In Loving Memory of Members of Our Church Family
For archived Obituaries click here.

Barbara Ann Armstrong (Barb)
December 5, 1935 - August 24, 2021
Barbara Armstrong (nee MacLeod) passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and with her very loyal cat Ghillie by her side. Dearly loved wife and best friend of the late Bob Armstrong (2009).
Family was everything to Barb. She will be missed terribly by her children Alan (Michelle Courchesne) of Gatineau, Ian (Silvia Arno-Armstrong) of Thunder Bay, Alison Doherty (Tim) of London and Peter of Ottawa, and by her brothers Jim MacLeod (Heather) and John MacLeod (Marion). A very special Grandma who loved and was so proud of the fine young people her grandchildren have grown up to be; she will be missed by Isabelle (Félix Rousseau) and Jérémy Armstrong, Emily (Joseph Jocks) and Hannah Armstrong, Erin and Calum Doherty. Survived by treasured sisters-in-law Carolyn Walton (Ross) and Marydel Fraser (Ian). A much-loved aunt and cousin to the Armstrong and MacLeod/Clark families.
Barb grew up in Toronto, then on the family farm in Dunvegan, Ontario. Following Bob's forestry career moves, they lived in Ottawa, "Swisha", Nepean, Sudbury and then retired to Pakenham. After Bob's passing, Barb moved to Almonte, then to Orchard View by the Mississippi. She made an immediate and positive impact on the community every time!
Barb was a dedicated teacher in Rolphton and Sudbury and very enthusiastic and long-time music teacher and choir director in the Carleton Board of Education (Briargreen and Greenbank). She retired on the same day as Bob in December 1995.
Barb was a devoted and active member of the congregation and choir at Kingsway United Church (Ottawa) and Deep River Presbyterian Church (Deep River), as well as choir and music director at Bells Corners United Church (Nepean), St. Andrews United Church (Sudbury) and St. Andrews United Church (Pakenham).
Barb was an enthusiastic member and principal in the Ottawa Savoy Society and member of the Arnprior Community Choir, and was very happy to join the Women's Institute when moving to Pakenham. Barb was also an avid supporter of Bob in his many musical and outdoor activities, and encouraged and followed closely her children and grandchildren in their many activities and adventures. Born (and always) a MacLeod, Barb was a dedicated member and Past President of the Clan MacLeod Society of Canada. She was a superb organizer of church and community activities and events, and was well-known and loved for being a wonderful cook and baker - for 2 or 200!
The family would like to thank the staff at Orchard View for their gentle care of Barb over the past month. The family very much regrets to say that due to COVID-19 protocols, Barb's "Celebration of Life" will be invitation-only; however it will be streamed live on Saturday September 18 at 2:00 pm - starting a "wee bit late" as per Barb's request: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0uJq3qYEp_VWGQojq0m81w). Please join the family for one of the open visitations at C.R. Gamble Funeral Home & Chapel, 127 Church St., Almonte on Friday September 17 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm.
For those who so desire, donations in memory of Barb may be made to St. Andrews United Church (Pakenham) or World Vision. Condolences & Tributes: www.crgamble.com
December 5, 1935 - August 24, 2021
Barbara Armstrong (nee MacLeod) passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and with her very loyal cat Ghillie by her side. Dearly loved wife and best friend of the late Bob Armstrong (2009).
Family was everything to Barb. She will be missed terribly by her children Alan (Michelle Courchesne) of Gatineau, Ian (Silvia Arno-Armstrong) of Thunder Bay, Alison Doherty (Tim) of London and Peter of Ottawa, and by her brothers Jim MacLeod (Heather) and John MacLeod (Marion). A very special Grandma who loved and was so proud of the fine young people her grandchildren have grown up to be; she will be missed by Isabelle (Félix Rousseau) and Jérémy Armstrong, Emily (Joseph Jocks) and Hannah Armstrong, Erin and Calum Doherty. Survived by treasured sisters-in-law Carolyn Walton (Ross) and Marydel Fraser (Ian). A much-loved aunt and cousin to the Armstrong and MacLeod/Clark families.
Barb grew up in Toronto, then on the family farm in Dunvegan, Ontario. Following Bob's forestry career moves, they lived in Ottawa, "Swisha", Nepean, Sudbury and then retired to Pakenham. After Bob's passing, Barb moved to Almonte, then to Orchard View by the Mississippi. She made an immediate and positive impact on the community every time!
Barb was a dedicated teacher in Rolphton and Sudbury and very enthusiastic and long-time music teacher and choir director in the Carleton Board of Education (Briargreen and Greenbank). She retired on the same day as Bob in December 1995.
