Drury Funeral Centre Ltd.

04/24/2026

The Irwin family is saddened to announce the peaceful passing of Thelma (Watson) in the stillness of the early morning on April 23, 2026 at the age of 100.

Thelma was predeceased by her husband Bill in 1998, her daughter Linda in 2016, her infant granddaughter Melissa, and the many friends and family members whom she outlived by a considerable margin.

Thelma leaves behind her beloved daughter Marilyn and son Paul along with her grandchildren Shelby, Jason and Derek. They in turn, blessed Thelma with great-grandchildren Connor (Shelby), Brooke and Levi (Jason). She adored them all. She gave us unconditional, generous love and asked for little in return.

Cherished sister of Vernon (D), Joan (Wally) and Murray (Mary).

The family is extremely grateful for the love, compassionate care and support she received from Riverwood Senior Living and to Dr. Jansen attending.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Thelma’s name to Stevenson Memorial Hospital or Matthews House.

We will honour mom’s request without any fuss, so there will be visitation on Friday, May 1 at Drury Funeral Centre from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., graveside service to follow at Angus Union Cemetery at 2 p.m.

04/22/2026

Peter Vanderpost
January 24, 1940 – April 20, 2026

Peter Vanderpost passed away suddenly on April 20, 2026, at the age of 86. Peter immigrated from Holland to Canada with his family in 1952. In 1959, he settled on a farm just outside Cookstown, Ontario. Peter and Carol sold the main farm in 2022 and moved across the road into a beautiful new house that they took great pride in.

Peter was a dairy farmer with first Holsteins and then Brown Swiss. He took immense pride in caring for all creatures on the farm, whether it was his cattle or his beloved miniature horses, as well as donkeys, alpacas, goats, and whatever else happened to catch his interest over the years. Farming was a lifelong passion. Even as he slowed down in recent years, he continued working on the farm to the very end.

Peter was a proud and active member of his community a long-time 4‑H leader, a devoted member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Alliston, he was hard working and generous and would help anyone in need. He was deeply respected by those around him.

Above all, Peter was known for his great sense of humour and his love of a good laugh. His warmth, kindness, and easygoing nature brought joy to family, friends, and neighbours alike.

Peter is lovingly remembered by his wife, Carol, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage. He was a devoted father to Janet, Gerry (Mary), and Jim (Marnie), and a proud grandfather to Kaitlyn and Isabelle.

He was also a dear brother to the late Leonard (W***y), the late Maria Dol (late Joe), the late Hank (Betty), the late John (Cheryl), and survived by his brother Jake (late Anne). Peter will be fondly remembered by his brothers- and sisters-in-law: the late Tom Walsh (late Mary), the late Anne Marie Walsh, the late John Walsh (Maureen), the late Ed Walsh, Catherine Mundy (late Wayne), and Margaret McGibbon (Jeff) as well as many nieces, nephew, and extended family.

Peter lived a full life. He never made a fuss about the good he did — he just did it. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Visitation will be held at Drury Funeral Centre 519 Victoria St. E., Alliston on Sunday April 26, 2026 from 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Church 190 King St. S., Alliston on Monday April 27, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Interment St. Paul’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Matthews House Hospice Alliston would be appreciated.

04/21/2026

MORRIS, Clifford Joseph Francis
September 25, 1943 – April 16, 2026

We are heartbroken to announce the sudden passing of Cliff Morris, in his 83rd year, at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ontario.

He was the beloved and devoted husband of 54 years to Carol Morris (Creswell) and cherished father of Shawn (Jennifer) and Melissa (Stan). He was the adored Poppa to his four grandchildren: Matthew, Avery, Abigail and Makayla.

He was pre-deceased by his parents, Martin and Martha (Kealey) Morris of Low, Quebec and his brother, Michael.

