.Lois Elaine Houghton - Former Resident
April 11, 1933 - June 30, 2025
Peacefully surrounded by her loving family, Monday, June 30th, 2025, at Vision Nursing Home, Lois Elaine Houghton quietly passed away at the age of 92. Beloved wife of the late William Houghton (2008). Loving mother of Pam (David) Bruce, Scott (Donna), Kim (Wesley) Hicks, Christine (William) Moore, and Mark (Susan). Cherished grandmother of Evan (Sarah), Tyler (Erin), David (Jade), Nadine (Chris), Sarah (Corey), Kane (Hannah), Alexandra (Shvii), Lee (Carissa), Gillian (Troy), Megan (Adam), Matthew, Lauren (Brian), Cole (Nichelle), Caleb and Zachary. Treasured GG of Lily, Max, Declan, Georgia, Liam, Nora, Logan, Adelyn, Zoey, Payton, Connor, Isaac, Emmett, Finn, Reece, Sloane, Silas and Charlotte. Dear sister of Frank Cole and Linda Howard. Sister-in-law of Donald Whitely. Survived by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Kenneth Dunbar and Gertrude Cole and brothers Bill, Jack and Donny.
Elaine enjoyed many years raising her family on the Houghton farm, with a passion for baking, canning and gardening. She worked hard to maintain her home by cooking, cleaning and helping on the farm, which affectionately earned her the nickname “Fireball” from her close friends and family. She was a lifelong member of Camlachie United Church and enjoyed UCW and being a part of the choir. Elaine was known for her delicious pies, always baking her grandchildren’s favourite ones for them to enjoy.
After her family was grown, she worked part time at Sears and enjoyed lunch outings with the “Sears Ladies” monthly. After Dad passed, she decided to purchase a cute home in Bluewater Country, where she enjoyed tennis, pickleball, pizza/movie nights, social dinners and hours of line dancing. When nights became lonely she got her beloved “Tassie” to keep her company, enjoying daily walks around Bluewater while visiting neighbours. She lived at Bluewater Country for 15 years before moving to Rosewood then onto Vision.
Family and friends will be received at Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia, on Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Smith Funeral Home, on Friday, July 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Sympathy may be expressed through donations to Camlachie United Church, Vision Nursing Home, Sarnia & District Humane Society, or the St. John Ambulance therapy dog program (cheques only at the funeral home please).
Houston Clements Saunderson - former Resident
November 29, 1944 - July 20, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Houston, after a brief illness, on July 20, 2025, surrounded by his family, at Freeport Hospital in Kitchener, at the age of 80.
Loving and devoted husband, of 57 years, to his wife and best friend, Brenda.
Loving father to son Eric and wife Dianna, and son Trevor and wife Cathy.
Cherished grandfather to Alivia and Logan.
Also missed by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Houston's memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved him.
Houston and Brenda immigrated to Canada in 1967 from Northern Ireland, on a cargo ship, which left on their wedding day. He completed his B.A. at Queen's University in Belfast and got his M.A. and Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Toronto. His first teaching job was at Texas A&M from 1972 to 1974, followed by a long career as a professor at Wilfrid Laurier University from 1974 to 2013.
He had a true love for teaching and knowledge and shared his wisdom with all those who would listen. Houston was always taking photos of his family on vacation, jokingly telling them they were only there for scale to capture the rock formations in photos he would use for future lectures. He was a life long learner, becoming a Tai Chi "expert" and learning new languages in his spare time.
Houston was a generous, loyal and kind man with a big heart. He had a good sense of humour and lived his life with integrity. He'll be fondly remembered for his love of his family and being his grandchildrens' biggest sports fan, his passion for travel, adventure and his love of a good book. Houston was a talented singer and enjoyed a good sing-a-long. He was a loyal Toronto Blue Jays baseball fan and loved spending his summers at the trailer in Grand Bend, never turning down a shot of Bushmills Whiskey while sitting around the campfire.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to WRHN Foundation - Palliative Care (donations can be made through the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick St., Kitchener ON N2B 2A5, 519-749-8467).
John McGovern
February 14, 1971 - April 8th, 2025
Winnie-the-Pooh said it best: “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
Words cannot express how saddened we are to have had to say goodbye to my best friend and father to our “lil reds,” John Patrick McGovern on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 after a brief but devastating brain tumour diagnosis on December 30th, 2024.
Left to grow old on her own after 29 years of marriage, John is survived by Tali McGovern; the joys of their lives, daughters Taija and McKenna (Nathan) and their counterparts Richard McIntosh and Tanner Nathan. Before he passed, John promised us he will watch over his grandsons Calder and Kylar McIntosh and we promised to keep his legacy alive by sharing memories and stories of John/Gpa J forever.
John is also survived by his mother, Betty June McGovern, brother David McGovern and sisters Elizabeth (Bill) Meredith, Bridgett (Al) Aikins and Cathy McGovern. John leaves behind 16 nieces and nephews who were able to share with him fond memories from spending time with him in their youth. John is predeceased by his father Percy McGovern and sister Gertrude Glassford
Although John suffered from Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder he did not allow it to define him as a man. John lived a life of selflessness - always making sure everyone around him was “ok” - through volunteering (radio stations, Lambton Elderly Outreach: Meals On Wheels, Mount Forest Thrift Shop, Mount Forest United Church, Mount Forest Fire Department), working on projects with family and friends, through his lawn care business, Certified Ski Patroller and most honourably as a Primary Care and Community Care Paramedic. The 3 ladies in his life have always been proud of John and will continue to honour him through volunteering and helping others.
There will be no formal service or celebration of life for John. As his family we ask that you pay tribute to John by performing selfless acts of kindness as well as normalizing expressions of love and gratitude to family and friends. In lieu of flowers please consider sharing in supporting John’s legacy, the book he, through the support of his family, was able to publish on March 5, 2025 titled, “If you wore a cape what colour would it be.” in which a portion of the proceeds will go to various charities as per John’s wishes.
In the words of writer Alan Alexander Milne who created the lovable Winnie-the-Pooh: “goodbye…? oh no, please. Can’t we go back to page one and do it all over again?”
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of John McGovern, please visit our Tree Store.
