Obituary of Lois Mabel Hunter

The Family of Lois Hunter (nee Poole) is saddened to announce that, on the morning of April 27, 2024, in her One Hundredth year, Lois Mabel Hunter passed away peacefully with family by her side. 

Born outside of Perth, Ontario, to her parents, the late Harold and Mabel Poole, she shared her younger years with them, and her brother, the late Allan Poole, on the family farm.  In Mom’s early years, family visits were frequent, and Mom told many stories about her escapades with her cousin, the late Eileen (McVeety) Publow, the late Joan (Poole) Tindell and many other cherished relatives.

Mom was married to the late Donald Hunter in 1944. She worked tirelessly by Dad’s side on the farm, known as Maple-Ain Farm, just south of Smiths Falls, Ontario.  With her rural roots, Mom became a fiber of the Ontario Agricultural Fair community, serving in various capacities.  Lombardy Agricultural Society (L.A.S.) was her home fair where she was an active member for 72 years, from 1944 to 2016.  Many of you will have met Mom during her tenure of judging home crafts, baking and Women’s Institute displays at fairs in Ontario.  In 1977, she was elected to the executive of District 2 Fair, which took in 12 fairs in Lanark, Renfrew, and Leeds County.  In 1979, she was nominated to the Provincial board of the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (O.A.A.S.).  In 1981, she was appointed the Home Craft President for O.A.A.S. for Ontario. In 1998, the Honorable Bob Runciman elected Mom to the ‘Rideau Valley Health Unit’.  As a result of her years of volunteer work, Mom received numerous awards.  Among them was the ‘Ontario Volunteer Award’ given to her in 2009 in commemoration of her tireless work with L.A.S. over the course of 65 years.  In 1993, Mom was awarded the 125^th Commemorative Medal by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Hal Jackman.  In 2003, Mom was awarded the ‘Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal’ by the Honorable Bob Runciman.  But, perhaps her most cherished award was the “Governor General’s Volunteer Award’ that she received in 2020 from the Governor General of Canada, David Johnston.

In the fall of 2009, Mom moved to Van Horne Retirement residence in Smiths Falls, where she was an active participant in the various activities and outings. 

Mom loved music and joined the Rosedale Singers in 2004 where she enjoyed the comradeship of many new friends.

Family remained important to Mom.  Gerald (Joanne) Hunter and Shirley (Rob) Graves always sensed her love and pride.  Her grandchildren, Shannon (Robert) Miller, Hugh (Arlene) Hunter, Laurie Hunter, Katie Hunter, Hunter (Julie) Graves and Marshall (Leah) Graves, were very close to their Grandma and she loved their frequent visits and phone calls.  Mom was very proud of her 13 great-grandchildren, Lauren, Kendall, Tyler and Seth Miller, Maryn, Duncan, Connal and Foster Hunter, Harper, Claire, and Kate Graves, and Hudson and Isla Graves.

Family and friends may pay their respects at the Blair & Son Funeral Home, 112 Beckwith St. N. Smiths Falls on Sunday, May 5, 2024 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and again on Monday, May 6^th, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  A funeral service to celebrate Lois’ wonderful life and legacy will be held on Tuesday May 7^th, at Trinity United Church 41 Market St. N., Smiths Falls at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will take place at Maple Vale Cemetery followed by a reception at the Lombardy Agricultural Hall.  In memory of Lois, donations to the Lombardy Agricultural Society, Trinity United Church or Maple Vale Cemetery would be appreciated.