Obituary of Margaret J James-Royal

Margaret Janet James (nee Gunness) Sadly missed by her family, Margaret passed away peacefully on Friday, June 8, 2007 in her 92nd year at Trillium Villa Nursing Home in Sarnia, Ontario. She was predeceased by her husband, Howard Clinton James, and sons, Edward Hurd James and Howard Thomas James, grandson Robert James and granddaughter Marnie Blancher as well as by her second husband, Frank George Royal. She is also predeceased by five brothers who served in World War II: David Henry Gunness, William Hurd Gunness, Andrew Lorraine Gunness, John Vernon Gunness and Robert Vincent Gunness, as well as by her sister, Burzina Susan Snelgrove. Margaret is survived by her children, Doreen Mary Vallieres de St. Real of Manotick, Ottawa, Delmar Alois James (Dian) of Strathroy, Phillip Clinton James (Susan) of Middletown, Ohio, Margaret Lynda Blancher (John) of Sarnia, and Dr. Michael Vernon James (Margaret) of Kamloops, B.C. as well as step-children, Derrick Royal of Mississauga and Linda Royal Giberson of B.C. She is also survived by her sister, Stella May Fisher of Lucan, as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren, plus two great great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Margaret was born in 1915 in Starbuck, Manitoba to Burzina (Hay) and William Gunness and was the oldest daughter among 10 children. They moved to Strathroy in 1930. Margaret lived for 35 years at the southwest end of McKellar Street, Strathroy, where her property has since been developed into a housing estate. As an RNA graduate of Byron, she worked at Strathroy Hospital for many years. She was a member of the Legion Ladies Auxiliary since 1940 and was also a Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star. Visitation will be held in the Denning Bros. Funeral Home 32 Metcalfe St. W., Strathroy on Tuesday June 12th from 7:00-9:00 P.M. A celebration of Margaret's life will be held at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 43 Head St., Strathroy, on Wednesday June 13th 2007 at 1:00pm with Rev. Fr. Willi K.F. Kammerer officiating. Legion Memorial Service at 6:30pm Tuesday, under direction of Sir Arthur Currie Br#116 Strathroy and a service under the direction of the Order of Eastern Star Veritas Chapter Strathroy at 6:00pm Tuesday. The family wishes to thank Brookside Retirement Residence in Watford and Trillium Villa Nursing Home in Sarnia for the care and consideration given to Margaret.