Beatrice Earlene Monkman (Gripton), 87, passed away on December 26, 2023 in Georgetown, Ontario. Earlene was the first child of Earl and Annabell Gripton; born on May 8, 1936 in Strathroy, Ontario.
Earlene is predeceased by her parents, brother Bruce Gripton and brother-in-law Keith Monkman. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Ralph, daughters Nancy Hickey and Karen Wanless, sons-in-law Paul Hickey and Douglas Wanless, six grandchildren: David, Caroline (Trevor Davis) and Jack Hickey, Megan Rogers (Bruce), Ben Wanless (Davis) and Max Wanless (Brandy) and great-grandchildren Skyler Rogers and Spencer Davis. She is also survived by her sister Donna Limon, brother-in law Robert (Bob) Limon and sisters-in-law Nancy Gripton and Catherine Monkman.
Earlene was a loving wife to Ralph for over 62 years. She was a fabulous mother to Nancy and Karen. She will be dearly missed.
Earlene had an artistic flair and was always keen to try new things. She was an excellent seamstress and sewed many beautiful outfits for Nancy and Karen. She was involved in the Rug Hookers Guild. Ralph and the girls remember packing up her many creations and heading off to the annual convention where her work was displayed and often recognized for her skill at creating life-like images using pieces of yarn on burlap. The girls are very grateful to have some of her pieces to treasure. In the 1980’s she took up tole painting and soon opened a studio where she taught others the craft.
Earlene loved to read and was a faithful supporter of the local library in Brampton and later Georgetown. She always had several books on hold at the library and enjoyed a trip to town to pick up the latest bestseller.
The family would like to extend sincere thanks and gratitude to the many caregivers that so lovingly assisted Earlene in her latter days.
Cremation has taken place. According to Earlene’s wishes there will be no funeral service. Earlene will be laid to rest at the Monkman ancestral plot at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bolton Ontario.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
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Don and Barb. Limon
To the family of Earlene. So sorry for your loss
Leo Buckle
To the Monkman Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. May her loving memories comfort you in the days ahead.
Joanne Thompson
To the Monkman Family
We are so sorry for your loss, our prayers are with you and know you are held in our hearts.
Rod, Mary and Joanna
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Thinking about you and your family and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Mary, Rod and Joanna
Stan, Marion and Sandy McKichan
Thoughts and prayers for Ralph and family at this difficult time.
Scott and Connie Gripton
Our deepest condolences to Uncle Ralph, Nancy, Karen and families. Aunt Earlene will be fondly remembered. May she rest in peace.
Janie Vafiades
To all the Monkman family…Ralph I am so sorry for your loss. I will miss all the family news Earlene sent out to her cousins every new year. What a special person she was. May you find peace knowing she is resting now. Always in my thoughts.
Colleen Jack
We are very sorry for the loss of Mrs. Monkman.
She certainly lived a full and giving life .
May she Rest In Peace.
Colleen and Donald Jack
Richard & Muriel Steeb
Dear Ralph and all of the Monkman family. We send our heartfelt sympathy to each and every one of you as you mourn the loss of your precious Earlene. She was a true Blessing to all of you. We are so sorry and please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Muriel & Richard Steeb
Your Short cousins
Joe Gray
Ralph and families.
Our sincere condolences to you all for the loss of Earlene. Our thoughts and prayers for you at this difficult time. May she live on in all the fond memories that you have over the years.
Elaine and Joe Gray
Dennis and Susan Browne
Mr. Monkman, Nancy, Karen, and extended family – deepest sympathies on the loss of your beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. A good mother is the lynchpin of a family and the loss can feel overwhelming. We hope that eventually today’s shock and sadness will give way to the comfort of warm memories. Thinking of you all.
Judith Adler
I’m sorry Nancy. without having ever having had a chance to meet your mother I imagine her aesthetic sensibility , love of books and other qualities as known in you. May her memory be a blessing to you all your life.
Karen Kennedy
Nancy, Karen and Mr. Monkman, I am so sorry to hear of your bereavement. Please accept my sincere condolences, may you find comfort in your happy memories
Marie, Beth, Leah, Dan Wilton and family
Dear Ralph, Nancy, Karen and families. We were saddened to hear of the passing of Earlene. Ross always thought of her as a sister and we have all come to think of her as such a special person. We have such fond memories of times with Earlene and your family and we send our love to each one of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and please know that we do understand how much you are missing her, as we are missing Ross. Love, Marie, Beth, Leah, Dan and our families
Shirley Rendell
Nancy, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I echo Judith’s sentiment. This is a very difficult happening in your life, but your happy memories will sustain you. She’s not gone Nancy, she’s just gone ahead.
Sincerely
Shirley
Carey Mollenhauer
Meg and family, I am so sad to hear of your grandma’s passing. She sounds like a very special person who will be dearly missed by all.
Janice Gripton
To Uncle Ralph, Nancy, Karen and families, We are saddened to hear of Aunt Earlene’s passing. We remember her fondly, with her big smile and laugh. Our thoughts are with you.
Janice, Ben and Sam
Christine and Derek, Henry and Oliver
Mike, Rosemary and Family
Dear Ralph, Nancy, Karen and families,
How sorry we were to hear about Earlene’s passing. We have many fond memories of her at the farm, the Carriage Classic or just the get togethers with the cousins. She will be dearly missed.
Lynda and John Hickey
Nancy,
We are so sad to hear of the passing of your mom. Sending our deepest condolences to you and your family. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
John and Lynda
Dianne Susin
Ralph, Nancy & Karen, so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was a strong lady with a great compassionate and generous spirit. I am so gratefully to have known her as a friend for as many years as we had. My best to all of you.
Phyllis Moffatt
Sorry for your loss Ralph and girls. I did not know her at all, but knew you Ralph as I grew up just down from your farm on the 2nd line east. Then my Dad sold and we came to this side of Brampton. yours sincerely Phyllis Moffatt (nee Terry). Earl Terry’s youngest daughter.
David Julian
Ralph & family, so sorry to hear of Earlene’s passing, please accept my sincere condolences. David Julian
David and Jean Dmytryk
Nancy
Our deepest sympathy to you and your entire family on the loss of your Mother. We are thinking of you at this difficult time, and wish you peace and comfort in her memory.
Dave and Jean
Peter Presant
Karen, Nancy: I have such positive memories of your Mom and spending time at your house and farm when I was young. I always admired the interest she took in so many different subjects and how skilled she was with her hands. Ralph: you and Earlene were a solid presence for me growing up and I think of you as part of my family. I am thinking of all of you during this difficult time.
pete