burleigh) for 31 years, twin brother to Donald (Nancy) Plain, Kathy Julian, Sandra Fraser, Debbie Plain (Gary Lougheed), and Barbara Burke, son-in-law to Dexter Jarrott, and honorary brother Wayne Harris. The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost one of their biggest fans. Cremation has taken place, according to David’s wishes. Donations can be made in David’s name to the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy (https://www.ofcp.ca/donate). A celebration of David’s life will be held at a later date.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Lampman Funeral Home. www.lampmanfuneralhome.com.

We are sad to announce the sudden passing of Jason “Cam” Cameron Prentice on March 31st, 2021 at the age of 47. Loving father to Abigail “Abby” Prentice, special companion of Crystal, younger brother of Gerald (the late Lea Prentice) and cherished son of Barb and the late Gerald Prentice. He will be missed by his aunts, uncles, cousins and other extended family members as well as his many friends.

Cam was a member of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and participated on the family farm for his whole life.

In keeping with Cam’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of Cam’s life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.

www.heartandstroke.ca

We are sad to advise the passing of Shirley Ilene Hayward on March 18^th, 2021 in her 85^th year.  She is now reunited with her beloved husband Leroy.  Loving Mom of Susan (Brian) Stayzer and Scott (Gayle) Hayward. Very much-loved Gram to Robin (Drew) Alakas, Jade Hayward, Krystal (Keith) Hayward and Brock and Kelsey Donald.  Special Great-Gram to Emily, Chelsea, Colton, Ethan and Theo. Shirley will be missed by her brothers Larry (Rosalee) Robbins and Garth (Betty) Robbins. In keeping with Shirley’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

A private family service will take place at a later date.

Memorial donations made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Lampman Funeral Home.

With great sadness we announce the passing away of Eleanor Fisher on March 8, 2021, at the age of 98. She was predeceased by her husband Orlin Fisher, son Jerry Fisher, daughter Violet Fisher and son in law Arthur Charbonneau. Eleanor is survived by dear friend Jim Edsall, daughter Shirley Charbonneau, son Larry Fisher and wife Dana. Eleanor will be missed by Grandchildren, Daniel Charbonneau, Kim & Tyler Shouldice, Michael & Dominique Charbonneau, Shelley Fisher & Bill Cowell, Wendy Mercier & Ron Lalande, Tara & Lenny Wiley, Marnie & David Clyne, Eva & Martin Bergeron. Great Grandchildren, Nathan Panadabko, Ashley, Sandra & William Cowell, Kassandra Gagne, Alexandria Mercier, Haley & Lenny Jr. Wiley, Rhaya, Bailey & James Clyne.

Eleanor loved life, was involved in Fenwick United Church, Pelham Seniors, Pelham Cares, organized Christmas Baskets, Butler Rangers U.E., Rebekah Lodges, sang with the Velvetones.

Eleanor will be sadly missed.

The family thanks the nurses and staff at the Extended Care Unit in Welland for their exceptional care and compassion given to Mom. Donations to Fenwick United Church or ECU Resident Council c/o Niagara Health Foundation would be appreciated by the family.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 12th, 2021 at Lampman Funeral Home, 724 Canboro Rd, Fenwick from 1-5:15pm. Please call the funeral home at 905-892-4701 to make an appointment.