In Memoriam

Peacefully, on Friday March 7, 2025 at the age of 80. Loving husband of Pauline (nee Windsor) for 55 years. Beloved father of Steven (Marie-Claude Savard-Gagnon) and Julie (Todd) Durnan. Cherished grandpa of James, Rose, Quinn and Caryss. Dear brother of Gail (Stuart) Keyes and adored cousin of Dawn (late Dr. Norman) Gledhill. Predeceased by his parents Mary and Carlyle Ferguson.

Paul was a long-time employee of Sargent of Canada (later Assa Abloy). He played hockey, lacrosse and baseball as a youth and later football at PCVS and Adam Scott.

Paul loved nothing more than to spend time at the cottage on Chemung Lake with his family and friends.

A Celebration of Life is to be held at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Diabetes Canada or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. Online condolences may be made at AshburnhamFuneral.ca



Peacefully at the PRHC on Monday, December 31, 2024 at the age of 88. Helen, dearly beloved wife of Morris and loving mother of Jeff (Susie), David (Nathalie Poirier-Cox), and Susan (Jay Sharp). Dear Grandma of Dylan (Alison), Mackenzie, Madeleine, Francis (Carly), Emma (Benn), and Angela. Great-grandma of Phoebe, and Theo. Dear sister of Donald Curtis (the late Martha), the late Bruce (the late Peg) Curtis, and their families. Helen was a member at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club where she enjoyed golfing and socializing with her friends. Her love of music and natural ability to learn to play was evident. She learned how to play the violin as an adult and became a member of the Fiddle stix band. Although Helen learned to play the piano at a young age, she relearned to play as an adult and became a very proficient player. Her memory served her well not only in music but also when playing card games such as 'Hearts', 'Euchre' and most importantly 'Duplicate Bridge'. Visitation will be held at Ashburnham Funeral Home, 840 Armour Road, Peterborough, on January 24, from 7-9 p.m. and on January 25, from 1-2 p.m. Memorial Service in the chapel at 2 p.m. If desired, donations in Helen name to the PRHC Foundation would be appreciated by the family.



It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Alexander "Murray" Batten on Monday, September 16, 2024, shortly after blowing out his 91st birthday candle. Murray was the beloved husband of 67 years to Flo, who he missed immensely following her recent passing. He was the loving father of Jane Fitzpatrick (the late Glen), Paul, Bill and the late Robert. He will be missed by his cherished granddaughters, Frances and Aland (Jayson Down). Survived by his sisters-in-law, Beverly and Dorothy Batten. Murray was predeceased by his brothers, Bill (Shirley), Harvey and Eric.
Murray's pride of his family's pioneering roots in Dummer Township oozed through his blood. His interest in history continued throughout his life and was extended to his involvement with the Douro-Dummer Historical Society.
Murray left the family farm after completing high school at the age of 16, and pursued a remarkable forty-year career with the Ministry of Transportation. Following retirement, he settled in Peterborough and worked for several consulting firms and supervised the renovation of the Peterborough Lift Lock, the Inverlea Bridge and the Hunter Street Bridge, as well as several other local projects. He was even offering his expertise and input on road projects at the age of 88! Murray's mark on these projects in the area he loved so much will leave a lasting imprint for many years to come.
A funeral service will be held to honour Murray's life at Mark Street United Church, 90 Hunter Street East, Peterborough on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Memorial donations may be made to Mark Street United Church or the Heart and Stroke Foundation as expressions of sympathy and may be made by contacting THE HENDREN FUNERAL HOMES, LAKEFIELD CHAPEL, 66 Queen Street, Lakefield at www.hendrenfuneralhome.com or by calling 705-652-3355.



Passed away peacefully in her 91st year at Princess Gardens. Beloved wife of Fred for 67 years; loving mother of David (Lisa) and Leslee Cantello (Bob) and cherished Nana of Carter and Malaina Huffman as well as Avery, Cydney and Kurt Cantello. Carolee was the dear sister of Doreen Manley of Peterborough and predeceased by brothers, Stewart and Jack.
Carolee was a Registered Nurse at the Peterborough Civic Hospital and for Dr. Hartere at the Medical Centre. She loved her music and was a long-time member of Mark St. United Church Choir, the Jubilaires Ladies Choir and of a small group, The 9 Bells. Carolee was also a long-time member of the St. James Players, singing in the chorus of their many musicals.
Carolee’s family would like to thank the staff at Princess Gardens and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre for the care they provided.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, September 19th at 11:30a.m. at Rosemount Memorial Gardens followed by a reception at Ashburnham Funeral Home and Reception Centre, 840 Armour Rd., Peterborough.
In memory of Carolee, donations may be made to the Mark St. United Church memorial fund or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.