Barb was a devoted and active member of the congregation and choir at Kingsway United Church (Ottawa) and Deep River Presbyterian Church (Deep River), as well as choir and music director at Bells Corners United Church (Nepean), St. Andrews United Church (Sudbury) and St. Andrews United Church (Pakenham).
Barb was an enthusiastic member and principal in the Ottawa Savoy Society and member of the Arnprior Community Choir, and was very happy to join the Women's Institute when moving to Pakenham. Barb was also an avid supporter of Bob in his many musical and outdoor activities, and encouraged and followed closely her children and grandchildren in their many activities and adventures. Born (and always) a MacLeod, Barb was a dedicated member and Past President of the Clan MacLeod Society of Canada. She was a superb organizer of church and community activities and events, and was well-known and loved for being a wonderful cook and baker - for 2 or 200!
The family would like to thank the staff at Orchard View for their gentle care of Barb over the past month. The family very much regrets to say that due to COVID-19 protocols, Barb's "Celebration of Life" will be invitation-only; however it will be streamed live on Saturday September 18 at 2:00 pm - starting a "wee bit late" as per Barb's request: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0uJq3qYEp_VWGQojq0m81w). Please join the family for one of the open visitations at C.R. Gamble Funeral Home & Chapel, 127 Church St., Almonte on Friday September 17 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm.
For those who so desire, donations in memory of Barb may be made to St. Andrews United Church (Pakenham) or World Vision. Condolences & Tributes: www.crgamble.com

Marion (Caldwell) Polk
Longtime resident of Pakenham, ON
Nurse, sportswoman and lifelong learner
It is with great sadness that the family of Marion Polk announces her passing on August 12, 2021 at the age of 75.
Marion was the daughter of the late Donald and Margaret (nee Lillie) Caldwell, wife of 50 years to Arnold, and mother to Cheryl (Chris), Shannon, and Kate (Ryan). She will be missed by her Caldwell and Lillie cousins, the extended Polk family, and numerous dear friends.
Marion grew up on the family farm in Pakenham and graduated from the Ottawa Civic Hospital School of Nursing in 1967. She then worked in Calgary, Kingston and the Toronto area before returning to take over the farm with Arnold in 1979 where she supported the farm's sheep and bee operations and spent the remainder of her nursing career at the Almonte General Hospital.
Marion was a kind, intelligent and resilient woman. She led an active life, hiking, skating, curling, cross-country skiing and gardening. She was also a lifelong learner who loved reading and exploring her faith as a member of St. Andrew's United Church.
We will remember her with love every time we bake shortbread at Christmas, marvel at the beauty of nature, acquire a new batch of books, or see a vintage Mustang.
Marion's arrangements have been entrusted to the Boyce Funeral Home Ltd., 138 Daniel Street North, Arnprior. Respecting Marion's wishes, a private interment will be held at the Pakenham Union Cemetery. There will be a celebration of life held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Almonte General Hospital-Fairview Manor Foundation, the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation or the charity of your choice. Condolences/Tributes/Donations at www.boycefuneralhome.ca
Longtime resident of Pakenham, ON
Nurse, sportswoman and lifelong learner
It is with great sadness that the family of Marion Polk announces her passing on August 12, 2021 at the age of 75.
Marion was the daughter of the late Donald and Margaret (nee Lillie) Caldwell, wife of 50 years to Arnold, and mother to Cheryl (Chris), Shannon, and Kate (Ryan). She will be missed by her Caldwell and Lillie cousins, the extended Polk family, and numerous dear friends.
Marion grew up on the family farm in Pakenham and graduated from the Ottawa Civic Hospital School of Nursing in 1967. She then worked in Calgary, Kingston and the Toronto area before returning to take over the farm with Arnold in 1979 where she supported the farm's sheep and bee operations and spent the remainder of her nursing career at the Almonte General Hospital.
Marion was a kind, intelligent and resilient woman. She led an active life, hiking, skating, curling, cross-country skiing and gardening. She was also a lifelong learner who loved reading and exploring her faith as a member of St. Andrew's United Church.
We will remember her with love every time we bake shortbread at Christmas, marvel at the beauty of nature, acquire a new batch of books, or see a vintage Mustang.
Marion's arrangements have been entrusted to the Boyce Funeral Home Ltd., 138 Daniel Street North, Arnprior. Respecting Marion's wishes, a private interment will be held at the Pakenham Union Cemetery. There will be a celebration of life held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Almonte General Hospital-Fairview Manor Foundation, the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation or the charity of your choice. Condolences/Tributes/Donations at www.boycefuneralhome.ca