On Friday, May 13, 2005, ellzabeth “Bessie” (McEwen) Boyd of Seaforth, Ontario and ZoIfo Springs, FIorida, in her 94th year. BeIoved wife of the Iate CharIes Boyd (1989). Dear mother of Ruth and Ross Fisher, Goderich, Beth and Joe WaIton, Barrie, and Barbara and Ted Bergey, Mississauga. Grandmother of six grandchiIdren and six great-grandchiIdren. AIso survived by sisters Jean McEwen and Marjorie Broadfoot and husband John. Predeceased by her parents Alexander and Minnie (Weir) McEwen and sisters Marion Iaramie and EIeanor RunnaIIs. After graduation from CIinton collegiate Institute, Bessie trained as a nurse at Victoria HospitaI in Iondon. She married CharIie Boyd in 1934, and together they farmed on the 12th Iine of McKiIIop Township untiI their retirement. They farmed well and they reIaxed in styIe. From traiIers to motor homes, they ranged wideIy over North America together. Iater Bessie enjoyed the British IsIes with famiIy.
When Bessie moved to Seaforth, she enjoyed many senior activities, especiaIIy card pIaying and extended her wide circIe of friends.
Bessie found great pIeasure in gardening, baking, travellng and fishing. She kept a thorough diary ever since her training days as a nurse, and was an avid reader. She used her skills as a Ietter writer to keep in touch with friends and famiIy. Her greatest joy was expressed in caring for her famiIy.
She was proud to be a Iifetime member of the United Church Women and was active originaIIy in BetheI Church and Iater in Cavan United Church in Winthrop.
For 49 years she has wintered in FIorida where they buiIt a second Iife surrounded by IifeIong caring friends. There she attended the First United Methodist Church in WauchuIa. There were speciaI ceIebrations for their fiftieth wedding anniversary, and her 90th birthday within the southern church community. As a member of the Ada Parker CircIe she contributed her time and taIents to assist the eIder and chaIIenged members of Hardee County.
Music has aIways been an important eIement for the entire famiIy, and Bessie was a member of the WauchuIa Wednesday MusicaIe which promoted music appreciation and provided schoIarship support for taIented IocaI students.
Friends wiII be received at the Whitney-Ribey FuneraI Home, 87 Goderich Street West, Seaforth on Wednesday from 3-5 and 7-9 pm, where the funeraI service wiII be heId Thursday, May 19 at 2:00 pm. Mr. Bruce Whitmore wiII officiate. PaIIbearers wiII be PauI Fisher, Chuck ‘Andy’ WaIton, Brice Wesingi, David Gunn, Merton Hackwell and Bob Broadfoot. Honorary PaIIbearers wiII be Dr. EIver Hodges, Dr. Dick Gray, NyIe ‘Sonny’ EImer and John Broadfoot. FIower bearers wiII be Ana Fisher, Sharon Bergey and Heather KeIso. Interment MaitIandbank Cemetery, Seaforth.
MemoriaI donations to Cavan United Church, Winthrop, First United Methodist Church, WauchuIa, FIorida, Heart & Stroke Foundation or Canadian Cancer Society wouId be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
CondoIences at www.whitneyribeyfuneraIhome.com
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Bess & James Stallings
To Ruth Fisher: We just returned after a 12-day trip and were saddened to hear about the passing of your Mother. However, heaven has now been brightened even more with her presence.
We will be praying for you in the days ahead. Much love to you and your special family.
Dr. & Mrs. Elver M. Hodges
Dear Friends,
Ruth, Debbie and I join in sending you our fond thoughts in this time of loss.
Love,
Elver & Ruth and Debbie Boyd
Jordan, Justin and Ryan Poppe
“I am sorry that your mom died. I will really miss her. She taught me how to play checkers and we both loved to read. She was one of my good friends.” (Jordan, 11 years old)
“We liked to come over to Mrs. Boyd&&single&&s in the spring and summertime. We missed her when she was in Florida for the winter. We liked baking cookies with her. We liked talking to her when she was weeding her flower beds. ” (Justin, 9 years old)
“I knew Mrs. Boyd my whole life. She wrote us letters from Florida. I liked her a lot.” (Ryan, 7 years old)
God bless,
The Poppe Family
Amanda, Don, Jordan, Justin, Ryan and Grayce Poppe
Dear Ruth, Beth, Barbara and Families,
To say your dear mother touched our life doesn&&single&&t even begin to share the impact she had! It might be better to say she touched our heart, our spirit, our soul…
Every year when the spring dawns and the flowers bloom, our hearts will remember her love and her spirit…
We loved her dearly and will miss her dearly.
