We make a lot of assumptions.
We assume that what is here today, will still be here tomorrow. That the sun will rise, we will open our eyes on a new day, and family and friends will be within reach.
But time passes. We live in a fragile world, and friends and family members can pass from our lives in an instant – as we learned all too frequently in 2019.
Ruth Draper ran the Unique Art Gallery in Cookstown, from her home on the 2nd Line. She transformed her garage into a gallery store that offered local artists a venue for sales and introduced the works of talented local artists and artisans to the public. The co-founder of the South Simcoe Palette Club, she taught and provided support to her fellow artists, with great humour and warmth. She passed away on March 29 of 2019.
Marlene Johnston served as a councillor in East Gwillimbury for over 30 years. During that time, she not only served on committees that included Finance and Budget, and as council liaison to the library board, she also supported numerous community events and was instrumental in launching the East Gwillimbury Farmers Market. She passed away suddenly on Aug. 23, 2019.
John Gaffey served for years with the Toronto Fire Services and North York Fire Dept., rising to the rank of Captain, before injury forced him to retire. He moved to Bond Head from Weston; once here, he played a key role in the community, through the Bond Head Lions Club – involved in fundraisers that included the motorcycle draw, and electronic waste and scrap metal collection days at the Bond Head Hall. He passed away suddenly on Nov. 2, 2019 at the age of 70.
Barbara Vaughan was well-known as a volunteer, baker, and inspiration in Bradford West Gwillimbury. She was active in the Bradford Arts Centre, helped run fundraising dinners at Green Valley Alliance Church, and served as executive director of the BWG Community Meal, offering those in need of support and social contact a free hot meal every Friday evening, served with dignity and respect. She passed away, surrounded by family, on Nov. 10, 2019 at the age of 65.
Blake Constable, baseball player, singer, actor, politician and larger-than-life icon in the Town of Innisfil passed away at the age of 94, after a long struggle with medical conditions that robbed him of his hearing, but not of his indomitable spirit and sense of joy. Constable passed away at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie on Nov. 11, 2019.
Doreen Goodyear, Sid Weening, Juliana Fischer, Vincenzo Catania, Michael Artichuk, Ruth Langford, Earle Gilmore, Linda Hodgson, Peggy Craig, Vera Stoddart, Peter Mizzoni were among the many community members we lost in 2019.
So, moving into the new year, treasure those you love - and take every day as a gift.