“A Mother’s Love is the Heart of a Family”
Delores Van Osch (née Heffernan) passed away suddenly on September 26, 2024 at the age of 81.
Beloved wife of 30 years to Antone. Together, they lovingly raised their children on the family dairy farm in Ashfield Township until Antone’s passing in 1995.
Cherished mother of Brent and Helen, Linda and Bill Tigert, Sandra and Craig Irwin. Adored grandmother of Jack, Anthony, Liam, Nathan, Olivia and Jake, Maiya, Graeme, and Taryn.
Dear sister of Ray and Sue, Jerry, Anne, and sister-in-law Gail. Predeceased by brother Albert. Delores was loved as a sister and aunt by the Heffernan and Van Osch families.
Delores was dedicated to family and community. She was always ready to volunteer and never shy to be the organizer. She was a lifelong member of the CWL.
Delores will forever be remembered as our social butterfly. At any event, she never sat down, always engaging, and often among the last to leave.
The family will receive relatives and friends at McCallum & Palla Funeral Home, Goderich, from 3 to 7 pm on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Funeral mass will take place at St. Peter’s R.C. Church, Goderich, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 11 am. Burial to follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Kingsbridge. A reception will be held at the Kingsbridge Centre.
Donations to the St. Joseph’s Kingsbridge Community or the Alzheimer Society are appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Shirley Darbyson
My sincere sympathy to all of Delores’s family. I first met her when I was doing Home Support for her Mother Yvonne. I knew right away what a caring and loving person she was. Always smiling and happy. I also worked with Jerry years ago and would like to send him a special hello and my sympathy.
May all the cherished memories you have of your dear Mom, sister and grandma help bring you comfort.
Kelly Southcott
Sandra and family
I’m so very sorry to hear about your mom. She was a lovely lady. Sending you prayers and strength
Bonnie Flett
My sincere condolences to Delores’s family!
Joan Sinnaeve
Hi Sandra and family,
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family are expressed here.
Your mother was an awesome lady and her memories will live on with you forever.
Sincerely, Joan Sinnaeve
Louise Martin
So very sorry to hear about Delores. What an incredible person she was. She will be deeply missed. I would like to express my sincere condolences to all the family.
Jim and Pat Martin
Our heartfelt condolences to Sandra, Linda, Brent and their families for your loss. Delores endeared herself to many and made a lasting impact through her kindness and active involvement in the community. We chatted weekly, especially when the community was more open and accessible, and we wrote the weekly news for the Lucknow and Goderich newspapers. We will miss Delores and always keep her memory in our hearts. Her smile was her signature.
George and Lorraine Brophy
Our sincere condolences to the Van Osch and Heffernan family. Delores will be remembered as a kind and considerate person who always said hello with a smile. She will be missed.
Janette Schmid
I only knew Dolores for a few years, through CWL & the Coffee Club Ladies.
What a wonderful lady.
My condolences to all Delores families.
REST IN PEACE
Joan Tigert
Dear Linda, Sandra, and Brent
My heart goes out to you and your families. It was a shock to hear of your Mom’s passing when we had just spent a lovely day with her in July. Your Mom was a beautiful person and so devoted to her family. I hope that the many wonderful memories sustain you through the difficult times. May it bring some comfort to know your Dad was there, open arms, to welcome Delores home.
Margaret (Austin) Roosemalen
MY heartfelt condolences on the passing of Delores..There isn’t a time in my life (out in Kingsbridge and in the St Peter’s Goderich church community) that Delores wasn’t always there..I would work with her at funeral lunches, and many other gatherings at our parish gatherings and of course the CWL activities Delores was always there volunteering and always happy and smiling and asking me how everyone in my family was.. The most blessed occasion I will always remember was when Delores and I and one of the O’Neil relatives sat the whole when my dear Great Aunt Catherine Austin was passing at the Maitland Manor . We prayed with Catherine and we sang hymns, chatted at supper together in Catherine’s room, Delores made what was a sad day, a day of being in prayer and song and we were just able to be present with Catherine to the final moments of Catherine’s long life…I will never ever forget this day as long as I live. Delores loved Catherine as much as I did and I know this love and friendship from Delores to Catherine as she passed showed me she was the most. kind and loving woman who lived her faith with how she treated everyone she met . Please know I am sending my prayers and may God Bless your whole family as you go through this time of sorrow.
