After the family gathering at Madeline's 90th birthday party in Belleville in 2014, several of the Henderson offspring have sent me information to add to this Family History. Here Joan tells about her family.
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| Alison and Joan |
Joan Carolyn (Simpson) Sherman
Born: December 23, 1947 at BGH
Graduated Ryerson University
Married: June 29, 1974 in Brockville (now divorced) to A. W. Bruce Sherman (elementary school teacher/artist)
Children:
Dr. Allison Morgan Sherman born on Oct. 20, 1979 at KGH
Allie did her undergrad and grad work at Queen's University; her PhD at St. Andrew's University, Scotland (Art History all - she speaks Italian fluently and is a Venetian Renaissance specialist); she is currently employed by the Art History Dept. at Queen's performing both teaching and administrative duties.
Andrew Malcolm Sherman born on Sept. 15, 1981 at KGH
Andrew did his undergrad work at Queen's (Biochemistry); Master's degree at University of Toronto (BioGenetics); he is currently employed by ThermoFisher Scientific-Oxoid Products as a Technical Consultant.
After meeting while both studying at Queen's and being together for 10 years, Andrew and Melissa Hill (born May 11, 1981 in Arthur, Ontario) formalized their union on June 20, 2013 at Guelph City Hall; their son Malcolm Justin Michael (named after my Father, but both referred to as Mac) was born in Guelph on February 28, 2014; they happily reside in Rockwood, Ontario, a charming bedroom community of Guelph; Melissa is an elementary school teacher.
I retired in October 2012; my full time worklife consisted of Secretary to the Publisher (Michael Davies), The Kingston Whig-Standard for 16 yrs.; Administrative role with Specialized Geriatrics at St. Mary's of the Lake Hospital, Providence Care, Kingston for 21 years. I now work only casually for Stantive Technologies Group Inc. a company founded and owned by good friends of mine Doug Girvin and Linda Ross.
At the moment my interests are my grandson!!! reading, gardening, yoga and aquafit, plus getting together socially as frequently as possible with my friends, road trips in the area and other travel as able. I particularly enjoy theatre, art galleries and writers' events. Fortunately for me, while Allison was studying at St. Andrew's in Scotland, I visited her twice and while she was doing research in Venice for her doctorate, I visited her twice. On all 4 occasions we were lucky enough to be able to do some touring in both countries.
My Mom, Enid Simpson, the youngest daughter of Will and Maggie Henderson survives her husband, Mac Simpson, who died suddenly of cardiac arrest on October 30, 2010. She continues to live independently in their Brockville home. Her adjustment to widowhood has been very difficult and her main complaint over the years since my Dad's passing has been loneliness. Beyond that she is well, although her vision is poor and her mobility increasingly compromised due to arthritis. As with a lot of us, her memory is not what it used to be either!!!
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Enid and Mac Wedding
It was the custom to be married at the church and hold the reception at the home of the bride’s parents.
This photo shows Enid and Mac on their wedding day at the farm in Groveton.
This photo shows Enid and Mac on their wedding day at the farm in Groveton.
Enid's Family
Enid married Mac Simpson and they live in Brockville. Mac is now deceased. They had one daughter, Joan, who lives in Kingston. She has two two children, Alison and.
My Three Sisters
I have three sisters, Dorothy, Madeline and Enid, who grew up on the farm but moved on to careers and family. The second world war opened up a wide range of opportunities for women. Before those years, young women were pretty well restricted to teaching, nursing or homemaking.
When Dorothy chose to become a nurse, she trained at Brockville General for three years to become an RN. She then followed her career in Verdun Protestant Hospital in Verdun, Quebec, until she married Mac and produced Carol and David.
Madeline and Enid both left home to go to work in the Phillips plant in Brockville during the war, taking that opportunity to spread their wings in the wider world.
Madeline married Jim Knox, who was an infantry officer in the Royal Canadian Regiment. Jim was a career soldier and retired as a Colonel, and then contracted to run cadet camps during the summer at Ipperwash. Jim and Madeline had four children, all boys –Doug, Barry, Rickie and Michael. Unfortunately, both Jim and Doug have passed away and are buried in the St. Andrews Presbyterian Church graveyard in Spencerville.
Enid married Malcolm Simpson of Brockville. He too was a service man during the war, serving in the air force. Mac worked in the Phillips plant after the war until his retirement. Their daughter, Joan, lives in Kingston.
My three sisters are all older than I, which, I am sure, gave them lots of chances to practice mothering skills. This latecomer to the family must have seemed like a rare opportunity for them. A baby, a play toy, a pest!
Keep reading. I’m sure they will tell all.
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Unfortunately, this is the end.
