Desma Dowden (nee Squires)
March 14, 1934 to July 15, 2020
Obituary
To view the online service from the Carnell Memorial Chapel for the late Desma Dowden on Sunday, July 19th at 2:00 p.m. please click on the link below:
https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/view/authorise.php?k=159492115367931
It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Desma Dowden (Squires), at the age of 86. Predeceased by her husband Max, parents Eli Squires, Selina Squires (Clarke) and step-mother Frances Squires (Poole), brothers Wendell, Melvin and Richard, sisters Lydia and Leifa and beloved grandson, Stephen Dowden
Leaving to celebrate her life are sons Gerald (Lynda) and Glen (Louise), grandchildren Serena (Geoff Haines), Jenine (John Panagiotakos), Joe (Nancy), Matthew (Michelle) and Nicole (Colin) and 11 cherished great- grandchildren. Also left to celebrate her life are siblings Eli (Madeline-deceased), Max (Shirley), Tony (Judy), Sandra Sharpe (Tom), Rosemary Drover (Wilf-deceased), Rosilind Davis (Dave) and Patsy Lawlor (Gerald), as well as a large number of nieces, nephews, friends and special friend Mary Boland.
Mom had a lifetime passion for, and quite gifted in, sewing and arts and crafts and thoroughly enjoyed her participation in her social groups with similar interests. We all knew that if you had a couple of hours to spare you could always call Des for a “chat”, and if you craved a great bowl of homemade pea soup just mention it, and it was available at 1 o’clock on Saturday.
Special, sincere thank-you to Dr. Coleman and the staff at Tiffany Village, especially those on the 4th floor, who provided Mom with professional and compassionate care in recent months. It is with regret that Mom could not live longer in this beautiful, family-oriented community. We will never forget your kindness and attention to Mom’s care. Cremation has taken place at her request.
There will be no visitation. A funeral service will take place on Sunday July 19th, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. from the Carnell Memorial Chapel by invitation only. Interment to follow in St. Philip’s Anglican Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations in her memory maybe made to the Janeway Children’s Hospital.
A mother’s love is a blessing, which we were thoroughly blessed to have.
You’ve earned your angel wings.
Gerald and Glen
It was only today I found out about your Mom’s passing on July 19th. Your Dad and Gerry were great friends, and through that I came to know your Mom . Both were salt of the earth and there was nothing they wouldn’t do for anyone. Spent many enjoyable hours with them, both in my home and theirs. Hope you receive this message, as late as it is. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
My condolences to the entire Dowden family. I always enjoyed Des’s company, whether it was while she was grocery shopping at Belbins or whenever I went on a diet and needed my pants taken in.( and let out a few months later) She was always so much fun with a great scene of humor, I enjoyed every chat we ever had..
( Sorry for the late message but I was away for a while)
Sincerely
Robert & Elizabeth Belbin
Gerry and Glen. So sorry to hear your mom had passed. I have fond memories of your mother in my teenage years. Cherish your memories as she lives in your hearts forever. Condolences to you and your families.
Sincere condolences on the passing of Desi she was a very gentle kind woman . I met Desi at a quilting group at Virginia park community centre . And she was my card buddy on Wednesday nites when she came to play . She will rest in peace and may you hold her memories close to your hearts. I was out of town and just heard .
Gerry, Glenn and families So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Your are in our thoughts at such a sad time. Cherish your wonderful memories. Hugs to you both.
Ruth Tiller and Derek Broydell
Sincere condolences to you all at this very sad time. Lord have Mercy and May She Rest In Peace.
Gerald and family, so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing .
I worked with your Mom many years ago at K Mart, she was a lovely lady .
May her soul Rest In Peace!
Gerry and Lynda
Wayne and myself we so sad to hear of your Mom’s passing.
Mom’s are special people. May her memories bring you much happiness of the wonderful life she lived.
Ellen & Wayne Morgan
Condolences to the whole family from Shannon Chapter No.1 and Lodge Westmoorland
Bro. Kevin Martin
Master Elect
Gerry &Glen Sorry to hear of your mom’s passing Condolences to all the family
So sorry for your loss gerald & linda !! You mom was such a sweet lady ! She will be missed! RIP Des ????????I have so many beautiful memories as a young child of Your parents
Gerry (& Lynn), Glen (& Louise) and families: I just watched your mom’s service. Had a good cry for myself. She was especially lovely and patient, and I will cherish the fact that she was on my path. Some great memories of going to her place on my lunch break to pick-up/drop-off sewing. God didn’t TAKE your mom. Rather, “He RECEIVED her into His Heaven” and it just got more beautiful because of her spirit. With MUCH love to all of you during this difficult time . Feel our hug. May God speed. Geraldine, Jill and Mag, North Bay, ON, xoxo
Gerald, and Lynda, Glen and Louise and families .Sorry to hear of the passing of your mother.; she was a very kind and gentle lady who could sew beautifully even without a pattern.
May your memories of your mom bring you peace and comfort. In the days ahead..
Please accept my sincere sympathy..
Gerald, Glen and families:
Just heard about the passing of your mother. Please accept our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Gerald, Glen and families sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. Your mother and father were great friends of ours and we enjoyed many a good time together. Our sincere sympathy.
