Paul F Kent Funeral Home Ltd Cookstown, Ontario

08/24/2026

William “Bill” Turkington
November 12, 1940 ~ August 20, 2026

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of William (Bill) Turkington on August 20, 2026 in his 85th year.

Bill was a beloved husband of more than 60-years to Gloria. An exceptional Dad to Bev (Steve) & Nick. A doting Granda to Joe (Madie) & Kassandra (Dylan).

Bill enjoyed flying his hand-built Spitfire model planes with the Beeton R/C Flyers Club. He loved the acceptance of friends & worship from Bond Head United Church. He was always laughing & singing his favorite Irish or Monty Python songs. He was a history buff & was exceptionally knowledgeable about both World Wars. He always cheered for the Toronto Maple Leafs & was an avid sports fan.

A special ‘thank you’ to the staff at Roberta Place LTC in Barrie for the care & compassion you showed Bill & the entire family.

A memorial service will be held at Bond Head United Church on September 12th, at 2 pm followed by a luncheon.

Donations to Parkinson’s or Bond Head United Church in memory of Bill would be appreciated by the family.

08/15/2026

Families enjoy receptions in our comfortable homelike atmosphere or our outdoor garden. Wonderful catering provided by Rooted Foodery, Cookstown

08/13/2026

Reminder that there is a Visitation to celebrate Jean Wallace’s life today from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Paul F. Kent Funeral Home, 16 King Street North, (Hwy 27) Cookstown.

08/09/2026

Three award winning books for children dealing with change, difficult times & loss of a family member or pet.

08/07/2026

We recently heard that reading is on the decline. I hope that’s not the case as there can be nothing as comforting as sitting reading a good book and I believe that is the case when it comes to books written to help people on their grief journey. Reading these books and hearing about others experiences and their journey really helps us realize we are not alone. I had posted some books some months ago but recently found some new books and wanted to share them with you. Very different journeys, different experiences. I also have some excellent award winning children’s books which I will be posting regularly for the next couple of weeks.

Discover three powerful books to support you through grief, offering comfort, validation, and guidance for your healing journey.

08/01/2026

Helen "Jean" Wallace
October 5, 1924 ~ July 21, 2026

It is with saddened hearts we announce the passing of Jean Wallace (Moir, Coutts) at Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 in her 102nd year.

Jean was mother to Gaye (deceased) (Richard), Renée (Don) and David (Christine) and grandmother to her two cherished grandchildren Cameron (Samantha) and Candace (Ryan) and beloved aunt and great aunt to many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by husbands Harry Wallace and father of Gaye, Renée and David, John James (Jack) Coutts. Jean was sister to George (Alzetta),both deceased; Bill (Doreen), both deceased; Marguerite (Elmer deceased) and Jessie, deceased (Lance).

Most of Jean’s adult life was spent in the employ of the Civilian Personnel Department, DND, Base Borden. She raised her children in the same community she was born into, Cookstown at 5 Side Road and highway 89. She was a talented, self taught seamstress, she ran the Churchill Euchre club for many years, belonged to the Alliston 54 Club and, of course, loved and was a long time member of the Old Time Dance and Fiddle Clubs of Thornton and Bond Head. Jean led a very full and independent life and was fortunate to remain and upkeep her own home and drive until she was 100 years old.

A Visitation to celebrate Jean’s life will be held on Thursday, August 13th, 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Paul F. Kent Funeral Home, 16 King Street North, (Hwy 27) Cookstown.

07/24/2026

William Kemp
May 9, 1933 ~ July 14, 2026

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of William (Bill) Kemp, beloved husband of Barbara (nee Knox) Kemp and father of Carolen (nee Kemp) Allen (Ted) and Steven Kemp (Kathleen). He passed away peacefully on July 14, 2026 at the age of 93.

Bill immigrated to Canada from the Orkney Islands in Scotland with his wife Pat in 1957. They settled in the Toronto area and then in Concord, Ontario. Bill worked for the TTC for many years before he & Pat started Concord Prefabricating Limited, which led to the start and success of Northern Transformer Inc. in 1981. After years of Bill’s hard work, the company sold and Bill retired in 2003. He will be lovingly remembered by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

He was predeceased by his first wife Patricia Ann (nee Livingston) Kemp who passed in 1979.

In 1983 Bill married Barbara. They spent 43 years together working in the business, travelling and spending many happy times at the cottage in Arden.

