232 Warwick Street | Watford, Ontario N0M 2S0 | Phone: (519) 876-2218 | Email: office@dennings.ca
Tribute Wall
Wednesday
7
February
Service Information
1:00 pm
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
108 Graham St. West
Lorne, Ontario, Canada
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Laurie Ford lit a candle
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
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My name is Laurie Ford, I was a student of Ms. Axford in about 1992 or 1993... I have recently gone back to College to add onto my education. I have a teacher who had us watch a Ted talks (https://www.ted.com/talks/drew_dudley_everyday_leadership?language=en) on "lolipop" moments... someone who influenced you in some way in your life likely without knowing their impact. Ms. Axford was who came to mind for me, I wrote this rough response for my class...its just rough but thought about how great it would be to tell Joyce what she meant to me, I tied to locate contact info for her, and I only now learned of her passing and was so sad not to be able to share this with her as a little girl who is all grown up now and living so far away from Dunwich Dutton Public School... I saw you could leave a message on this website for the family...I thought I might still share it with you. She was such an amazing person this is only one small moment of many that she touched student's lives. My deepest sympathies I know many years have passed since her death but I hope you will accept this as a way for me to pay my respects.
Laurie Ford
31 yrs old
living in Castlegar BC
laurieford@live.com
My 3rd grade teacher Ms. Axford was a great teacher, she was the type of teacher who didn’t necessarily do things by the book. She was a free spirited type of woman who believed that real learning can come in all sorts of lessons including those that came outside of the class room. If there was a beautiful weather day we would go on a nature walk and examine caterpillars, trees and flowers and have a picnic. Some days we’d take the class whatever the subject was, outdoors to read in the sun instead of staying cooped up in the class room. She was the type of teacher who broke down a cried in front of the class when one of our class mates died. She was the only teacher who wasn’t afraid to show that real emotion and give us a chance to sharing our feelings during that tragedy.
My lollipop moment came one day when I arrived to school to take my seat in my usual desk. When I went to put away my pencil case and notebooks, I reached in and found a toy. It was just a small little toy, the type came free in a cereal box, not expensive, nothing special, except to a small child who generally didn’t get things like that, (my mom had the tendency to by really healthy or no-name cereals that didn’t come with free toys, and I didn’t otherwise get spoiled with new toys often.) I thought for sure it was a mistake... surely another child who used my desk when we switched classrooms for a time slot in the afternoon had left it behind by mistake. I was a quiet and shy child, certainly not that popular, one who generally was happy to slide under the radar for the most part...I never expected any special attention or centering out I was quite happy to be unique, but keeping in the background.
So that day I marched right up to the teacher’s desk and said I want to turn this into the lost and found, someone left it behind by mistake. Ms. Axford smiled with a twinkle in her eye and said “No, there was no mistake... I received that in my cereal box this morning and I thought you might like to have it as something special just for you for being such a good person. Thank you for being so honest and turning it in, but it’s yours to keep. It will be our little secret.”
Even at my young age I had a sense from the smile and twinkle in my teacher’s eye that it was a test. She took a risk having an inkling that my honesty would win out a childs excitement and it was a test to see if I would do the right thing, and for me I had to take the risk of giving up something that I wanted knowing it was the right and honest thing to do because it did not belong to me. I felt the most intense moment of pride, I got the warm and fuzzy feeling of doing the right thing and the feeling that my teacher thought something of me, that I was special and that I got to have a secret... and I got to keep something that my teacher gave to me and not any of the other 20 or so kids in the class, I was so proud, I was so happy... the cost was only a free cereal box toy but the impact was monumental to me as child.
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I never told my teacher about this or any of the other impacts on my life... when I was doing this assignment I thought what the hell...I’m going to see if I can track her down, maybe I can call her up and tell her now. I grew up in a small town where many people don’t leave so maybe I can still give her a call and tell her how much she meant to me.
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Bev Padfield and family posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
I am so sorry for your loss. I have many wonderful memories of times with Joyce.
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Bob and Marie Spence posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Rae and Family, Please accept our sympathy for Joyce's passing. She was a wonderful person whom we are glad we knew. May God bless her. Bob and Marie Spence
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Megan posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
I would like to express my sincere condolences for your loss. I only knew Joyce for a short time but within it she truly touched my heart. She was such a lovely woman and was so blessed to have such a beautiful family by her side at all times. Meeting Joyce was a privilege and I will always remember her. With Sympathy, Megan LHSC C7-400 UWO Nursing Student
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Marge Blokker R.N. posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Dear Rae and family, I thought of Joyce and all of you on Saturday - her birthday. I am so sorry that I'm working nights Monday and Tuesday and can't come to the funeral home. I'm imagining how beautiful it will be when you play Geoff's version of Ave Maria - it gave me goosebumps. You should all be very proud of how you kept Joyce surrounded by love every moment for those long, hard last weeks. She was one of the most gentle, lovely women I've ever met. My deepest condolences to you all, Marge. Rae, you be careful with that underwater hockey!