Dot, Heather, & Jackie Harnum
Gerry, sincere sympathy to you and all your family on the passing of your dear Mother. Patsy and Gordon
My deepest condolences to all who loved this beautiful lady and she will be missed by so many myself included.
Aunt Des will always hold a special place in my heart forever.
To my Aunt and friend I say goodbye for now.
We are so sorry for your loss. Aunt Desma was an amazing lady. She will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Glen, Lori Ann (Leifa’s daughter) and Zach
My sincerest sympathies to the Dowden and Squires families on your recent loss. Although I only met Mrs. Dowden on a few occasions, it was enough to see what a truly wonderful woman she was. My son Geoff was so lucky to marry into such a warm and welcoming family. She is at peace now and she will always be remembered by those who will keep her memory alive in their hearts and memories.
So sorry to hear of Mrs. Dowden’s passing. My deepest condolences to all the family
Hello Gerald and Lynda: So sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom and Mom in law . Mrs Dowden was a great lady., she will be sadly missed. Take care Hugs
Gerry, Glen and your family’s, my sincere condolences on the loss of your beautiful Mom. She was the best sister ever and I have a lot of precious memories that I will cherish and hold close to my heart. She will be missed by everyone that knew her.
Aunt Sandra & Tom
Gerry, Glenn and Families,
We were so sorry to learn of your Mom’s passing. She was a wonderful and kind lady. We know you will miss her dearly but be thankful for the many memories. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Louise and Gerry Cook
Gerald,Lynda,Glen and families;
So sorry to hear of your mom/mother-in-law/ grandma’s passing. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you.Hold dear to all those memories.
RIP Mrs.Dowden.
Angela and Ellis
Gerald,Glenn & Families
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I am sure that Max would picked her up in the camper & said come on, you should see the spot that I have.
Chris Belbin
Gerald, Lynda, Glenn, Louise & Families. We are so saddened to hear of the passing of your precious Mom. She was a beautiful lady. xo She always had something nice to say about everyone. Always so kind, generous and pleasant. She loved having a chat with everyone she knew. People just gravitated to her with her friendly demeanour. She especially loved her long telephone chats and anytime I spoke with her I enjoyed the chats just as much as she did. God Bless her. She will be terribly missed by all who knew her. We know it is so hard to lose our mom’s but know that she is resting peacefully now and hold all your precious memories close to your heart.
Hey guys. Sorry to hear about your mom. A very nice lady. She will be missed by all
To all of Des family so sorry for your loss. I only met your mom a few years ago when I started sewing. . We went out for a Xmas dinner one evening and I drove her home she was a very lovely lady.
We are so sorry for your loss … aunt Desma was a lovely lady and will be missed by many ❤️
Love Denise & Family
Gerald and Glen I am so sorry to hear your Mom passed away. Des was such a wonderful person.
She bowled on my team for years and we had a card club where we played call for your partner.
We played at our houses once a month and when we played at her house she was a great hostess.
I was speaking to her January and she said she would love a game again but not until the summer
when all the snow had gone.. My sincere sympathy to you and all your family.
Margaret Antle & Family
Glen,Gerald,Patsy,Sandra and air of Desma’s Family,Please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of your mom and sister, may she Rest In Peace ????
Gerald and Glen,we are so sorry to hear anout your Mom.I have so many fun memories growing up and being with your family.Your Mom was s o excited to have 2 girls come visit and she would spoil us crazy with treats.I dont know what I would have done without her when my Dad died.She picked Roger and the girls up at the airport and had a big bag of treats for each of my 2 girls.It was Valentines and I didnt even realize,Your Mom realized though and being such a kind and thoughtful person she made them happy.Remember all the good times and happy memories.you guys and your families are in our thoughts.Roger and Trudy Chamberlain.
Glen, Gerry & families,, we were shocked to hear of your Mom’s passing, it was only a few weeks ago we talked to her and she told us how excited she was about moving and couldn’t wait to start a new chapter in her life. She was indeed a true and long time friend and we share a lot of wonderful memories of her. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Rest In Peace Des
Glen, Gerry & families ….our deepest condolences on the passing of your Mom..thinking of you all at this difficult time…Angus & Debbie Osmond & family.
Glen, Louise and family, I am so sorry to hear of mrs Dowden passing. She was a very lovely kind lady. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Gerald, Lynda and family,
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of your dear Mom. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time in your lives. May she Rest In Peace. Amen. Hugs!!
I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Aunt Des. My deepest sympathy to the family and friends.
Sorry to hear of Desma’s passing . I remember her fondly from when we were volunteering a number of years ago. Sending sincere sympathy. Maude Peach
Glenn & Gerald,
I am sorry to hear about Aunt Des. She was the last of the old clan. She and Mom enjoyed their chats.
Stephen
Sorry for your loss.
Rosemary and all the Squires connections I offer my feelings of sincere sympathy in the loss of Desma. It is never easy to lose our dear ones.. with care, Phyllis
Sorry for your loss..May she Rest In Peace.
