Peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton, ON, February 24, 2011, beloved wife of the late Beverly Alvin Allaby (1987).
Predeceased by parents, Clarence and Gertrude Walker; brother, Clair (1917); and sister, Reta Saunders (2007) (Edmund).
Survived by children, Helen Beverley and Roy Turner (Hamilton, ON), Blaine Allaby (Clementsport, NS), Debbie and Tim Trower (Waterloo, ON); grandchildren, Don and Jill Turner (Caledonia, ON), Mary and John Grosso (Carlisle, ON), Susan Allaby (Canmore, AB), David and Amanda Allaby (Amherst, NS), Ashley Trower and James McBeth (Kitchener, ON) and Evan Trower (Waterloo, ON). Beloved “Gramma-great” to Joshua and Matthew Turner, Joseph and Megan Grosso, Julia and Matthew Allaby; dear aunt of Joanne and John Hughes, and their daughters, Jennifer, Sarah and Nathan Kenny, Stephanie, Natasha and Naomi, all of NS;
sister-in-law, Julia Allaby (Mactaquac, NB); many nieces and nephews on the Allaby side.
Also cherished by Kay MacDonald (Hamilton, ON), Judith Cleveland (Port Mouton, NS) and Mary McTier (Langley, BC).
Verna was born in the family home in Midland, New Brunswick and lived in the Maritimes until 1954 when the family moved to Hamilton, where she lived for 57 years. She loved playing the organ and piano. She was a Life Member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was organist at the Rosedale Chapter #131 for many years. Verna was a member of Trinity Baptist Church for 50 years, then Harmony Baptist Church. She had a special place in her heart for every member of her family and her friends were friends for life. Verna blessed all those who knew and loved her with warm companionship, a sharp wit, and unfailing humour, charitable acceptance of life’s many challenges and an unswerving faith. Her baking was legendary, and she could discuss politics or hockey with equal ease. The void she leaves behind will be filled with wonderful memories of the wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother and friend that she was.
The family would like to thank the staff of St. Joseph’s Hospital and Palliative Care Unit and St. Joseph’s Care Centre Stoney Creek dialysis unit, for their devoted care and support.
Visitation at M.A. Clark & Sons Funeral Home, 567 Upper Wellington Street, Hamilton, Monday, February 28, 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Please join us for a celebration of her life in a service at Harmony Baptist Church, 1763 Upper James Street, Hamilton at 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 1.
Memorials: Harmony Baptist Church, Kidney Foundation of Canada, Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.