Blanche Willis was born at home, on the 10th of Elderslie, on Wednesday, March 7, 1923. She was the second oldest child of Charles John and Hazel Blanche (Davis) Calhoun’s children and was welcomed by older sister Joy (1918). The Calhouns operated a mixed farm, and the girls were soon joined by younger siblings Willard (1926), Donna (1937), Ronald (1938), and Leonard (1945). The children attended S.S. #11, west of the farm, however, given the times Blanche did not go on to attend high school.
As one of the oldest, Blanche was tasked with many chores around the farm. Stories were told of her raking hay with the horses and regularly milking cows by hand. In addition to helping at home, Blanche spent some time working at the Dobbinton General Store, as well as helping a variety of neighbours with numerous tasks including baking, cooking, housecleaning, and childcare.
As a teenager, Blanche often accompanied her dad on trips to town. On one such occasion, they made a stop at the feed mill (former Co-op) in Chesley to pick up some grain whereby Blanche waited patiently in the car. Moments later a young man by the name of Gordon Leslie Elder stopped by her window to say hello and as they say the rest is history. The young couple often frequented Bailey’s Hall in Tara or took in a local show and were eventually wed at a small wedding on the Calhoun homestead. The union took place on Saturday, April 19, 1941, and was performed by Rev. Curran with the newlyweds travelling to Port Colborne and Niagara Falls for their honeymoon.
Once married, Blanche moved to the Elder homestead on Sideroad 6 in Sullivan Township, where she and Gordon resided with her in-laws, John and Edith Elder. Together, the four of them resided under the same roof for the next four years, whereby the Elder family grew with the additions of Helen (1942) and Keith (1945). Having outgrown the house, the senior Elders soon moved into town and in time Gordon and Blanche welcomed daughters June (1948) and Bernice (1952). In addition to caring for her young family, Blanche was regularly found outside helping Gordon with the chores and farm work. They raised 400 roosters each year in addition to milking twelve cows, by hand I might add, daily. When hydro was installed in 1949, more cows were added to their herd, they added a milking machine and soon sold milk rather than cream. Blanche also helped with the field work during the haying and harvest seasons, and then headed into the house to prepare meals for all the help. To say Blanche kept busy would be an understatement.
Blanche was an avid craftswoman and did a lot of knitting and sewing. In addition to the small items like socks, Blanche made most of the children’s clothes growing up. This included nearly all the dresses for the girls until they reached high school and many play clothes and suits for Keith. In later years these creations of love were made and given to her grandchildren and the generations that followed. Everyone in the family appreciated Blanche’s talent, and her giving didn’t stop there. Through the years she made countless double quilts for family and friends and was also an avid painter. On her 95th birthday, Blanche gifted each member of her family one of her oil paintings, another gift to remember her by. She was also a gifted gardener, loving to spend time working with her flowers and in her flowerbeds. The Elder home was always surrounded by a variety of beautiful, colourful flowers which were appreciated by many. Blanche was also a gifted musician, learning to play the piano in her childhood. She used this talent to become the regular organist at Peabody United Church, where she, Gordon, and the kids attended for fourteen years until its closure. Once members of St. John’s, Blanche continued to give of her time and talents and blessed those around her with her beautiful music. This love of music has since been passed down to her children, grandchildren, and beyond, with many of them being able to attribute this passion back to Blanche.
Although always busy on the farm, Blanche and Gordon did make some time to go out and enjoy themselves. Blanche was an active member of the Marmion Women’s Institute and St. John’s U.C.W. Together with Gordon, she enjoyed dancing and soon took up square dancing. They soon became members of the Happy Twirlers in Hanover and continued dancing there for over twenty-five years. They were also active in the Happy Doubles Club at St. John’s United Church and enjoyed the opportunity to socialize with friends and family alike. Although not big travellers, in the mid 80’s they took their first (and last) airplane trip to Florida with June’s family and saw most of our beautiful country. Many stories were told of memorable times playing games within the Elder home. These times always included much laughter, whereby a variety of card games like euchre, spoons, and rummy were often played. In later years, Monopoly was also introduced, and the Elder family spent countless hours enjoying each other’s company.
Blanche was a loving, caring woman, who always looked after the needs of others before her own. She was also the disciplinarian in the family, so the kids had to keep on their toes when they pushed the boundaries. All joking aside, Blanche had a great sense of humour, however, that didn’t mean she wasn’t a bit of a worrier. Her strong faith also played a vital role in Blanche’s life, and she thankfully passed on these strong values and traits to her children. Blanche was also very talented in the kitchen. In addition to much preserving, Blanche was well known for her apple pies, handmade bread, and honey dip donuts… yum, yum! If she was looking for a treat, Blanche often enjoyed a delicious butter tart or a delightful bowl of ice cream, with Maple Walnut being a favourite. She loved old country music as well as a variety of gospel.
In 1990, Blanche and Gordon built their retirement home on a small parcel of land on the east side of their home farm. Although not wanting to slow down, it was time, and they eventually settled into their retirement years. During this period of their life, they treasured additional time spent with family and friends and welcoming the younger generations of their family. Thankfully, they were blessed with relatively good health and remained in their own home and independent well into their 90’s. Sadly, Gordon passed away in 2015, and Blanche was left on her own for the first time in almost 75 years. With the support of friends and family, Blanche remained at home until 2018, whereby she became a resident of Elgin Abbey in Chesley. In recent years she called Kelso Villa in Owen Sound home, doing remarkably well given her age, with the exception of her eyesight. Sadly, a serious infection, a week ago was the beginning of the end and Blanche passed away surrounded by her family on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, in her 100th year.
