Margaret Jean Babcock

Born to Martha and John Archibald, Jean grew up in the village of Kettleby, Ontario. While attending Aurora High School she met her future husband, William James (Bill) Babcock. Jean had a brief teaching career in Burlington before she married Bill at Kettleby United Church. Jean spent many years with Bill operating Richildaca Day Camp where they enriched the lives of all who attended. While raising five children Jean found time to be involved in her church and the camping community. Jean was one of the authors of the first set of Day Camp Standards published by the Ontario Government. Jean loved to cook, bake, take photographs, travel, knit, crochet, play bridge, make preserves, and host family dinners including Christmas celebrations at the camp. She was an active volunteer with the hospital in Richmond Hill, the Girl Guides, and the United Church Women.

Jean and Bill lived in Richmond Hill for many years before building a home at Richildaca. When they sold the camp, they moved to Aurora. Jean spent the last eleven years at Hollandview Trail Retirement Community where she met new friends and was well cared for by the staff. Jean passed peacefully at the Margaret Bahen Hospice in Newmarket, Ontario, surrounded by family.

Jean is predeceased by her husband Bill and her loving sister Marion Burkholder (nee Archibald). She will be fondly missed by her son Fred, his wife Phensri, and their children Prath (Lizlyn) and Somsiri; daughter Marion, her husband Norm, and their children Stephanie (Ryan) and Rebecca (Dean); son Scott, his wife Brenda, and their children Kris and Kelli; son Hugh, his wife Sharla and their children Christa, Adam (Beth) and Dana; son Bruce and his daughter Eliza Jane.

Jean was blessed with many great grandchildren: Paxton, Lanna, Peydon, Tyruss, Empria, Maia, Olivia, Tessa, Zaiya, Frances, Andy, Morgan, Layla, Zoey, and William.

The Celebration of Life will be held at Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, Ontario on Thursday, November 2nd from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Words of remembrance will be at 2:00 pm. A private interment service will be held on Friday.

In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Jean can be made to the Margaret Bahen Hospice, 653 Queen Street, Newmarket, Ontario – [email protected] or the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com for the Babcock family.