A listing of all the members who have helped us over the years and have now passed away.
Minerva Holton passed away at age 84.
Minerva has been a true inspiration to our ostomy community.
She had been responsible for collecting and sending supplies from the Ostomy Canada Chapter Moncton to FOWC for the past few years. This helped FOWC achieve its goals of helping ostomates around the world live better lives.
In memory of
Doris Marion Whate
April 26, 1937 – January 27, 2017
See obit here, or here.
Marion was always there to lend a helping hand in our pack and sorts whenever the need arose. Marion, you will be missed.
Astrid Graham
Passed away peacefully on Monday, October 17 at the Ottawa Heart Institute at age 76. Beloved wife of Doug Graham. Loving mother of Detlef Kruse (Susan). Cherished grandmother of Leanna and Colin. Predeceased by her parents Franz Freier and Emma Schorr and brother Frank. She is fondly remembered by numerous friends and family members in Germany and Canada. Born in Germany, Astrid immigrated to Canada in 1963 and made her home in Ottawa where she met and married Doug. She took early retirement from the City of Ottawa as the Manager of Computing Services after thirty years. She dedicated many years to volunteering for non-profit organizations including the Royal Ottawa Hospital, Friends of Ostomates Worldwide, and Ottawa Ostomy Support Group. Not an ostomate herself, she founded Ottawa Ostomy Outreach and continued her caring commitment by collecting donated ostomy supplies to sort and ship to needy ostomates in developing countries. She was recognized for her compassion and dedication to international humanitarian work. Aside from her volunteer activities, Astrid liked to cook, garden, and travel and was very much involved in Doug and her grandchildren’s lives. She will be deeply missed and will remain an inspiration to all of those whose lives she touched. In keeping with Astrid’s wishes, there will be no visitation. A private family cremation service was held. A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, November 5 at 10:00 a.m. at the Pinecrest Remembrance Chapel (2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ottawa Ostomy Support Group or the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.ottawacitizen.com/remembering.
Published in The Ottawa Citizen on Oct. 22, 2016
Elizabeth A. “Bette” Yetman December 2, 1926 – January 10, 2015
Bette had an Ileostomy in 1969, performed by Dr. Fred Barton, who then asked her to start a “support group” for ostomates. She enlisted her friend, Ruth Kenney, R.N.E.T. to help and together they organized 16 groups in the four Atlantic Provinces, of which metro Halifax has the largest membership in Canada. Bette remained active in this group and did desktop publishing of newsletters including, a monthly Ostomy Chapter newsletter for 35 years and others for the Dartmouth Senior Centre and one for Friends of Ostomates Worldwide. She was a valued member of the First Baptist Church Halifax Women’s Auxiliary and took an active role in the church enjoying the fellowship. Bette became a dear friend to many people she met through her various organizations and travelling. She was always available to lend a helping hand and once you met Bette, you knew you had a friend forever. She also enjoyed reading and was very astute in local and world events. Many a good conversation took place in her favourite sunroom and she always held her ground without hesitation. I have had a very good life except for a few bumps and scrapes. My siblings and I were blessed to have highly respected and loving parents. I loved my volunteer work as it gave me the privilege to meet and work with caring people who wanted to help unfortunates return to a productive life in their communities. I was also enfolded into the loving care of my church. The centre of my universe for the past 48 years has been my loving husband, Roy
On Behalf of Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (Canada), I extend our sincerest condolences to her family.
Bette was a very sincere and upbeat individual when she was involved with FOWC. Bette was an influencing factor for so many people to get and stay involved with helping individuals get the much-needed ostomy supplies.
I had the opportunity to serve with Bette on the Board of Ostomy Canada Society (formerly the United Ostomy Association Of Canada) as a director.
Bette was gracious and made good sense.
Bette was one of the first to embrace the digital world and with that, created ”The Connection” newsletter that bound all our members across Canada together.
Bette will be missed
Ronald William Bartlett
December 18, 1921 – September 17, 2014
Ron will be remembered for his dedication to Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (Canada). As the Treasurer of FOWC Ron was always helping during our many ”Sort and Pack” days, making sure that all the paperwork was in order so that shipping was made easier.
Ron developed and maintained our mobile display and kept it up-to-date, bringing it to Chapters to be displayed showing the work done by FOWC.
