Obituary of Elsie May Whatley
WHATLEY: Elsie M.
Elsie May Whatley passed away peacefully at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Thursday March 1, 2018 in her 96th year. Beloved wife and best friend of the late John Whatley (d. 2010), Mum will be dearly missed by her children Donald (Natalie) of Mississauga, Joan Priestman (John) of Kelowna, Richard (Martha) of Lakefield and Gordon (Sherry) of Halifax. Cherished grandma of Alison and Gregory Priestman; Jennifer Cartwright (Richard) and the late Alex Whatley (d.2009); and Ben (Caitlin), Ian (Brittany), Graeme (Christina), and Julia Whatley. Also loving great grandma (“GG”) to Andrew and Daniel Cartwright. Dear sister of Ruth Repp (Al). Also missed by her sister-in-law Joy (Ron). Elsie will always be fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews in Western Canada. Predeceased by her parents Arthur and Viola Johnson and her brothers Ronald and Wray (Evelyn) Johnson.
More than anything, it was Elsie’s positive approach that drew people to her and inspired love and admiration in everyone she met. Her over-the-top-laugh, sense of fairness, ability to listen, apple pie and butter tarts, and love for family were legendary. Elsie’s children depended on her wisdom and counsel, and her grandchildren each enjoyed a deep and unique bond with her. From the age of six, it was music that tied the strands of her life together, a passion that ultimately led to her achieving an ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music the year she turned eighty. It is difficult to imagine a world without Elsie in it. Members of her beloved family feel blessed to have had her in their lives for as long as they did, and will hold her in their hearts forever.
A funeral service will be held at the HENDREN FUNERAL HOMES, LAKEFIELD CHAPEL, 66 Queen Street, Lakefield on Saturday May 5th, 2018 at 1:00 PM. Visitation 2 hours prior to the service. A reception will follow in the Heritage Room of the Funeral Home. Interment at Hillside Cemetery, Lakefield. Memorial donations may be made to Parkinson Society Canada or Autism Ontario as expressions of sympathy, and may be made by contacting the funeral home at www.hendrenfuneralhome.com or by calling 706-652-3355.
Find Us