We are so sorry to hear of Des’ passing. She was a good friend and neighbour of my cousins on Dowden’s Lane and I have good memories of her and Max from then and later when my husband and I moved into the area. Our deepest sympathy to you all.
Glen and Gerald,
So sorry to hear of your moms passing thought and prayers are with you all.
We got to know Des and Max when we built our home next to them on the old Dowdens Farm. In 1983. If our kids were missing, Des was probably providing snacks in her house. Many stories. But the one I wanted to share was of the apple tree at the end of our, formerly their, driveway . Years after she had moved, Des came by and exclaimed “there it is”! Asked what, she said it was the apple tree she and Max had planted, but could never find because the cows ate any part that grew. After years of no cows, there it was, and still is. A great couple, a great lady to whom family was everything..
Glenn and Gerald, sincere condolences on the passing of your mother.She was a wonderful person.
Karen, Dave Thorne & Family
Gerald, Glen & families: So sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. I hope, in time, the sadness you feel now will lessen as you focus on the precious memories of your Mother.. Sincere condolences
Gerald and Glen. We are so sorry to hear of your mothers passing. She was a beautiful person and we have so many early memories of spending time with your mom and dad. Whether it be at your mothers house or swimming at sugarloaf. With you guys. May your beautiful and treasured memories bring you peace and comfort..
The Bastow Family
Jean Bastow Leila (Boland). Marlene (Jesso)
Gerald and Glen. I was shocked and saddened to hear from Bob, my Son that Des had passed.! I have so many memories of Her and your Father from the time they were married. She was a very kind Lady and nothing was too much for her to do if help was needed. We were neighbours for my younger years and after I was married , with kids of my own!
Please accept our sincerest condolences. A very sad and difficult time for the family. You may be assured Des will be in my thoughts and prayers. Rest In Peace., you have, indeed earned your Angel Wings.
Aunt Des was truly a special lady. It was never a quick visit to her house with endless hours of conversations, something that will surely be missed by so many. Thinking of all of you and sending all our love and prayers.
Gerald, Glenn and family,
I was so sorry to hear of your mothers passing. I have many fond memories of both Des and Max growing up and living on “Dowdens Lane” . Such wonderful times.
I’m sure, if Ruby was able, she would have quite the story or two!
Thinking of your families now.
My deepest sympathies..
Perri Holmes Brazill and family
Ruby Skiffington
So sorry to hear of Desi’s passing. I had the pleasure of getting to know her through programs offered at the Community Centre. She will truly be missed. Deepest and sincere condolences to her family.
Gerry, Lynda, Glen, Louise,Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren & Extended family members:
Our Deepest Sympathy to you all.May your loving memories bring you comfort,courage, peace &strength. R.I.P Mrs..Dowden
Gerald and Glen, I was so sorry to hear of Des’s passing , I have many fond memories over the years of Des I used to laugh so much at Diane when she would say when I get a spare hour I will give Des a call I found that so funny.everytime someone talks about punch I think of Des how at her house one night we never had a drink but ate all the fruit left in the bottom of the punch bowl and could hardly stand up togo home.lolo you are all in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
Doreen Thorne
Gerry and Glen: our deepest sympathy during this difficult time. I have great memories of your Mom in my younger years…. she was a very kind and special lady.
Stay strong –
Gerry and Glen,
I was so sad to learn of your mother’s passing. She was a wonderful and very caring person and I know she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Gerry and the entire Dowden family, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. It’s never easy loosing a parent but especially a mother. They are special in our lives. Condolences to all.
Gerald and Glen .Sorry for your loss .Great memories of your Mother .
Gerald and Glen .Sorry for your loss .Great memories of your Mother .
Dowden Family
Heartfelt condolences at the passing of Mrs. Dowden. I have known her and Mr. Dowden since I was a child. Your dad was a good friend of my fathers, Cliff Barnes. My thoughts and prayers go out to you, cherish the time you had with her and remember the love she had for each of you.
To the family of the late Desma Dowden.. Very sorry to hear of my dear friends passing . Thank you Des for all the years we enjoyed together. Rest In Peace my dear friend. Love Marg and Gerald , Gander.
Our deepest sympathy to Gerald, Glen and families. Sorry to hear the news of the passing of your mom. We have many childhood memories of your mom and family . We will cherish them forever . Love to all. Gerry , Joanne , Darryl.
Our Deepest Sympathy to all of Desma’s family. May She Rest In Peace!!
Sorry to hear the sad news. We send our sincere condolences to you all. She was a beautiful lady.
Gerry and Lynda
In sympathy and friendship, we send our deep condolences on the passing of your wonderful, dearest Mom.
Such a beautiful obituary for a beautiful woman.
Your heart and home will always feel the love shared and remembered.
With our sympathy
Donna and Greer
Gerald (Linda) – sorry to hear that your precious Mother passed away. She was a beautiful person and while it’s never easy to lose your Mother she had a good long life which is a wonderful gift and blessing. From our family to you and the extended Dowden family please accept our sincere condolences.
Glenn & Judy Pittman
Burlington, Ontario
So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing, please accept our sincere condolences. May you find peace and comfort in your happy memories you as you go through this difficult time.