PEOPLE & PLACES
TRIBUTES TORONTO—Effie Marie Ball was born in Bell Island, N.L., in 1923, to Richard and Fannie Mercer as one of 14 children. Early in Effie’s life, the family moved to Glace Bay, N.S. At the age of 18, she travelled to Toronto for work and lived with her Aunt Annie and Uncle Tom Moulton, on Lisgar Street. The family attended Lisgar Street Corps where Effie caught the eye of a young band member named Arthur Ball and they were married in 1946. Through 52 years of marriage, they were a loving couple, faithful servants and dedicated Salvationists. Effie served as a cub pack leader, songster sergeant, directory teacher, Sunday school teacher and corps hostess. A special time in Effie’s life was the 21 years she spent as the chief housekeeper at Toronto’s Meighen Lodge helping seniors and planning THQ and DHQ Christmas parties. In 1975, Effie and Arthur felt the call to officership and served as auxiliary-captains at the Army’s seniors’ home in Prince Edward Island. After Arthur’s promotion to glory in 1998, Effie continued her strong example as a loving mother and Salvationist. Left with cherished memories are Effie’s son, Charlie (Joy); daughter, Susan (Bill); six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and friends. WINDSOR, ONT.—Wilma Lillian Paterson was born in 1936 to officer parents, Major and Mrs. Arthur and Lillian Robinson. She accepted Christ as a young child and served with her parents and siblings Bill and Betty in corps in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Settling in Windsor, Wilma married George Watts in 1957 and they were blessed with two daughters. She served at Walkerville Corps, Ont., Windsor Citadel and South Windsor Citadel in a variety of positions, including as young people’s sergeant-major, songster, league of mercy secretary, Over 60’s co-ordinator, Sunday school teacher, corps cadet leader and band member. The league of mercy was her calling for many years until 2000 when she felt called to serve in Latvia, which she did on three occasions. Wilma was devoted to the Lord and continued to witness until her promotion to glory, telling others that her bags were packed and she was going “home.” Wilma was predeceased by her husband, George Watts; second husband, Samuel Paterson; son-in-law, Uriel Domb; and sister, Lieutenant Betty Wilson. She is survived by daughters Victoria Watts and Elizabeth (BJ) Domb; grandchildren Sarah Lorenz (Kevin), Michael Watts (Rachel), Gabrielle Domb, Arielle Domb and Michael Domb; great-grandchildren Teddy and Alex Lorenz, and Greyson Watts; and brother, Bill Robinson. VICTORIA—Major Harry Hickson was born in 1926 in Dalston, England, to John and Mary Hickson. During the Second World War, at the age of 15, Harry was an apprentice motor fitter for military vehicles. He entered the army as a driver mechanic and then served with the Royal Navy. In 1949, Harry immigrated to Brandon, Man., and undertook psychiatric nurse’s training at the Brandon Hospital for Mental Diseases. He worked for nine years as an infirmary nurse and as the hospital recreation director for 14 years. Harry married Hazel Ellen Morden, a registered nurse, in 1952, and in 1960, they began attending Brandon Citadel. Together with their three children, they entered the College for Officer Training in Toronto in 1963, in the Proclaimers of the Faith Session. They served as corps officers in Dunnville, Hamilton and Strathroy, Ont., and in Prince George, B.C. Harry served for 17 years as a federal prison chaplain in Kingston, Ont., Victoria and Chilliwack, B.C., before his final appointment at Victoria Harbour Light. In retirement, Harry ministered online through spirit lifters. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Major Hazel Hickson; daughters Melody (Robert) Ringheim and Maureen (Larry) Derbyshire; and son, Marshall (Karen) Hickson.
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DEER LAKE, N.L.—Louise Margaret Burton (nee Francis) was born in Norris Point, N.L., in 1954. She was a home league member, which she attended regularly and enjoyed very much. Louise was predeceased by her husband, Glen; father, Stanley Francis; parents-in-law Charles and Louise Burton; brother-in-law, Charles Burton. She is survived by her mother, Beatrice Francis; children Shannon and Lisa; grandchildren Jasmine, Charlie and Brea; siblings Gloria Francis (George), Nina Mezhinska (Dimi), Jim Francis (Angela) and Jennifer Payne (Henry); nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. SURREY, B.C.—Lt-Colonel Bruce Halsey was born in 1928 in Winnipeg, the eldest of three children. He entered the training college at 18 and spent a year after commissioning as a cadet sergeant before serving in corps appointments. In 1955, Bruce married Catherine Morrison, an officer nurse, and they welcomed four children. Bruce and Cathie served in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Boston, Philadelphia and Ottawa. He obtained his MSW and devoted most of his officership to social services where he compassionately assisted thousands experiencing life’s difficulties. In the late 1980s, Bruce was appointed government liaison officer in Ottawa where, at the invitation of the Soviet embassy, he led a Canadian team to the Soviet Union to explore the possibility of reopening the Army’s work. Later in his career and into retirement, he was a chaplain at Vancouver Grace Hospital and Vancouver International Airport. During his last years, Bruce battled dementia and other physical ailments with dignity and courage. Predeceased by Cathie, his wife of 57 years, Bruce is remembered by sisters Cherie (Vince) and Fairie (Murray); children David, Gordon, Donald (Denise) and Joanne (Andrew); grandchildren Esther (Matt), Dionne (Mike), Donna, Bradley (fiancée Kate), Lauren, Andrea (Timothy), Caitlin, Isabel, Amy and Marissa; and great-grandson, Lincoln. BURNABY, B.C.—Jean A’Bear (nee Simpson) was born in Sydney Mines, N.S., in 1940 as the fifth of six children of Salvationists John and Agnes Simpson. As a young person, Jean moved with her family to Ontario and attended the Army in Sarnia and Oakville. In 1960, Jean entered the training college in the Soldiers of Christ Session and in the spring of her second year, she was sent to London, Ont., where she met Geoff A’Bear. They married in 1963, served as officers for 14 years and raised four children. On leaving full-time ministry, Jean worked as a medical transcriptionist for more than 35 years. She loved the Lord and was a faithful soldier of Cariboo Hill Temple. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, sewing, baking, photography and travelling, and had a deep love for her family. Predeceased by siblings Florence Genovy, Alice MacDonald, Jim Simpson and Major Wally Simpson, Jean is sadly missed by her husband, Geoff; children Ruth (Maciu) Macanawai, Kim (Richard) Mayberry, Margaret Selwood and David (Jane) A’Bear; nine grandchildren; sister, Marie (Bob) Smith; sister-in-law, Major Lorraine Simpson-Leonard; nieces, nephews and extended family in eastern Canada and England. CAMBRIDGE, ONT.—June Jones was born in Birmingham, England, in 1943. She was invited to a service at the South Yardley Corps by a friend, and it was there that she began a lifetime of service as a band member and young people’s sergeant-major. Immigrating to Canada in 1972, June continued her dedication to God and the Army in Galt/Cambridge serving in the corps bus ministry, and as a primary Sunday school teacher, league of mercy secretary and songster. Her love of people was a gift. Everyone was special to June, particularly children. June was employed by the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario, from where she retired. Her amazing smile was infectious. June is missed by her many nieces and nephews in England and Canada, and long-time friend, Mona Haskell, retired songster leader. Salvationist May 2016 29