His knowledge of Bylaws and Parliamentary procedures helped FOWC and UOAC to develop our constitution(s)
His help and friendship was appreciated over the years and he will be remembered fondly
Norma Stringer
1924-2014
Norma Stringer passed away in April 2014 in Collingwood ON, at the age of 90 years. She was born near Lake St. Peter ON, and lived most of her life in Ontario. She was a sales representative for Hollister Limited from 1960 until her retirement in 1976, covering at various times most of Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Her experience with Hollister led her to become one of the original supporters of the SHARE program (Sending Help and Rehabilitation Everywhere) which was the forerunner of Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (Canada). Beginning in 1982, with the late Maria Siegl, for many years Norma helped sort and pack surplus ostomy supplies to be sent to countries where there was little or no support for people with ostomies. She worked tirelessly to encourage individuals and chapters to become members of FOW (Canada). Norma was awarded the Allan Porter Memorial Award in 1993 in recognition of her long-term work with and support of FOW (Canada).
David William Metcalfe
March 15, 1927 – Sept 13, 2012
Dave was a founding member of Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (Canada).
We all remember Dave for his jovial ability to make people feel at home during the Conferences of UOAC. We especially remember Dave’s Plaid Jacket at every conference.
Through the years Dave ensured that surplus ostomy equipment was sent to FOWC and the S.H.A.R.E. Program (Sending Help and Rehabilitation Everywhere) and that legacy continues today through the generosity of the Victoria Ostomy Chapter.
Thank you Dave for all your help. Chimo Dave! You will be missed!
LORNE ARONSON
416 618 5564
Sheelah Zapf
Sheelah was a fighter for people with disabilities. Sheelah used her
strength and determination not only for herself but to help others.
Sheelah was a long-time volunteer with the United Ostomy Association of
Canada and The United Ostomy Association Inc (US), serving on the
boards of both groups. She was president of the Edmonton Chapter of the
United Ostomy Association for 32 years, only resigning from her post in June
2012.
Sheelah served on the board of the Canadian Paraplegic Association for 10
years, including two years as chair, and chaired the Red Carpet Gala
dinner and fundraiser for the CPA.
She also worked as a volunteer with the Northern Alberta Kidney
Foundation, and was its Past President at the time of her passing.
Besides the work that Sheelah accomplished in Canada, Sheelah was one
of the founding members of Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (Canada).
Sheelah recognized the need to help those people around the world
who had received ostomy surgeries, as she had, but was not able to get
ostomy supplies like she had access to.
So Sheelah being the person she was, got involved early on with FOWC, to
make sure that people around the world were able to get those much-needed ostomy supplies. She served for as many years as I can
remember, as director, Secretary and Treasurer. She was still on the board
of FOWC when she passed on
Sheelah’s efforts and dedication to those with disabilities will never be
forgotten. Rest well now Sheelah for your work is done.
Dielwen (Di) Bracken
Awarded the Allan Porter Memorial Award in 1995
These pictures are how I will remember Di Bracken, always trying to improve the lives of ostomates around the world.
From starting a local chapter of Ostomy Canada (formerly UOAC) in the early nineteen eighties to being one of the principal leaders in the nineteen nineties creating an independent national association in Canada and then a few years later becoming its President. That was just the beginning, Di went on to become the President of the International Ostomy Association the only Canadian and proud Welshwoman to do so.
When Di moved to Toronto she became involved with the local Toronto Chapter and soon became its President. Di was a very hands-on person involving herself with the fundraising. Di participated in bingo sessions that involved many nights and weekends. Di did say she enjoyed meeting all the people at the bingo hall.
But before all of that Di worked for the British Government in Hong Kong as a teacher and then went on to Japan to open a school there. That school is still in existence today. I know because Di told me a few years ago she met a young teacher on a plane when she was returning from one of her many trips that this young lady was teaching at that very school. Travel was going to be a major part of Di’s life it seemed.
I worked with Di on the Ostomy Canada Board of Directors and on the Board of Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (Canada). International affairs as far as the ostomy community were concerned was Di’s forte. Di was President of Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (Canada) early on. Di was instrumental in developing strategies on getting supplies to the neediest countries.
She was small in physical size but boy could she get her point across. One of her favourite expressions paid to me was “I’m going to smack you”. But it all was in jest, Di enjoyed a good laugh!
Di always attended sorting and packing that we did over the years. As Di got older she took on the Role of International Liaison for Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (Canada). In that position, Di was instrumental in keeping in contact with the international ostomy community.
Di I will miss you greatly, as will the ostomy community.
Lorne Aronson