As the eldest of sixteen children, he is survived by his remaining siblings: Helen (Baz), Shirley Ann (Howie), Evelyn (Dominic), Jim (Karen), Gerard (Bharti), Leonard, Clare (Clem), Theresa (Brian), Joan, Irene, Muriel (Bruce), Rose Mary (Leslie), Martin, and Mary Ann (Marc). He is also survived by his brother-in-law Jamie Creswell (Vivian). Cliff is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Cliff spent over 30 years in education as both a teacher and principal in elementary and high schools. His teaching career took him to many locations across Ontario, eventually spending most of his career within the Ottawa area. Following his undergraduate and master’s degrees at Carleton and Ottawa U, respectively, Cliff remained a life-long student. He continued a pursuit of research related to his passion for multiple intelligence.

It was at Holy Cross Catholic School in Kemptville, Ontario where he met his bride, Carol. Shawn and Melissa, their children, grew up on Sulky Way, Kanata where the family made lifelong friends. Known for welcoming anyone onto the front porch for food, drink and a chat, you would always need to add extra time to your day if you were lucky enough to run into Cliff. You could always count on him to lend a helping hand. As his children grew up, he took tremendous satisfaction and interest in their endeavors, accomplishments, friendships and most recently their own families. His favourite pastime was any time he was able to spend with his grandchildren, whether it be reading, being silly and goofing around, gardening or building in the garage. His ability to see and live life through the eyes of children was exceptional. Cliff’s love of sports – including being an avid fan of both the Ottawa Senators (where he worked as an Usher for 9 years) and the Toronto Blue Jays – has been passed down to his children and grandchildren alike.

After retirement Cliff and Carol enjoyed spending winters in Bradenton, Florida where they made lasting friendships. They also enjoyed travelling in Europe enjoying the history and visiting with friends.

Cliff and Carol relocated to the Briar Hill Community in Alliston, Ontario, nearly ten years ago to be closer to family. He enjoyed the outdoors, and his favourite activity was cycling, always stopping by Tim Horton’s for chocolate milk. He also spent time snowshoeing, walking and building a sense of community with neighbours. As a great conversationalist, Cliff knew and made a personal connection with everyone and was grateful for the new community he and Carol formed here later in life.

The family would like to thank the Simcoe EMS, the Cardiology ICU at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket as well at the ER at the Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston where he received outstanding care.

Donations to the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.

A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends at a later date.

04/18/2026

R. Grant Jenkins

Passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Thursday April 16, 2026. He was in his 77th year.

Beloved husband of 54 years to Betty Ann (nee Schram) Jenkins . Loved dad of Michael, Adam (Misty). Loving papa of Chelsea and Audrey. Dear brother of Orville Jenkins (Betty), Dawn Plester (John), Heather Jenkins (Kevin Gibson) and brother-in-law of Debbie Hillman (Mike), Russel Schram (Rose), Myra Forster (Al Hache), Gord Schram (Karen), Paul Schram, Phillip Schram (Deb), Bruce Schram (Frances) and he will be fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews. Grant was predeceased by his parents Marlene & Harry Jenkins, In-laws Iris & Russel Schram, Glenda Schram, Darlene Harrison, Nancy Speers, Mike Schram and Charlene Pond.

Betty Ann would like to sincerely thank all the caregivers who helped Grant to stay at home.

A Celebration of life for Grant will be held at the Everett Legion Br. 508, 6190 Cty. Rd. 13, Everett on Saturday August 8, 2026 from 1-4p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to MS Society or Everett Legion Br.508 would be appreciated.

Arrangements entrusted to Drury Funeral Centre, Alliston. 705-435-3535

04/17/2026

Visitation will be held at Drury Funeral Centre on Saturday, April 18th from 1 pm until time of service at 1:30 pm. Interment at Alliston Union Cemetery with a reception to follow.

Shirley Anne Young

Passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 3, 2026.