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Isabel and Dave McNiece posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
We were very saddened to-day to read of Joyce's death. We have such great memories of the lovely, young couple Rae and Joyce and the three little boys who lived across from us on Rutherford Ave. in Aylmer many years ago. Our sincere sympathy to you Rae and your family.
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Mick and Dale Ritchie and family, posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Rae, Geoff and Terry, Was sorry to hear of Joyce's death. She truly was a kind,compassionate woman and will be missed by all.May you find strength and courage to get through the rough days. Your in our thoughts and prayers.
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Darwin and Barb Sherman posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Condolence from Florida to the Axford Family We
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Dale & Barbara Axford posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Rae, Geoff, Terry and families, we are so sorry to hear about Joyce and what all must have endured during her illness. Donna (mom), Les and Vickie were at our house last night before returning to Florida today after Donna's mom's funeral last week and Leanna called to tell us about Joyce. They asked that we send along their condolences as well. Rae, you have always been there for our family and Dale and I are sorry we will not be able to attend the visitation and funeral due to previous commitments. Our hearts and thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. Sincerely, Dale and Barbara Axford.
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Jim Schaefer and Kathy Gerber posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Dear Terry and Max, So sorry to read of Joyce's passing. We are glad you two were able to come over the pond to be with her these past days. I still miss my Mom and she has been gone almost 6 six years. Her love is still wih me though. It was a great chance encounter to meet you two in the A and P the other day. It brought back such wonderful memories of you, your extended family and Staunch! Kathy and I also remember meeting your Mom that day out on the front lawn of your family home. It seemed so idyllic. Thank you for all the T.L.C. you gave me when I was with you in New Zealand. Peace to you and Shalimar and Forrest. xo Schaef and Kathy.
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Marion Depuydt posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Dear Ray & Family, Please accept my sincere sympathy at this time.Joyce put up a brave fight however her suffering is over at last. Again my sincere condolences.
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Irene Carroll posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Mr. Axford, Geoff / Linda; Terry / Max and families: Heartfelt condolences to all of you in the passing of the lovely Joyce -- life partner, mother, grandmother, sister, friend. Having met Joyce on family occasions, I was struck by her grace, devotion and wonderful sense of humour. She loved her family unconditionally and I know was a pillar of strength during the rockier times. I've seen her cry and I've seen her smile -- and it's those things that I've remembered the most. It came as no surprise to me that Joyce returned Home the day she entered the Planet -- her timing was always impeccable ! You won't have to go far to be reminded of Joyce -- just look in to each others eyes and each others hearts -- you'll find her there. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Irene Carroll
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Pia Edwards posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Joyce was my friend in music. We both sang with The Village Ladies for many years. Her calm quiet demeanour and bright smile come to mind as I try to compose this message. Please accept my most heartfelt condolences in your time of loss.
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Larrie Lamb posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Our deepest and heartfelt sympathy with the loss of your wife, mother and grandmother. Larrie Lamb, Tara and Jeremy Mosher, and families.
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Loraine Shaw posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Sincere condolences to the family of Joyce...I knew Joyce from the Village Ladies and she has left many wonderful memories for all of us. Lucky are we to have known Joyce and the person she was. From Melaque, Mexico.
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Barbara and Gary Bijker posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Ray and family, We heard from our daughter Leah about Joyce's passing . We wish to send our deepest sympathies from Gary and Barbara here in Florida. We are sending our prayers and thoughts to your family . P.S. Wendy and Hugh Lessard are in the same park as we are. The Bijkers
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Bruce and Carolyn Huff posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Dear Rae and Family: We were saddened to learn of Joyce's death. She was a beautiful woman and I'm honoured to consider her a friend. I will always remember that she went to bat for me when the good old Free Press deposed my column. Words at this stressful time are never adequate but please accept our sincere condolences. Please stay in touch and if you ever feel like grabbing a coffee or a pop the next time you are in London, please give me a call. Also, there is always room for a comeback with the Old Dogs. I know they join me in wishing you all the best. Sincerely. Huffer
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Julie Munday posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
I'm sorry for your loss. I know it has been a long battle. Sorry I wasn't able to make it to the Memorial Service. Take Care, Julie
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Marg (Roberts) Payson posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Dear Rae and family: It is with saddness that I learned about the passing of Joyce. She started out in my Nursing class '58. She was a kind and loving person with a beautiful soul. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Marg
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