Armstrong Family Events, Updates & News
EVENTS:
** IMPORTANT ** NEW! FAMILY REUNION DATE - now SATURDAY, JULY 17th, 2010
Family Reunion Moved up to 2010
The next Rainey Armstrong Family Reunion is now planned for SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2010.
The reunion committee has decided to move to an earlier date to more quickly gather family genealogical and historical information, building on the momentum we've gathered over the past couple of years since the publication of the book, Descendants of Rainey Armstrong, back in 2007.
We'll announce details for the reunion after the next committee meeting in the spring of 2009.
2007 Family Reunion
The Armstrongs enjoyed a successful family reunion on June 30 and July 1, 2007, at the Municipality of Bluewater Complex (formally known as the Stanley Township Complex) at Varna, Ontario. The event was attended by approximately 190 family members over the two days.
A fun-filled Saturday afternoon included time for visiting, storytelling, and sports and games for both young and old, followed by a grand potluck supper. A successful silent auction, with everything from framed photos to handmade birdhouses, was a great way to offset costs and provide folks with a special item to take home as a souvenir of the weekend. Supper was followed by a time of song and entertainment.
Sunday started off with a wonderful brunch prepared by a team of Armstrong chefs, followed by a 30-minute devotional service of song, scripture readings and Irish blessings. After the service, folks had time for more fun and games and visiting. Many then headed to the Bayfield Cemetery, the burial place of several Armstrongs. There we learned more about our ancestors, and on the graves of beloved family members, young and old placed cut flowers from the centerpieces that had adorned the breakfast tables.
After the cemetery visit, a large number assembled at the home of Greg and Pat Armstrong for further visiting and a chance to see and enjoy the very house that Rainey built in 1875, on the homestead he came to in 1852.
UPDATES - Births, Marriages & Deaths:
Born: April 21, 2009. Chloe Ella Stephenson
A baby girl, Chloe Ella, to the proud parents, Michael and Michelle (Newman) Stephenson.
Born: January 9, 2009 Sara Grace Rylant
A second daughter for Michael & Lisa (Dembeck) Rylant, in Connecticut, USA
Died: James Robert Boyce, on January 2, 2009
Peacefully at Clinton Public Hospital on Friday, January 2, 2009 Mr. James Robert Boyce of Goderich and formerly of Bayfield in his 79th year. Beloved husband of Alice (Beaver- Johnston) Boyce. Dear step-father and step- father-in-law of Bonnie Johnston of London, Danny and Mary Johnston of Sarnia and Cheryl Valad of London. Also loved by 6 step grandchildren and 4 step great grandchildren. Dear brother and brother-in- law of Grace and Tom Young of Goderich, Mary Garner of London, Harvey and Vivian Boyce of London, Clayton and Rosie Boyce and Kenneth and Shirley Boyce all of Goderich and Eileen Brunskill of London. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by 2 sisters Ila Good and Viola Haskell and 1 brother Harold Boyce. Friends will be received at the Falconer Funeral Homes Ltd. - Bluewater Chapel, 201 Suncoast Drive E., Goderich on Sunday from 2 - 5 p.m. where the Funeral Service will be held on Monday January 5, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Spring Interment St. Peters Lutheran Cemetery, Zurich. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the Alzheimer Society of Huron would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy
Born: October 30, 2008. Payton Olivia Scott
At Stratford General Hospital, to Jamie and Sherri (Talbot) Scott a son.
Died: Shirley Ann Pearl Dickson, on October 8, 2008.
It is with sadness the family announces the passing of Shirley Ann Pearl Dickson, nee Storey, at Bluewater Health Center, Sarnia on Wednesday, October 8, 2008, in her 67th year. Beloved wife of Robert E. Dickson of Kettle Point. Dear mother of James (Cheryl) Watson, Brian Watson and Patricia (Bruce) Savile, all of Stratford. Step-mother to Kimberly (Rob) Short of St. Thomas and Bobbi Ann (Randy) Fleming of New Sarum. Cherished grandmother of Brent and Scott Watson of London and Alicia and Shane Savile of Stratford. Grandma to Trish Want, and Courtney and Tyler Powell, all of Stratford, Christine and Robbi Short of St. Thomas and Cynthia and Richard Fleming of New Sarum. Survived by sisters Gwen (John) Patterson of Bayfield, Joyce Doig of Seaforth, Darlene Storey of Toronto and Fay (Bruce) Woollings of Guelph, Predeceased by parents Beatrice and Morley Storey, brother-in-law Rod Doig, step-son Jason Dickson and step-granddaughter Rebecca Short. A celebration of life will take place at Whitney-Ribey Funeral Home, 87 Goderich Street West, Seaforth on Saturday, October 11 at 2:00 pm. Family will receive visitors from 12:00 noon prior to the service. Pastor Stephen Hildebrand will officiate. Cremation has taken place. Private family interment Baird's Cemetery, Stanley Township. Donations to Canadian Cancer Society or charity of your choice is appreciated.
Married: September 6, 2008. Thomas John TJ Armstrong to Jessica Meagan Colleen Hanlon
Thomas John T.J. Armstrong son of Frederick and Carol (Desjardine) Armstrong of Sarnia Married Jessica Meagan Colleen Hanlon daughter of Thomas and Patricia Hanlon of Sarnia on September 6, 2008. The early September wedding took place in St Benedicts Church in Sarnia. The couple will live in Windsor, Ontario.
Married: June 7, 2008. Michael John Stephenson to Michelle Newman
Michael John Stephenson son of Blaine and Leisa (Ritchie) Stephenson of Varna, Ontario was married on June 7, 2008 to Michelle Newman daughter of Rick and Brenda Newman of Listowel, Ontario. The June wedding took place in Trinity United Church, Listowell.
NEWS:
Bill Stanbury: Has been awarded the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship Award
Letter to the Editor, Wednesday April 02, 2008
Dear: Editor
Quiet, unassuming, an absolute gentleman and recipient of the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.
Thats Bill Stanbury. Bill is a long-serving Goderich Lions Club member and received this award on Thursday, March 27 of this year.
The Melvin Jones Fellowship Award is the Lions Clubs highest honor and is given to Lions members or members of the community who demonstrate humanitarian qualities such as generosity, compassion, and concern for the less fortunate. Bill has always had a very strong commitment to his family, neighbours and to his community. He has been involved with not only The Goderich Lions Club, but minor hockey, his church and the greater community. Bill played a very significant role with the dialysis crisis that this community was faced with throughout the 90s, showing compassion and leadership in helping those who were in need. But that is his character. Hes the guy who will drop what hes doing in order to help someone else. Congratulations, Bill. Well deserved.
John Grace
Goderich
Cemetery Improvements
In late 2006, thanks to some money from the 2004 reunion and the hard work of Greg Armstrong and others, much-required improvements to have been made to several of our ancestors' headstones in the Bayfield Cemetery. You can see the improvements in photos of some of the headstones on the photo gallery page.