Dear wife of the late Harry Young. Loved mother of Patsy McAllister (late Claes), Robert McAllister, Susanne McAllister (Marcel), Lori Young and the late Ricky McAllister (Christine). Loving grandma of Christine, Jasmina, Robert Jr., Rustan, Chance, Shelley, Taygen, Scott and Logan. Loving great grandma of Shyanne, Taylor, Destiny, Joey, Jacob, Karev, Grayson, Otis, Jasper, Raelyn, Jaxson, Rikki and fondly remembered by her 3 great-great grandchildren. Cherished sister of the late Sandra Christian. Shirley will be greatly missed by her McBride nieces and nephews, her extended family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Drury Funeral Centre 519 Victoria St. E., Alliston on Saturday April 18,2026 from 1 - 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of the charity of your choice would be appreciated.

04/15/2026

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Beverly Bev McKnight
September 9, 1938 – March 3, 2026

Beverly Bev McKnight (nee Brewer, formerly Leckie)
9.9.38 – 3.3.26

“Don’t bet against Bev.”

Anyone who knew Bev, knew her Spirit was unbreakable – and she had many reasons for it to break throughout the years.

An intelligent, beautiful, artistic, vivacious redhead, Bev was born in 1938 and raised in Toronto. Her Spirit, and that of her mother’s would be put to the test at the tender age of 5 when she broke away from her mom in downtown Toronto and was hit by a streetcar. She received 112 stitches across her skull that day and was in hospital for months. And, if it’s possible, she would go on to survive a lot more than even that.

Bev had what she called a strong, “life wish.” She traveled the world, including solo trips to Thailand, Cuba, Mexico several times, Portugal, Paris, North Africa, and traveling to many other places with her late husband, Bill.

She loves the music of Sixto Rodriguez, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Bad Bunny, Buffy Sainte-Marie, David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Leonard Cohen, among others – and she is a film aficionado. Her daughter Susan says, “you never truly know someone until they’ve passed over, and now I really ‘get’ what people mean when they say, ‘he or she was larger than life,’ that is my mum.”

Bev went back to school in her 30s to get her SSGD and later to York University where she obtained a degree in Social Work. She worked at many hospitals in Toronto including West Park, Sunnybrook, and the CNIB. Bev brought LIFELINE into Canada while working at Sunnybrook and it was, in a beautiful twist of fate, LIFELINE that once saved her life many years later.

Bev passed over into heaven on Tuesday March 3 in the early morning hours – appropriately – right after the total lunar eclipse. Her daughter Susan was by her side and soon after her granddaughter Sam, son-in-law Ron, and family friend Twin Katkauskas were also by her side.

Twin and Susan sat vigil off and on for four days in Matthews House Hospice. A place that can only be explained as – God-given. May Matthews House go on for generations upon generations – the people, the atmosphere, the Spirit of that home is inexplicably beautiful, truly remarkable. When Bev passed on that morning, nurse Rebecca said she felt “an incredibly strong presence and energy fill Bev’s room, 108.” She also said she felt goosebumps.

Bev leaves behind her second eldest son Scott Leckie, daughter Susan Leckie-Ponting, son-in-law, Ron Ponting, daughter-in-law, Leah Leckie, granddaughter Samantha Leckie, grandson Eric Leckie, sisters Jeri Maurice and Roxanne Brewer, nieces, Kirsten Maurice, Alexa Handley, Amanda Emery, Sue Carter; nephew Chris Brewer, great nephew Kyle Brewer, great nieces, Ridley and Viyan Handley, Rachel Williams, great nephews, Dylan Emery, Kaiden and Rowan Handley.

We truly know that Bev was met in heaven by her late husband Bill, her late son, Steven Leckie, her beloved grandmother Susan, and all her beloveds who went before her.

A Celebration of Bev’s life will be held on SATURDAY APRIL 25 AT 1:00 P.M. at Drury Funeral Centre in Alliston.

Please consider wearing something sparkly for Bev.

1:00pm Gathering
1:30pm Service of remembering
1:45pm Speakers
3:00pm Light refreshments

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Matthews House Hospice in Alliston, ON. It takes a village to raise a child, and although death is not the end, it takes a community to help someone die a physical death.