Pauline’s family announces with sorrow that she passed away peacefully on Friday, September 13, 2024 at Canterbury Gardens in her 87th year. Beloved wife of the late Samuel Bell (1977) and the late Harold McGrath (2015). Loving mother of Susan Pettersone (late Barry), Sharon Driscoll (Scott) and Jeffrey Bell (Patti). Proud grandmother of Michael Cavanagh (Kim), Megan Cavanagh (Mike Lowry), Dan Cavanagh (Erica), Samantha Driscoll-Way (Daniel), Hayley Driscoll (Holly Thomas) and Samuel Bell and great-grandmother of Aiden, Conor, Grace, Adeline, Jack, and Joseph. Pauline cherished Harold’s family and had a special relationship with his daughter Kimberley and Harold’s six grandchildren Bradley, Kyle, Ben, Reggie, Arlene and Frankie. Predeceased by her parents Clayton and Daisy Fitzgerald; and her brother Barry (late Jane). Lovingly remembered by her nephew Gordon Fitzgerald (Nadine Rochette) and his children Jeremy and Shane, and her niece Tammy Duport (Dion) and her daughter Raven. Dearly missed by many extended family, and friends.

Pauline was a proud descendant of the Peter Robinson settlers and grew up on a dairy farm on 12th Line Smith outside of Lakefield. She loved the outdoors so much that she lied about her age to become a counselor at Camp Kawartha on Clear Lake when she was only sixteen. At 5 foot 9 and ¾’s, she was the captain of her Lakefield High School basketball team and graduated from Peterborough Teachers College in 1957, In 1959, Pauline married the love of her life Sam Bell and moved to Bridgenorth. Pauline was a primary grade school teacher at King Edward P.S. in Peterborough until her first daughter Susan was born in 1960. She continued to substitute teach and assist at Bell’s Garage while they grew their family until the tragic death of Sam in 1977. Pauline, now widowed with 3 children, 16, 15 and 11, transitioned into the role of business owner as Co-Owner of Bell’s Garage until she sold her majority interest to her brother-in-law in the early eighties. Pauline found a second chance at love when she married Harold McGrath in 1982. Although their lives were busy with work and eight kids between them, they found time to travel and eventually became snowbirds at Ironwood Circle in Bradenton Florida where Pauline made many new friends and learned to golf. Golf and curling became favorite past-times and Pauline joined Tamarac Golf & Country Club in Ennismore and is a Past President of Peterborough Curling Club Ladies Section. Pauline held strong ties with both Mark Street United Church and Bridgenorth United Church where she spent many years as President of the Bridgenorth UCW. She volunteered for TeleCare Distress Centre of Peterborough and Selwyn Public Library in Ennismore. In her later years, Pauline became an avid bridge player and had a weekly game with several good friends and had just started a bridge group at Canterbury Gardens where she became a resident this past May.

But for Pauline, friends and family were the most important aspects of her life. Her favourite roles were mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and she was one of the best. She was always supportive of her children’s life decisions even when career opportunities required moving to different cities, provinces or countries. Having the family together was a top priority and she rarely missed a holiday celebration or summer BBQ at her Ennismore house on Chemong Lake or Sharon’s cottage on Clear Lake. She was frequently hosting large family gatherings and would always welcome neighbours and family friends as extended family with one simple phrase - Just call me Pauline. She was a fantastic cook and always had home baked chocolate chip cookies in a tupperware container and each family visit started with a trip to the kitchen for a cookie appetizer. Her cookies were not always perfect, but they were made with love.

Pauline made friends wherever she went and she had a smile and a personality that would light up a room. She was incredibly kind, caring and inspirational to all that were fortunate enough to meet her.

A Celebration of Pauline’s Life will be held at Bridgenorth United Church, 832 Charles Street on Wednesday October 9, 2024. Visitation will be from 11 am to 12:30 pm, Service at 1 pm and Inurnment at BUC cemetery immediately following the service. Family will receive friends for a reception at the Bridgenorth Library next to the church.

In memory of Pauline, donations to Bridgenorth United Church or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated by her family.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.comstockkaye.com