Loving mother of Helen (Jack) Cumming of Port Elgin, Keith (Sherry) Elder of R.R. #4 Chesley, June Craig of Guelph, and Bernice (Don) Ewart of Owen Sound. Blanche will be dearly missed by her fifteen grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Cherished sister of Donna Bryce of R.R. #2 Paisley, Ron (Marlene) Calhoun of Hanover, and Leonard (Pat) Calhoun of Marl Lake. Blanche was predeceased by her husband Gordon, sister Joy (Carmen) Cruickshank, brother Willard (Helen) Calhoun, brother-in-law John Bryce, sister-in-law Eloise Calhoun and her parents Charles and Hazel (Davis) Calhoun.
Visitation will be held at St. John’s United Church, Chesley on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, from 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. with the service to follow at 12 noon. Interment in Chesley Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Residential Hospice of Grey Bruce or CNIB Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
Helen & Jack & Bernice and Don and family.
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of your Mother.
Bernice, Don and family…sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing…she was a lovely lady and will surely be missed. Our deepest condolences…thinking of you at this difficult time.
Blanche was a remarkable lady. Our sincere sympathies to her children and their families.
Don,Bernice, Ron and Marlene
Sincere sympathy to you and families.
May all your memories bring you comfort in the days ahead.
Love to all
Marion& Bert
Dear Helen, ILL. Sr. Jack and family: may God hold you and yours in the palm of His hand and give you peace and comfort at this difficult time in your life.
Our sincere condolences to the families. Sorry for your loss.
Sincere sympathy Helen and Jack and family. You will have many fond memories of your mother and grandmother.
Stewart and Olive
Sincere condolences to Helen, Keith, June and Bernice on the passing of their mother Blanche. She was a strong and gracious woman who was very active in the local community.
Her presence will be sadly missed by all members of the Calhoun and Elder families.
May your memories of her sustain and comfort you.
My sincere condolences to the families. Blanche was a lovely, sweet lady and will be sadly missed.
Our sincere condolences to all of you. She was a lovely lady and always had a smile for me when I visited my sister Isabelle at the Villa. We shared some good laughs. Treasure your memories.
Sending my sincere condolences to all of you. Blanche was my table mate at Kelso Villa after Leith had passed away and we had 8 months of sharing good conversations and lots of memories from days gone by. I will miss her. Remember all your family memories.
Isabelle Elder
My sincere condolences to the Elder family. Many childhood memories were recalled from reading Blanche’s obituary. Blanche was a wonderful person and a good friend to Bertha Minke.
My heartfelt thoughts are with you.
Sending my sincere condolences to all of you. Blanche was a beautiful lady, always so gracious and kind. I always enjoyed chatting with her. Praying you will find comfort as you journey through this sad time.
Our sincere thoughts and prayers at this time of loss.
What a wonderful long life she lived. Memories of her many talents, music, garden, baking etc.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Elder Family at this difficult time.
Remember all you happy memories.
Our sincere condolences to the Elder and Calhoun families. Blanche was a truly talented and wonderful woman. May the memories you share give you comfort today and in the days to come.
She had a very busy and long happy life.
So sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother. May you treasure all the memories you had with her.
To Bernice and family,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your mother. May all your memories sustain you at this difficult time
Please accept our sincerest condolences on your loss.
Helen, Jack and family
We are sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
So sorry for your loss. Blanche was a beautiful lady, inside and out.
My sincere condolences for the loss of Blanche. She was obviously well loved and she lived a long very full life. I want to express directly to Bernice how sorry I was to read of her mother’s passing I know you and your family will miss this lovely lady. Hold her memory in your hearts.
Sincere sympathy to the Elder & Calhoun families. I loved chatting with Blanche when I visited Aunt June in Chesley. Keeping you in my prayers 🙏
Sincere sympathy to the Elder and Calhoun families
Many fond memories growing up and having the Elders as our neighbours
Our thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time
Doug and Jean
Bernice, Don & Family~our sincere sympathy to you during this difficult time. Thinking of you all.
Sympathy to all the family.
Many fond memories of times in WI.and the old neighbourhood.
A lovely lady.
Helen, Jack and family: Thinking of you and the legacy Mrs. Elder has given all of you – a love of music, a strong faith, and caring family. You are held in our thoughts and prayers. Sincere sympathy, George and Bonnie Holliday
Sorry for your loss.
Our deepest sympathy to the elder and Calhoun families
Bernice and Family,
Sending my Deepest Sympathy in the loss of your Mother.
She was a wonderful lady. Imagine 99. Wow. She was so sharp. You will be missed Aunt Blanche.
So sorry for your loss
To Bernice & Don Ewart and family
We send our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your mother
Dan and Jan Gibbs
To Bernice & Don Ewart and family
Very sorry for your loss
Our deepest sympathy, to the Elder/Calhoun families. Blanch will be missed by all, who lives she touched, she was a wonderful lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God supply the comfort you need.
Please accept our sincere condolences on your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
So sorry to hear of Blanche’s passing. My condolences to the Elder-Calhoun families. She was a lovely lady and I remember her fondly.
She is one of those people in our life that makes memories special and I know you will all enjoy yours May the peace of God be with you all
My deepest sympathies to the Elder-Calhoun families.
Cherish your loving memories of your loved one!
Praying that our great GOD continue to give you all comfort and strength.
Sincere sympathy on the loss of your mom Blanche. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Our deepest sympathy. Cherish all the memories.
Thinking of u all at this difficult time. Deepest sympathy is expressed to everyone.
So sorry to hear of Blanche’s passing…we always enjoyed our conversations with Blanche when she was a resident of Elgin Abbey…
Sorry to hear of Blanche’s passing.It was always a delight to talk to her and Gordon. Please accept our deepest sympathy.Cherish all those great memories.