The family wishes to thank all the women at Mathews House Hospice – what you do for the living – and the dying – will ring out forever into the heavens. To Dr. Izabella Kogan, we are grateful for your guidance, support, and love – you were one of God’s people who helped my mama to heaven – thank you.

And thank you, Sue Pare for being a friend to Bev and now a friend to Susan and Twin.

And to surgeon, Dr. Lauren O’Malley, thank you!

Thank you also to… nurse Somayeh, Esther, Simran, Barb, Dr. Nam, Ruth, Ruth, Amenzie, nurse Liz Ferrier, nurse Christine Baird, Dorothy, Shifali, Rishali, nurse Erin, Edith, Sam, nurse Cailin, nurse Crystal, PSW Crystal, social worker Megan Rochford, social workers Tracey Carvin and Ashley Patterson, nurse Tamara, and neighbours Ken and Bonnie, and Mike and Anne.

Thank you pharmacists Jag and Sandra who did everything to help Bev with her medications through the years
To everyone at Matthews House hospice – you know who you are – thank you from all our hearts – Megan, Jessica, Aria, Kelly, Rebecca, Christine, Peace, Jennifer, Scarlet, all of you – caring, beautiful, giving, loving souls – thank you.

All the health professionals – you will never be forgotten for the love and selfless care you gave Bev.

And the biggest thank you of all is to Bev – thank you for your life and the love you gave us and will continue to, to eternity ❤

04/15/2026

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Beverly Bev McKnight
September 9, 1938 – March 3, 2026
Beverly Bev McKnight (nee Brewer, formerly Leckie)
9.9.38 – 3.3.26
“Don’t bet against Bev.”
Anyone who knew Bev, knew her Spirit was unbreakable – and she had many reasons for it to break throughout the years.
An intelligent, beautiful, artistic, vivacious redhead, Bev was born in 1938 and raised in Toronto. Her Spirit, and that of her mother’s would be put to the test at the tender age of 5 when she broke away from her mom in downtown Toronto and was hit by a streetcar. She received 112 stitches across her skull that day and was in hospital for months. And, if it’s possible, she would go on to survive a lot more than even that.
Bev had what she called a strong, “life wish.” She traveled the world, including solo trips to Thailand, Cuba, Mexico several times, Portugal, Paris, North Africa, and traveling to many other places with her late husband, Bill.
She loves the music of Sixto Rodriguez, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Bad Bunny, Buffy Sainte-Marie, David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Leonard Cohen, among others – and she is a film aficionado. Her daughter Susan says, “you never truly know someone until they’ve passed over, and now I really ‘get’ what people mean when they say, ‘he or she was larger than life,’ that is my mum.”
Bev went back to school in her 30s to get her SSGD and later to York University where she obtained a degree in Social Work. She worked at many hospitals in Toronto including West Park, Sunnybrook, and the CNIB. Bev brought LIFELINE into Canada while working at Sunnybrook and it was, in a beautiful twist of fate, LIFELINE that once saved her life many years later.
Bev passed over into heaven on Tuesday March 3 in the early morning hours – appropriately – right after the total lunar eclipse. Her daughter Susan was by her side and soon after her granddaughter Sam, son-in-law Ron, and family friend Twin Katkauskas were also by her side.
Twin and Susan sat vigil off and on for four days in Matthews House Hospice. A place that can only be explained as – God-given. May Matthews House go on for generations upon generations – the people, the atmosphere, the Spirit of that home is inexplicably beautiful, truly remarkable. When Bev passed on that morning, nurse Rebecca said she felt “an incredibly strong presence and energy fill Bev’s room, 108.” She also said she felt goosebumps.
Bev leaves behind her second eldest son Scott Leckie, daughter Susan Leckie-Ponting, son-in-law, Ron Ponting, daughter-in-law, Leah Leckie, granddaughter Samantha Leckie, grandson Eric Leckie, sisters Jeri Maurice and Roxanne Brewer, nieces, Kirsten Maurice, Alexa Handley, Amanda Emery, Sue Carter; nephew Chris Brewer, great nephew Kyle Brewer, great nieces, Ridley and Viyan Handley, Rachel Williams, great nephews, Dylan Emery, Kaiden and Rowan Handley.
We truly know that Bev was met in heaven by her late husband Bill, her late son, Steven Leckie, her beloved grandmother Susan, and all her beloveds who went before her.
A Celebration of Bev’s life will be held on SATURDAY APRIL 25 AT 1:00 P.M. at Drury Funeral Centre in Alliston.
Please consider wearing something sparkly for Bev.
1:00pm Gathering
1:30pm Service of remembering
1:45pm Speakers
3:00pm Light refreshments
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Matthews House Hospice in Alliston, ON. It takes a village to raise a child, and although death is not the end, it takes a community to help someone die a physical death.
The family wishes to thank all the women at Mathews House Hospice – what you do for the living – and the dying – will ring out forever into the heavens. To Dr. Izabella Kogan, we are grateful for your guidance, support, and love – you were one of God’s people who helped my mama to heaven – thank you.
And thank you, Sue Pare for being a friend to Bev and now a friend to Susan and Twin.
And to surgeon, Dr. Lauren O’Malley, thank you! (please see local story here: https://www.simcoe.com/.../article_dcf76728-7b56-5fca... )
Thank you also to… nurse Somayeh, Esther, Simran, Barb, Dr. Nam, Ruth, Ruth, Amenzie, nurse Liz Ferrier, nurse Christine Baird, Dorothy, Shifali, Rishali, nurse Erin, Edith, Sam, nurse Cailin, nurse Crystal, PSW Crystal, social worker Megan Rochford, social workers Tracey Carvin and Ashley Patterson, nurse Tamara, and neighbours Ken and Bonnie, and Mike and Anne.
Thank you pharmacists Jag and Sandra who did everything to help Bev with her medications through the years.
To everyone at Matthews House hospice – you know who you are – thank you from all our hearts – Megan, Jessica, Aria, Kelly, Rebecca, Christine, Peace, Jennifer, Scarlet, all of you – caring, beautiful, giving, loving souls – thank you.
All the health professionals – you will never be forgotten for the love and selfless care you gave Bev.
And the biggest thank you of all is to Bev – thank you for your life and the love you gave us and will continue to, to eternity ❤

