With small, precise stitches Elda Jean Ward sewed her family tightly around her. She joined together and kept together, not only family but also friends, with her threads of devotion, giving, love, laughter, determination and hard work.

Never one to complain, no one knew how sick Elda really was, and so it was on Monday, September 28, 2015 that Elda passed away suddenly at Grey Bruce Health Services, Owen Sound in her 81^st year.

Born July 9, 1935 in Elderslie Township to William and Olive (Kerr) Middleton.  Elda attended Lockerby School, Chesley High School and Business College in Guelph. On June 4, 1955 Elmer and Elda were married at Geneva Presbyterian Church and over the next eleven years, four children were born to them.

Camping, time spent at the cottage and winters in Texas were favourite past times for Elda. She loved gardening, especially her flowers and colour – lots of colour!

To say that Elda was a social butterfly would be an understatement.  She loved visiting and sharing a good joke or a story with family and friends. Elda greatly enjoyed her volunteer work, especially as a Kinette and at the Day Away program. Acting as an advocate for the less fortunate was top priority for Elda, especially when it came to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a tremendous love for her family and was entirely devoted to them. She was also devoted to Elmer, working side by side with him on the farm, in the Pro Hardware Store in Chesley and raising their family. Elda was thoroughly involved in her children’s lives from teaching 4H to working in the food booth at the arena, to driving the boys to hockey and camping with her children in the trailer during Camp season.

Her family loved her baking, especially her squares. Trying to keep dainties in the house for company was a real challenge for Elda as they always mysteriously disappeared out of the freezer. She was very adept at cooking and canning, as well. Another favourite pastime of Elda’s was to sew, quilt and do needlework.

Fondly remembered by her husband Elmer; children Vernon (Diane), Wayne, Murray and Elaine (David) Brears; grandchildren Christina, Erin, Candace, Olivia, Emma, Ryan, Zackary, Calista, Jasmin, Nicole, Bradey, Travis, Tristan and great-grandsons, Lennon and Bodhi; and siblings Leone, Richard, Merle, Elva, Tom, Rena and Gordon. She was predeceased by her siblings Syd, Evelyn, Murray, Charlie, John, Alvin and Lorne as well as her parents, William and Olive (Kerr) Middleton.

A private celebration of Elda’s life will be held followed by inurnment in Chesley Cemetery.

Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Hanover & District Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.