Len and Wilma Clarke
So sorry to hear the sad news that Delores passed away. We bowled with her and Antone in Lucknow and her in Goderich. We also played many cards together. She was such a sweet lady and got me many friends in Goderich. We really missed her when she moved away. Hugs to all of you. She was a great friend.
Cecelia Denomme
Dear Delores’s family – you are in my special thoughts – with sadness and sympathy.
Delores was a special girl to know and remember. Her caring and volunteering in the community – was appreciated and an example for all –
Sincerely – Cecelia Denomme
Jack & Beth Heffernan
We can’t say anything about Delores, that isn’t widely known amongst the family & greater community, but, it bears repeating. She was a real sweetie! She always welcomed any new family members (like Beth) very warmly! She was interested in everyone & everything & always on the go. She was always present at all the Heffernan Reunions & all family events. She was very bright, lively, friendly & always engaged in many activities. She always greeted everyone with a big smile & very cheerful demeanour. She was very generous with her time, attention & energy. It was delightful just to be in her presence. Our condolences to everyone who feels this loss. She will truly be missed & very fondly remembered! Jack & Beth Heffernan
Pat Livingston
My most sincere condolences to Delores’ family and all others who loved her.
Pat Livingston, Lucknow
Rosemary Beange
To Delores family,
Thinking of you at this sad time. Always had a nice chat when we met.
May she rest in peace.
Anita Frayne
Delores was a gem. Always so interested in everyone and engaged in life. And Karla is right. Delores and Antone did a smooth foxtrot and it was great watching them at wedding receptions at the Lucknow Community Centre “back in the day”. I used to babysit you, Brent, Linda and Sandra, when your parents went to those dances with your Uncle Pete & Aunt Betty and your Uncle Joe & Aunt Thelma. I appreciated the snacks your Mom left out!
Delores will be missed and remembered. My condolences to all of your family.
Anita Frayne
Robert and Mary Lou DeBrabandere
Our deepest and heartfelt sympathies go out to all at this very sad and difficult time. Cherish the wonderful memories forever in your hearts.
Diane (Lehman) Hawley
Dear Linda, Brent, Sandra and Family and to the Heffernan and Van Osch families
So sorry to hear of Delores’ sudden passing. She was a bright light in any room she was in with her infectious smile and tireless energy. She will be sadly missed.
Condolences to the family and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mary Lou Aubin
We are so shocked and saddened to hear of Delores’ sudden death. We missed her so much when she left Goderich. She was such a compassionate person, always thinking of or doing something for anyone in need. A true friend and an all-round good person. I will really miss not being able to talk to her in January when we always went out or talked on the phone for our birthdays. Rest in Peace Deleores. You were loved by many.
Karla Hogan
Dear Brent, Linda , Sandra, your families, and the Heffernan and Van Osch families,
I was very sad to hear Delores had passed away so suddenly. She loved all of you and enjoyed talking about you and her grandchildren with pride. Your dear mom and dad made a good looking couple on the dance floor. Delores was special, kind, thoughtful, organized, hard working and very generous with her time in the CWL.
Your family has gained another guardian angel who with your dad is watching over you with love and pride. Rest In Peace, Delores, you’ve earned it.
Evelyn Shand
To Linda, Brent, Sandra and Families
I was so sad to hear of the sudden death of your Mom. Delores was a gentle, kind and warm hearted lady and a lovely friend. We enjoyed many outings together which would usually end with a trip to the beach, coffee in hand where we sat and watched the world go by. Such special memories.
Sincerely,
Evie Shand
Toni Schaefer
What a warm, vibrant lady Delores was. I have fond memories of our interactions. I know she will be missed. May her memory be a blessing
Eveleen McDonagh
So sad to hear of your mother passing ,she was a lovely lady .may she rest in peace
Judy Tigert
Dear Linda, Brent, Sandra and all of your families.
I am so saddened to hear of your Mom’s sudden death.
Delores was a kind, hardworking and beautiful woman. I remember her in church as a young woman before her marriage to your father and I remember asking my Dad who that beautiful young woman was— perhaps a movie star?
Not only did she work hard as the wife of a dairy farmer and mother of 3, she was a devoted CWL member and through her charitable work raised money for the community. Well done, Delores, good and faithful servant of God. Until we meet again.
Debbie Whitmore
My condolences to all of Delores’ family on her passing. Delores was a wonderful lady who I knew through
St. Peter’s Church. God bless her and prayers to rest in God’s love.