He is survived by his beloved grandchildren, Karly (nee Kemp) Zomers (Alex), Michaela Kemp, Devin (nee Allen) Loza (Yarko), step granddaughter Jessica Allen (Marshall); great-grandchildren, Ann-Marie Christie Zomers, Lindy May Zomers, Olenna May Loza; stepchildren, Susan Wainwright (Gordon- Deceased), Eric Wainwright (Susan), Linda Wainwright, Morgan Wainwright; step grandchildren Kyle Wainwright (Melissa), Melanie Wainwright, Shane Wainwright ( Alexandra), Julia Wainwright-Marcos (Christos), David Hacher, Stephen Hatcher; step great grandchildren Taylor and Gabriel Wainwright.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the home of Steven & Kathleen Kemp, 1561 Concession Rd 5, Loretto, Ontario L0G 1L0 on October 8, 2026 at 1:00 – 4:00pm. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance and support.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Doctors without Boarders in his memory.

07/01/2026

🍁 Happy Canada Day! 🇨🇦

Today, we celebrate the beauty of our country, the strength of our communities, and the people who make Canada such a wonderful place to call home.

From our family to yours, we wish you and your loved ones a safe, happy, and meaningful Canada Day. 🤍❤️

06/15/2026

Anna-Maija Heilimo
December 9, 1963 ~ June 12, 2026

Beloved wife and mother, Anna-Maija Heilimo (née Tauriainen) passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Canada.

Anna-Maija was born on December 9, 1963 in Oulu, Finland to Jalo and Salme (Laurila) Tauriainen. Her early years took her from Finland to Australia (Sydney and Canberra) before returning to Revonlahti, Finland in 1971. The family immigrated to Canada in 1972, where she made her home and raised her family.

After attending Jämsä Kr. Kansanopisto in Finland as a young woman, Anna-Maija returned to Canada to be with her childhood sweetheart, Gary, whom she married in 1981. Together, they raised their fourteen children and shared 45 years of marriage. She devoted herself to her family and created a loving and warm home for her children and grandchildren.

Her faith formed the foundation of her life. It guided her in raising her children, comforted her in times of joy and hardship, and shaped the love and care she showed to others.

Anna-Maija will be remembered for her generosity, curiosity, and joyful laugh. Her home was a place of warmth and welcome, filled with family gatherings, music, and lively conversations. She was fiercely loyal to those she loved and steadfast in her beliefs, never afraid to speak her mind with honesty and candour. She loved to learn, travel, and discover beauty in simple things, whether collecting shells on the beach or photographing the flowers in her garden. She cared deeply for others and was often the first to offer help, encouragement, and kindness. Above all, she treasured her family and adored her grandchildren, finding her greatest joy in the time she spent with them. She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.

Anna-Maija is survived by her loving husband, Gary Heilimo; and children, Marika Heilimo; Seppo (Anne) Heilimo; Pekka (Julia) Heilimo; Riitta (Andrew) Hotari; Mika (Inka) Heilimo; Alex (Makaylin) Heilimo; Victoria (Miika) Hotari; Kristoffer (April) Heilimo; Brianna (Jonathan) Hotari; Vanessa (Leevi) Hotari; Lars Heilimo; Lillian Heilimo; Laurence Heilimo; and Jaana Heilimo.

Her 65 grandchildren.

Her parents, Jalo and Salme Tauriainen: and siblings, Kaarlo (Helen) Tauriainen; Risto (Terhi) Tauriainen; Tarja (Dave) Nevala; Peter (Laurie) Tauriainen; Kaija (David) Beishline; Susan (Dan) Haapala; Heidi (Deron) Simonson; Sari (Brandon) Niskanen; Juha (Anne) Tauriainen; and Marko (Nida) Tauriainen.

Many nieces and nephews, brothers- and sisters-in-law, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Anna-Maija was preceded in death by her grandchildren David Julian Hotari and Olivia Mae Hotari; nephew Alex Niskanen; mother-in-law Toini Heilimo; father-in-law William Heilimo; brother-in-law Lauri Sipilä; and sister-in-law Jean Tauriainen.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre for their excellent care and kindness to our mother and family during her brief stay.

Visitation will be held at the Laestadian Lutheran Church in Cookstown (5579 Highway 27) on Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 11a.m. to 1p.m. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Interment will be held at the Cookstown United Church Cemetery. Dinner and memorial service will follow at the church.

05/15/2026

There will be Celebration of Life for Joannah (Zander) Matheson at the Paul F. Kent Funeral Home, 16 King Street, North, Cookstown on Saturday May 16th from 1-4 p.m. All are welcome.