Memory Garden
The History
In the fall of 2005, the Board of Directors approved the concept of the Memory Garden, led by Anthea White who was a Director at that time.
Anthea and staff member Natalie Bennett worked together for the next year, bringing the concept to reality by finalizing the location near the base of Landslide.
This area was chosen due to its location close to the bottom of the hill, making it more accessible by foot, for the beautiful forest, and the stream running through, offering a soothing natural sound.
Designing the Garden
The look of the Memory Garden was inspired by a concept that had been initiated at Blue Mountain Resorts a few years earlier, tweaking it to reflect the sense of the Craigleith community.
The Club was fortunate to have Michaeal Pocock, a well know local iron works artist, join us in the project at that time. Michael designed the trees and the individual leaves, and Michael continues to be the artist who we work with for ordering, creating and installing the individual leaves and building additional trees as needed.
The initial project began with three trees and 29 individual leaves – and it now includes 11 trees and 187 individual leaves.
The Garden has grown to be a special place at the Club where family members and friends can visit, to remember a loved one and hopefully think of the wonderful times shared here at Craigleith.
Order a Leaf
The cost of a leaf is $250 + HST.
To order a leaf, please contact Natalie Bennett at nataliebennett@craigleith.com.
In Memoriam
1939 – 2025
It is with heavy hearts and cherished memories that we announce the passing of Joan at the age of 86.
A devoted mother, grandmother, and friend, she lived her life with warmth, humour, and a strength that inspired everyone around her.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Paul Megaffin, and her dearly missed daughter, Leslie Mannix. She leaves behind her loving children, Jeff Taylor (Kara McIntosh) and Jennifer Moore (Craig), and her seven grandchildren: Elias, Graydon, and Esmée Taylor; Payton and Lauren Mannix; and Emma and Logan Moore.
Family was the heart of her world. She was endlessly proud of her children and grandchildren, and her greatest joy came from spending time with them. Her love was unconditional, pride in their accomplishments limitless, and her presence a constant source of comfort and laughter.
She had a vibrant social life and a love of connection; Joan loved to talk with everyone. Her deep voice carried across friendly chats with bank tellers and grocery clerks to spirited conversations with longtime friends. Her sense of humour was sparkling and she had a wonderful ability to make people laugh. Known and loved throughout her community, she had a gift for brightening your day.
An avid reader and passionate bridge player, she found great joy in her book club and time spent at the card table. She also treasured the years she spent skiing at Craigleith Ski Club, where she formed lifelong friendships and countless happy memories.
Joan will always be remembered for her lively humor, fantastic sense of fun, and the way she could light up any room with laughter. She had a gift for making people smile, often finding joy in the everyday and sharing it with those around her.
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – A.A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh)
Donations may be made to CGMH Foundation, in honour of a life lived with courage, compassion, and laughter.
In Loving Memory of Lorena “Lore” Jean Kennedy Brown
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Lore on Sunday February 23, 2025.
She is mourned by her loving husband, Jack, with whom she shared a 55-year relationship; her daughter Erin (Douglas Grace, and grandchildren Benjamin and Ava); and her son Patrick (Julie Holder, and grandchildren Donovan and Raf). Lore was our matriarch and guiding light—always deeply engaged in our lives, encouraging us to dream, to achieve, and to succeed.
Lore is survived and deeply missed by her sister Louise Kennedy and brother Bill Kennedy. She was predeceased by her parents, Dr. Jack (JC) and Jean (Lawson) Kennedy, and brothers Alexander (Sandy) Kennedy and John Kennedy.
She is also mourned by a legion of friends too numerous to name yet too important not to recognize, along with her extended family of loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. You know who you are. Thank you for your calls, letters, cards, and visits in her final days. Lore loved you too.
A proud Londoner, Lore returned to her hometown with her husband and family after short stints in Toronto, Los Angeles, and Kuala Lumpur. Yet, she was always a passionate traveler, continuously making lists of places yet to be explored. After graduating from Western University and a brief career as a primary specialist teacher, Lore devoted herself to family, friendship, volunteerism, and leadership—raising funds for the London Regional Art & Historical Museum, Victoria Hospital (LHSC), and St. John the Evangelist Church.
An avid golfer and skier, Lore was a lifelong member of the London Hunt and Country Club and a dedicated member of Craigleith Ski Club. (The marriage wouldn’t have lasted if Jack hadn’t learned to ski!). Lore was also the founder of Gemini – an Investment Group in London. And, Lore had a life time of love for the shores of Lake Huron in Grand Bend.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Lore’s caregivers in her final days, especially Dr. Patrick Teefy and the Green Team (Cardiology – UH), Dr. Arvand Barghi, along with his residents and nurses (Hematology/Oncology – Victoria Hospital) and Dr. Gil Schreier, Dr. Garg, Laura and the nursing team in Palliative Care.
We love you, Lore. You will be missed but never forgotten.