04/15/2026

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Beverly Bev McKnight
September 9, 1938 – March 3, 2026

Beverly Bev McKnight (nee Brewer, formerly Leckie)
9.9.38 – 3.3.26

“Don’t bet against Bev.”

Anyone who knew Bev, knew her Spirit was unbreakable – and she had many reasons for it to break throughout the years.

An intelligent, beautiful, artistic, vivacious redhead, Bev was born in 1938 and raised in Toronto. Her Spirit, and that of her mother’s would be put to the test at the tender age of 5 when she broke away from her mom in downtown Toronto and was hit by a streetcar. She received 112 stitches across her skull that day and was in hospital for months. And, if it’s possible, she would go on to survive a lot more than even that.

Bev had what she called a strong, “life wish.” She traveled the world, including solo trips to Thailand, Cuba, Mexico several times, Portugal, Paris, North Africa, and traveling to many other places with her late husband, Bill.

She loves the music of Sixto Rodriguez, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Bad Bunny, Buffy Sainte-Marie, David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Leonard Cohen, among others – and she is a film aficionado. Her daughter Susan says, “you never truly know someone until they’ve passed over, and now I really ‘get’ what people mean when they say, ‘he or she was larger than life,’ that is my mum.”

Bev went back to school in her 30s to get her SSGD and later to York University where she obtained a degree in Social Work. She worked at many hospitals in Toronto including West Park, Sunnybrook, and the CNIB. Bev brought LIFELINE into Canada while working at Sunnybrook and it was, in a beautiful twist of fate, LIFELINE that once saved her life many years later.

