Ellen Rose BUTLER

HEMMING-STRNAD, Ellen Rose (Nee Butler) - Born November 22, 1930 - Passed May 2, 2007 - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Mother, Ellen Rose Hemming (nee Butler) in her 77th year on Wednesday, May 2, 2007, after a valiant but brief fight with brain cancer. Mom was also a breast cancer survivor from 2002. Ellen Hemming was predeceased by our father, Edmund Hemming and became the loving spouse of James Strnad (courted from 1982 until marriage in 1999). Also, predeceased by daughter-in-law Anne Hemming (nee Groden - deceased). Loving sister to George Butler of Sidmouth, Devon, England and predeceased by her sister, Ruby Trinder; Ellen leaves behind a number of English cousins, nieces and nephews. Ellen was the adoring Mother of Stuart (Mary), Susan (Tony), Stephen (Cheryl), Anthony (Lisa), Brian (Karen), Andrew (Janet), Joseph (deceased), Derek (Luann), Janet (John) and Tracey (Rob), special Grandmother to 26 grandchildren and very special Great-Grandmother to 1, soon to be 2. Ellen was also the beloved Stepmother to Mike (Brenda), Pam and Cheryl. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Sauriol and the VON Grey- Bruce (Drew, Linda and Barb). Friends may call at FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME, THE VALLEY CHAPEL, 20 Alice Street East, Thornbury, Ontario on Friday, May 4 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. A celebration of Ellen's Life will be conducted at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Bruce Street, Thornbury on Saturday, May 5, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. with Reverend Dr. Robert Buchanan officiating. We wish to recognize our sister, Susan for her tireless effort in caring for Mother throughout her illness and providing a rock upon which we all sought refuge when it became clear that this was not to have a happy outcome. Doubtless, we could not have made it through without her professionally providing the palliative tender care needed to make the end as comfortable and with the dignity deserving of the woman who nurtured and raised us all. And though in this sad time, Jim has graciously borne the press of our (at times) overwhelming presence and support for Mother and their love for each other, we, as a family also love them both dearly and our lives are brightened by their presence and Mom's passing amongst us all. Our Mother and Jim's wife was a wonderful, loving, graceful woman who will be sadly missed by all . . . gone but always lovingly remembered. As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated. If you wish to send flowers, it would be Mother's wish that they might be of a type that could be planted in Mom and Jim's garden and that the garden will be a reminder of her presence for all of their dear friends, family and children to come. 10639041