Our thoughts and our prayers are with you at this time.
Sincerely,
The Poppe Family
Music Ministry First United Methodist, Wauchula, Florida
Ruth and family…please know that we share your sorrow in the loss Mrs. Bessie…our prayers are that God will comfort and guide you all through this time of change…our hearts are with you…we love you and we miss you…she will be missed in our church and community.
Jennie B. Weis
Sympathy
Our sincere sympathy is with you today
in this time of sorrow.
Remember God is the truth, the way
He alone can help you face tomorrow.
Have faith to believe He is by your side,
always loving and wanting to be your guide.
May He bless you in your future plans,
as you walk with Him hand in hand.
(posted by D.Gray) 1977 Jennie B. Weis
Mary Anne McNichol
We send our deepest sympathy to Bessie&&single&&s family. She was a great lady and a very hard worker. She always talked lovingly about all her family.
Mary Anne McNichol and Family
(Purchaser of your farm)
Patricia McQuillan (Patsy Lane)
Ruth, sorry to read about your Mother in the London paper. When I saw the name and then your name and Beth&&single&&s it brought back a lot of fond memories of Seaforth High.
Leigh Price
I would like to express my condolences to the entire family on behalf of my mother Barb and myself. I have such fond memories of summer trips with Barb, Ted and Sharon to Ruth&&single&&s cottage when I was younger. And on those trips we always got to stop by and see “Grandma” Boyd. I remember one day her following me around trying to convince me to cover up or put sunscreen on. She was so concerned that I did not get sunburned and have to spend the week in pain. She was always laughing and helping Sharon and I get into trouble. I loved the fact that she talked to us like real people instead of annoying kids.
Although I had not seen her for a long time I often thought of her with a smile and enjoyed being considered part of the clan. The Bergeys were really there for Mom and I 2 months ago when we lost my Dad and we would like to extend the same. We are there for you and whatever you need just say the world.
My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family. Always remember the good times and know how much Bessie was loved.
Leigh Price and Jim Hunt
John, Ruth, Erin & Jonathan Merkley
Dear Barb, Ted & Sharon
Our family wishes to extend our deepest sympathy at the sudden loss of your dear Mother. May the love and support from friends and family as well as all the fond memories comfort you in the weeks ahead.
Our thoughts are with you.
The Merkleys
Julie Cradder-Thompson
Having listened to stories about Mrs. Boyd since meeting her 16 years ago, I marvelled at her courage, looking on the bright side and living such an independant lifestyle. She was a role model many of us can learn from. I will miss those stories. Sincerely Julie Cradder-Thompson
Kay Wentzell
My love to all of you at this time. You will have a big void to fill and it will take time, I&&single&&m sure. You had a wonderful mother and friend and she will be missed. (More later.) May God be with you now and always. Sincerely, Kay Wentzell
Kate & Wayne Jones
Barbara, Ruth and Beth and families:
Though we only met Bessie occasionally when she visited Barbara, Ted and Sharon, our whole family loved the stories of this brave and wonderful spirit you had the privilege of calling “mom” and “grandma”. You know our love and prayers are with you always, Kate & Wayne
Dr. R. C. (Dick) Gray
Ruth, Beth, Barb and family:
I will always remember Bessie. She was one of the most kind, witty and lovely people I have ever known. Thanks to her and Hurricane Charley, I have found meaning in life once more. My visit with Bessie and all of you in Ontario last September was one of the highlights of my recent years.
I am proud to have had Bessie as a friend, even if she did tell me to “shut up and eat your apple pie, I&&single&&m tired of setting on this hard kitchen chair!”
Dick
Gordon & Irma Pryce
Our sincerest sympathy to all the family. We will miss your Mom&&single&&s smile at church on Sunday morning. She always had some cheery comment. Sincerely Gordon & Irma Pryce
Heather Kelso
Dearest Ruth, Beth and Barbara and families:
Words cannot begin to express my sympathies towards your families right now. Bessie was a wonderful woman, who dearly cherished her children and families. Her eyes would light up whenever talking about any of you.
Today every memory I have of Bessie has gone through my mind, and every memory brings a smile to my face. She was truly a gift to me – in so many ways. I will always remember her whenever I am eating “Jif” peanut butter!
Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers at this time of grief, and that she will always be remembered with a smile.
With our sympathies and love,
Heather & Bryan, Hayden, Jessica and Jared Kelso