Bev passed over into heaven on Tuesday March 3 in the early morning hours – appropriately – right after the total lunar eclipse. Her daughter Susan was by her side and soon after her granddaughter Sam, son-in-law Ron, and family friend Twin Katkauskas were also by her side.

Twin and Susan sat vigil off and on for four days in Matthews House Hospice. A place that can only be explained as – God-given. May Matthews House go on for generations upon generations – the people, the atmosphere, the Spirit of that home is inexplicably beautiful, truly remarkable. When Bev passed on that morning, nurse Rebecca said she felt “an incredibly strong presence and energy fill Bev’s room, 108.” She also said she felt goosebumps.

Bev leaves behind her second eldest son Scott Leckie, daughter Susan Leckie-Ponting, son-in-law, Ron Ponting, daughter-in-law, Leah Leckie, granddaughter Samantha Leckie, grandson Eric Leckie, sisters Jeri Maurice and Roxanne Brewer, nieces, Kirsten Maurice, Alexa Handley, Amanda Emery, Sue Carter; nephew Chris Brewer, great nephew Kyle Brewer, great nieces, Ridley and Viyan Handley, Rachel Williams, great nephews, Dylan Emery, Kaiden and Rowan Handley.

We truly know that Bev was met in heaven by her late husband Bill, her late son, Steven Leckie, her beloved grandmother Susan, and all her beloveds who went before her.

A Celebration of Bev’s life will be held on SATURDAY APRIL 25 AT 1:00 P.M. at Drury Funeral Centre in Alliston.

Please consider wearing something sparkly for Bev.

1:00pm Gathering
1:30pm Service of remembering
1:45pm Speakers
3:00pm Light refreshments

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Matthews House Hospice in Alliston, ON. It takes a village to raise a child, and although death is not the end, it takes a community to help someone die a physical death.

The family wishes to thank all the women at Mathews House Hospice – what you do for the living – and the dying – will ring out forever into the heavens. To Dr. Izabella Kogan, we are grateful for your guidance, support, and love – you were one of God’s people who helped my mama to heaven – thank you.

And thank you, Sue Pare for being a friend to Bev and now a friend to Susan and Twin.

And to surgeon, Dr. Lauren O’Malley, thank you! (please see local story here: https://www.simcoe.com/opinion/the-nurses-and-psws-were-amazing-and-the-food-wasn-t-bad-either-84-year/article_dcf76728-7b56-5fca-92e2-4bf84df15a77.html )

Thank you also to… nurse Somayeh, Esther, Simran, Barb, Dr. Nam, Ruth, Ruth, Amenzie, nurse Liz Ferrier, nurse Christine Baird, Dorothy, Shifali, Rishali, nurse Erin, Edith, Sam, nurse Cailin, nurse Crystal, PSW Crystal, social worker Megan Rochford, social workers Tracey Carvin and Ashley Patterson, nurse Tamara, and neighbours Ken and Bonnie, and Mike and Anne.

Thank you pharmacists Jag and Sandra who did everything to help Bev with her medications through the years.

To everyone at Matthews House hospice – you know who you are – thank you from all our hearts – Megan, Jessica, Aria, Kelly, Rebecca, Christine, Peace, Jennifer, Scarlet, all of you – caring, beautiful, giving, loving souls – thank you.

All the health professionals – you will never be forgotten for the love and selfless care you gave Bev.

And the biggest thank you of all is to Bev – thank you for your life and the love you gave us and will continue to, to eternity ❤

