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Obituary
Our mother’s Journey is Complete. We are grateful she stayed with us for as long as she did and we are sad to say our last farewell. Our family’s matriarch, Shirley Beth Waite, passed away at 96. Beloved wife of the late Rev. Clifford F. Waite (1992). She will be lovingly remembered by her family: Stephen (Gayle Colling), Chris (Rick Kichler), Peter (Cheryl-deceased 2004), Janice (Fred Smith), and Sandee. She will be missed by her Grandchildren: Alex and Danielle, David (Aubyn) and Emily (Zebb); Jean Denis Noel (Annie), Laura (Ryan) and Abigail and greatgrandchildren, Laurent and Pascal, Sophia, and Finn. Predeceased by two sisters, Mabel Hutchinson (Jack) and Nancy Edmondson (David). Survived by her two remaining siblings, Eleanor Gretsky (Ed- 2021) and Arthur Holder (Carol) as well as brother-in-law, Jim and sister-in-law, June, along with many nieces and nephews.
Born to hard working farmers (Thomas and Jeanette Holder) outside of Paris, the eldest of five children, Beth learned to work hard on the farm, as was required through the depression years. In her final year at Paris High School, she received a scholarship to McMaster University (Hons. BA Eng/History) which allowed her to expand her horizons and subsequently meet her husband, Clifford Waite, to whom she was married in 1950. A Bachelor of Library Science was obtained at U of Toronto, 1952.
One of our mother’s primary roles, in this life, was to be a steady support and organizer to Clifford, a long-time United Church minister, high school teacher, and speaker. She mastered the art of efficiently packing and moving a household, with 5 kids in tow, as the family made their way from one ministerial charge to the next, too many to mention. She was always very involved in the congregational life of the United Church and became a Lifelong Member of the UCW. She was a great advocate of higher education and an enthusiastic participant/leader in the University Women’s Club of Norfolk for many years. She celebrated 55 years of commitment to the MacMaster University Alumni and maintained those connections until the end.
Simcoe was where she was able to set down some roots for some years and she volunteered in various capacities in the community and was committed to Old Windham United Church. Always a Toronto Maple Leaf’s Fan!
She instilled in her children a love of reading and an interest in continuous learning. She and Cliff were well travelled – her last major trip was to Thailand/Cambodia when she was 80.
Beth was always the link between family members, keeping everyone apprised of what was going on in the extended family-we will miss that.
With grateful hearts we thank the caring staff at Norfolk Pinery at Norview who tended to her needs.
Beth was grateful to the Minister, Pastoral Committee, and UCW at the former Old Windham United Church for their faithful visits and cards.
Friends are invited to visit on Friday February 17th, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ferris Funeral Home, 214 Norfolk St. S., Simcoe. (519-426-1314) Beth’s funeral will be held on Saturday February 18th, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. from Colborne Village United Church (formerly Old Windham United Church), 30 Glendale Cres. Simcoe. Reverend David Love officiating. A private family interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Lynedoch at a later date.
If so desired, donations can be made to the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada. Online condolences may be made at www.ferrisfuneral.com
October 13 1926 February 15 2023
Death notice for the town of: Simcoe, Province: Ontario
death notice Shirley Beth Waite October 13 1926 February 15 2023
obituaries notice Shirley Beth Waite October 13 1926 February 15 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Shirley Beth Waite October 13 1926 February 15 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
