Obituary for
Ona Gardiner
Gardiner, Ona Isobel
On Saturday, October 20 at Northumberland Hills Hospital. Ona Isobel Gardiner. Beloved daughter of the late Richard (Dick) Gardiner and Ora Trull-Gardiner. Loving sister of the late Yvonne Carruthers (Alex), Joyce Atkinson (Jack), and twin brother Jim Gardiner (Ruth).
Ona never married or had children of her own but over time she became a “second mother” to her many nieces and nephews. She was the much loved aunt of Marion Carruthers-Manders (Larry), Karen Carruthers-Doherty (late Scott), Richard Gardiner, the late Cathy Carruthers-Wilson (Roger), Judy Atkinson-Huxter (Bernie), and John and Steven Atkinson; Great aunt of Brian (Sue) and Sheila Doherty, Mandy (Simon), Tammy, and Mark (Meghan) Huxter; great-great aunt of Owen, Tyler, Sarah, Dylan and Lindsay.
Ona was also the devoted and cherished lifelong friend and neighbour of Geraldine Morton-Smith (late Alan) and “Auntie Ona” to sons Doug (Ona’s Godson) and Paul.
Ona was born at home on January 22nd, 1922, in the village of Perrytown, minutes before her twin brother Jim and delivered by her Uncle, Dr. Alexander Carruthers Beatty. She was not expected to survive but was saved by her maternal grandmother who wrapped her in a blanket, and placed her in the warming oven of the family cook stove. She went on to thrive for another 96 years. Ona attributed her longevity to her sense of humour. She loved to recount the story of her birth and tell people that as a result of her grandmother’s ingenuity, she was probably “half baked”.
The Gardiner family moved to Campbellcroft and later settled on a farm, just west of the village of Garden Hill. Ona attended Beech Hill public school where she completed Grade 10 but, due to a lack of transportation, was unable to further her studies at High School in Port Hope. In 1895 Dr. Beatty had installed a telephone system in his Garden Hill home to better connect with his patients and in 1938 at the age of 16, Ona became the highly respected voice of “Central” for the Beatty Telephone System. She remained there, as the chief operator and bookkeeper, for almost 30 years.
Ona never travelled far from home except to visit her maternal Aunt Ethel in New York State. On several occasions she and her mother took the long -since- retired ferry from Cobourg, across Lake Ontario, to Rochester. In her lifetime she was witness to many world changes. She grew up during the Great Depression and saw her twin brother Jim enlist and serve in WWII. She marvelled at, and had the advantage of, the innovations in modern medicine. She saw travel by horse and buggy or Dr. Beatty’s Model-T Ford culminate in space launches and self-driving automobiles. She was especially awed by the evolution of communications from hand-cranked telephones and party lines to satellites, smart phones and the internet.
Throughout her life Ona was a prolific author, poet and journalist. Her numerous adventures as a telephone operator were recounted in her book “The Party Line” which subsequently formed the basis for the 1997, 4th Line Theatre production “Crow Hill (The Telephone Play)”. Ona appeared on stage, at the end of each performance to read her poem lamenting the sale of the telephone system to Bell Canada. Other poems, commissioned to celebrate hundreds of local weddings, baby showers, birthdays, anniversaries and numerous special community events have much historical value. This work has recently been published on a website and can be accessed through www.onamystory.ca.
An extremely important part of Ona’s life was her membership at St. Paul’s Anglican Church Perrytown where she sang in the choir for decades. In her youth she was a member of the Anglican Young People’s Association (AYPA), writing many skits and plays performed by the group for the enjoyment of friends and family. She later served for 16 years as Chair of Perrytown’s Anglican Church Women’s association (ACW) and she also wrote and published a history of the Church.
In 1968 when the Telephone System was sold to Bell Canada Ona retired and moved to Crooked Creek, north of Newtonville, where she served as housekeeper for folk singers Ian and Sylvia Tyson of 4 Strong Winds fame. Here she was privileged to meet some of the famous country music stars of the 1970’s.
Ona returned to the Garden Hill farm in 1973 to care for her ailing sister-in-law and to keep house for her brother Jim and nephew Richard. She joined the local Historical Society and was an active volunteer at Dorothy’s House Museum. When the family farm was sold she was invited to board with a recently widowed friend and neighbour, Edna Dean. It was here that Ona made a very special friend in Edna’s Llhasa-Apsa puppy, “King”. They quickly bonded, she taught him to say her name and he made sure she got out for long, daily walks.
Ona’s last home was Roseglen Village for Seniors in Port Hope where, for almost 10 years, she happily shared accommodations with many former neighbours and with good friends, old and new. She enthusiastically participated in their various activities, celebrations and programs.
On her behalf, Ona’s family wishes to thank everyone who took time to stay in touch through visits, telephone calls, cards, letters, photos and gifts, they brightened her days. We extend a special thankyou to Dr. Lino Durnate for his kindness and care and to the wonderful management, staff and residents at Roseglen for their comfort and support – she never stopped singing your praises. Thanks also to Northumberland Hills Hospital, Community Care Access, the VON and St. Elizabeth Health Care.
At Ona’s request a private, family service was held at Ross Funeral Chapel, Port Hope on Tuesday, October 23 followed by internment at Perrytown. In her memory, condolences may be extended, and in lieu of flowers, donations made, to St. Paul’s Anglican Church Perrytown, Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation, or to a charity of choice and may be received at www.rossfuneralchapel.com .
Ona’s family wish to invite her many relatives, friends and neighbours to join with them in sharing memories and celebrating her life will be held on November 17th, 2018 from 2 – 4 p.m. at Roseglen Village, 53 Wellington St., Port Hope.
She will live on through her writing.
To send flowers to the family of Ona Gardiner, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
Order Flowers
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Ona Isobel
Gardiner 1922 2018.
Décès pour la Ville: Port-Hope, Province: Ontario