04/13/2026

04/11/2026

LEMCKE, Morgan peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Morgan was in his 92nd year. He was Signa's devoted husband for over 67 years. Morgan was the proud father of Bonnie Lynn Lemcke (Ron Cheesman), Wenda Lea Wilcox (Craig), Debbie Lou Bernardi (Peter), and Dean Lemcke (Jacqui). He was the much-loved Grandpa of Dean Lemcke-Evans (Tiegan), Brett Lemcke-Evans (Isabella), Curtis Chessman, Andrew Wilcox (Brittany), Jordan Wilcox (Olivia), Daniel Wilcox (Lindsay), Kelsey Vandekleut (Kyle), Madison Shaule (Luke), Phillip Bernardi, Aaron Bernardi (Rheannon), Simon Bernardi, Jake Lemcke (Josee) and Joshua Lemcke. He was Great-Grampa to Aria, Cayden, Dallas, Declan, Nolan, Jamie, Elisabeth (Lilibet), Emmaline, Oliver, William, Lewis, Riley, Lincoln, Hallie, Elaina and Brie. He was also a dear brother of Roy Lemcke (Donna) and sister of Hazel Hahn (Jim), brother-in-law of Pete Dean (Nora), and of sisters-in-law Jean Lemcke and Rose Lemcke. Predeceased by brothers Ivan Lemcke (Florence), Albert Lemcke (Wilma), Alan Lemcke, Carmen Lemcke, Karl Lemcke (Elaine), sister Isabell Everatt (Harold), brothers-in-law Cliff Dean, Percy (Shirley) Dean, and Joe Dean (Yvonne). He was also a treasured Uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.

Dad was the first in his family to get a university degree. He took summer courses and graduated from the University of Western. He started his teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse on the outskirts of Wiarton. After they were first married, Mom and Dad moved to Malton and then Beeton, where he taught for several years. They then moved to Lion’s Head and finally settled in Alliston, where he taught math at Banting Memorial High School. Dad became lifelong friends with his teaching buddies. They had many parties, fishing trips and laughed together.

Dad was also quite athletic; he played hockey, coached hockey and football, and took great enjoyment in watching sports, especially the Maple Leafs, Blue Jays, and the Argonauts.

Dad loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was almost always spotted wearing his tattered Tilly hat. He spent many summers camping in Algonquin Park, where he and his son, nephews, and grandchildren spent hours catching fish on Lake Opeongo. The highlight of the trip was the annual fish fry.

Mom and Dad travelled a lot. They went to the East Coast many times and enjoyed spending time in Newfoundland and other parts of Canada. They enjoyed many trips to the Bruce Peninsula, where they grew up. They have treasured memories of camping trips on his brother-in-law Pete’s fishing boat. They travelled to Portugal and have lots of funny stories about their numerous trips with friends. They spent many winters in Florida, where they made new friends and reconnected with old ones. Dad was always telling stories and making everyone laugh.

Dad's greatest joy was being around his children, grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He loved camping, playing cards, and playing songs with his mouth organ. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were welcomed into the family as he sang "Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral," an Irish lullaby.
Dad will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Royal Canadian Legion in Alliston or the Food Bank in Dad’s memory would be appreciated.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, April 24th, from 1-4 p.m. at the Drury Funeral Centre in Alliston. Family and friends will be sharing memories at 2 p.m.

04/11/2026

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Beverly (Bev) McKnight
September 9, 1938 – March 3, 2026

Beverly (Bev) McKnight (nee Brewer, formerly Leckie)
9.9.38 – 3.3.26

“Don’t bet against Bev.”

Anyone who knew Bev, knew her Spirit was unbreakable – and she had many reasons for it to break throughout the years.

An intelligent, beautiful, artistic, vivacious redhead, Bev was born in 1938 and raised in Toronto. Her Spirit, and that of her mother’s would be put to the test at the tender age of 5 when she broke away from her mom in downtown Toronto and was hit by a streetcar. She received 112 stitches across her skull that day and was in hospital for months. And, if it’s possible, she would go on to survive a lot more than even that.

Bev had what she called a strong, “life wish.” She traveled the world, including solo trips to Thailand, Cuba, Mexico several times, Portugal, Paris, North Africa, and traveling to many other places with her late husband, Bill.

She loves the music of Sixto Rodriguez, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Bad Bunny, Buffy Sainte-Marie, David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Leonard Cohen, among others – and she is a film aficionado. Her daughter Susan says, “you never truly know someone until they’ve passed over, and now I really ‘get’ what people mean when they say, ‘he or she was larger than life,’ that is my mum.”

