Obituary of Leona Thomson

Thomson, Leona 

With sadness and relief, the family of Leona Thomson (Gingrich, Shantz) announces her peaceful passing at age 99, surrounded by her family, on December 21, 2021 at Nithview Long Term Care, New Hamburg.

Predeceased by her first husband Leonard Shantz (1980) and her second husband Hugh A. Thomson (2008).

Leona was born April 17, 1922 on the 4th Line of Peel near Floradale. Known as her “father’s little boy” she loved farm life and had a passion for the animals, especially horses. In recent years she often spoke of this time of her life even as dementia caused her memory to fade.

A woman of strength, she was the devoted mother of Clint and Phyllis Shantz of Florida, Jan Shantz and Gail Myhr of Montreal, the late Linda Shoemaker (Stuart), Elaine and Dale Shantz of Bayfield, Mark Shantz of B.C, Dale Shantz and Jade Herder of London. The quote “give your children roots to grow and wings to fly” was Leona’s motto as she raised her children with love and encouraged each of them to pursue their own dreams and happiness. She had a strong faith in God and was active in the church. She was an avid reader, enjoyed travel, a good game of scrabble and was a kind and generous friend to many.

Dear Gramma of Heidi and Terry Banicki, Eric Shantz, Alexander and Isabel Sierra Flores, Julie Myhr, Dean and Victoria Shoemaker, Heather and Dave French, Andrea and Chris Brissette, Sarah and Kevin Henhoeffer. She also leaves her great-grandchildren Eric Alexander Shantz, Emily Shantz, Koron Coutre, Maya and Aaron Vuletici, Ryan French, Jake Brissette and Erin Bordman, Mackenzie Brissette, Madalyn Henhoeffer and Sydney Henhoeffer, and her great-great grandchildren James Coutre, Bella Vuletici, Jack Shantz Bordman and Leo Shantz Bordman.

Fondly remembered by her brother-in-law Vernon Sauder, and the Hugh Thomson family: Andrew and Sandra, John and Valerie, Doug, Anne and John Kearsley and their families.

Predeceased by her parents Elam and Sarah Gingrich, her sisters Minerva and husband Emil Martin, and Erma Sauder.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, there will be no public visitation. Cremation has taken place. A private family graveside service will happen at Elmira Mennonite Church cemetery with Pastor Jonathan Brubacher officiating. A private memorial service with public livestream viewing will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 29 at Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira. The livestream can be located on Leona’s tribute page of the funeral home website.

Donations to MEDA Grow 2 project would be appreciated and may be made through the funeral home.

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

Donations:

To donate direct, please send cheques or donate online to the charity of your choice. Call us at the funeral home, 519-669-2207 and we will place a card to the family (as always, we still accept cash or cheque at the funeral home)

MEDA Grow 2 Project
595 Parkside Drive
Suite 2
Waterloo, ON, Canada
N2L 0C7
donations@meda.org
Phone: 1-800-665-7026 or 519-725-1633