It is with sadness that we share the news of Agatha Tawaststjerna’s peaceful passing on December 15th, 2023 in Collingwood, Ontario. Agatha was born on April 5, 1929, in Toronto, Ontario. She was the daughter of Thomas D’Arcy and Lillian Leonard. Agatha was predeceased by Jack, Anne, Kathleen, Stephanie, and Conrad. She was the mother of Leonard (Heather), Gregory (Kathy), Sonja (Daryl), Gander (JoJo), Anna, David (Sarah), Granny to Andrew, Kevin (Charlotte), D’Arcy, Chloe, John, Olivia (predeceased), Samantha, Eve, George (Madeleine), Sean, Griffin, Thomas, Katie, and Great Granny to Sloane. Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of those she touched.
Mass took place late December in Collingwood. Donations can be made to Collingwood General and Marine Hospital https://cgmhf.com/
Connie passed away early in the morning on January 9, 2023 at the North York General Hospital at the age of 100, after suffering a stroke.
She will be dearly missed by her loving daughter, Barbara and by her beloved grandson, Cooper. Connie (nee McKelvie) is predeceased by her husband Gordon, her mother, (Minnie), father (Frank) and dear brothers Clark (Betty), Frank and Bill (Faye).
Connie was kind and thoughtful, always leaving the fruits of her gardening endeavours on the doorsteps of friends. She loved spending time with family. She was always up for fun or a new adventure. She and Gord had many wonderful memories of the people they met and the experiences they had while living in Newfoundland, Honduras, Toronto and Sturgeon Point. She loved to travel. England, Iceland, Turkey and Egypt were some of her favourite trips.
Connie went to McMaster University for her teaching degree and taught home economics and “English as a Second Language” in schools across Ontario. She loved to read and maintained a keen interest in nutrition and health throughout her life. An excellent swimmer, in her twenties, Connie joined an ornamental swimming group in Peterborough that toured throughout Canada. Connie had a life-long love of the outdoors and enjoyed gardening, walking, swimming, golfing and skiing.
In recent years she lived in a retirement home in Toronto where she was affectionately known as “Sparkles” and loved to walk each day, sing songs, (You Are my Sunshine) and join in exercise programs. She will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, if desired a memorial donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the CNIB would be appreciated by the family.
Please join the celebration of life, honouring Connie, on Sunday, February, 26th at 2pm in person at the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 89 Colborne St, Fenelon Falls or remotely via Zoom.