Bev went back to school in her 30s to get her SSGD and later to York University where she obtained a degree in Social Work. She worked at many hospitals in Toronto including West Park, Sunnybrook, and the CNIB. Bev brought LIFELINE into Canada while working at Sunnybrook and it was, in a beautiful twist of fate, LIFELINE that once saved her life many years later.

Bev passed over into heaven on Tuesday March 3 in the early morning hours – appropriately – right after the total lunar eclipse. Her daughter Susan was by her side and soon after her granddaughter Sam, son-in-law Ron, and family friend Twin Katkauskas were also by her side.

Twin and Susan sat vigil off and on for four days in Matthews House Hospice. A place that can only be explained as – God-given. May Matthews House go on for generations upon generations – the people, the atmosphere, the Spirit of that home is inexplicably beautiful, truly remarkable. When Bev passed on that morning, nurse Rebecca said she felt “an incredibly strong presence and energy fill Bev’s room, 108.” She also said she felt goosebumps.

Bev leaves behind her second eldest son Scott Leckie, daughter Susan Leckie-Ponting, son-in-law, Ron Ponting, daughter-in-law, Leah Leckie, granddaughter Samantha Leckie, grandson Eric Leckie, sisters Jeri Maurice and Roxanne Brewer, nieces, Kirsten Maurice, Alexa Handley, Amanda Emery, Sue Carter; nephew Chris Brewer, great nephew Kyle Brewer, great nieces, Ridley and Viyan Handley, Rachel Williams, great nephews, Dylan Emery, Kaiden and Rowan Handley.

We truly know that Bev was met in heaven by her late husband Bill, her late son, Steven Leckie, her beloved grandmother Susan, and all her beloveds who went before her.

A Celebration of Bev’s life will be held on SATURDAY APRIL 25 AT 1:00 P.M. at Drury Funeral Centre in Alliston.

Please consider wearing something sparkly for Bev.

1:00pm Gathering
1:30pm Service of remembering
1:45pm Speakers
3:00pm Light refreshments

www.druryfuneralcentre.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Matthews House Hospice in Alliston, ON. It takes a village to raise a child, and although death is not the end, it takes a community to help someone die a physical death.

The family wishes to thank all the women at Mathews House Hospice – what you do for the living – and the dying – will ring out forever into the heavens. To Dr. Izabella Kogan, we are grateful for your guidance, support, and love – you were one of God’s people who helped my mama to heaven – thank you.

And thank you, Sue Pare for being a friend to Bev and now a friend to Susan and Twin.

And to surgeon, Dr. Lauren O’Malley, thank you! (please see local story here: https://www.simcoe.com/opinion/the-nurses-and-psws-were-amazing-and-the-food-wasn-t-bad-either-84-year/article_dcf76728-7b56-5fca-92e2-4bf84df15a77.html )

Thank you also to… nurse Somayeh, Esther, Simran, Barb, Dr. Nam, Ruth, Ruth, Amenzie, nurse Liz Ferrier, nurse Christine Baird, Dorothy, Shifali, Rishali, nurse Erin, Edith, Sam, nurse Cailin, nurse Crystal, PSW Crystal, social worker Megan Rochford, social workers Tracey Carvin and Ashley Patterson, nurse Tamara, and neighbours Ken and Bonnie, and Mike and Anne.

Thank you pharmacists Jag and Sandra who did everything to help Bev with her medications through the years.

To everyone at Matthews House hospice – you know who you are – thank you from all our hearts – Megan, Jessica, Aria, Kelly, Rebecca, Christine, Peace, Jennifer, Scarlet, all of you – caring, beautiful, giving, loving souls – thank you.

All the health professionals – you will never be forgotten for the love and selfless care you gave Bev.

And the biggest thank you of all is to Bev – thank you for your life and the love you gave us and will continue to, to eternity ❤