Whelan Funeral Home Ltd.

07/29/2026

BLOOM, Terrance ‘Terry’
(City of Ottawa- Parks & Recreation)

Peacefully in hospital on Thursday, July 23, 2026 in his 69th year.
Terry is survived by his beloved son Kealey; his siblings Debbie, Ann Marie, Willie (Sarah), and Frances (Louis); his nieces and nephews Shawn, Shannon, Jennifer, Eryn (Andrew), Riley, Morgan (Thierry), Darci (Jesse), and Gavin; his grand-nephews Brady and Gilbert. He was predeceased by his parents, Bill and Paddy Bloom, his sisters Geraldine and Patricia Bloom, and his brother Leo Bloom (Karen).
Terry was a champion for the local blues community, having worked over 30 years at the Rainbow Bistro and volunteered at Ottawa Bluesfest for nearly 30 years.
Terry also loved his work as a Zamboni driver, taking great joy out of putting on “a show for the kids” when they'd wave to him.
Perhaps most ubiquitous was his love of Mickey Mouse. He never left the house without at least one piece of Mickey Mouse clothing on, whether it be a T-shirt, hat or watch. This earned him the nickname of “Mickey” amongst some of his friends.
Friends may pay respects at a visitation on Tuesday, August 4 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 PM at The Whelan Funeral Home, 515 Cooper Street (between Bay & Lyon). Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 10:00AM in St. Patrick’s Basilica (Kent at Nepean). A reception will be held after the funeral at the Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street.

Arrangements entrusted to the Whelan Funeral Home tel. (613) 233-1488

https://www.whelanfuneralhome.ca/services.html

07/29/2026

Impermanence Illustrated by the Creation and then Destruction of a Sand Mandala

Impermanence can be defined as the temporary quality of all living and non-living things. When it comes to a person, it describes the experiences and memories that make up a vanishing life. It is a natural part of existence, but becomes especially poignant when someone who is loved dies. Even though we know there is a season for everything under the sun – a time to laugh and a time to mourn – it can still be difficult to accept the reality of losing someone close.

As a traditional part of Tibetan Buddhism, sand mandalas are the perfect metaphor to depict impermanence. These beautiful and intricate works of geometric art encourage healing, peace and purification. Designed using millions of grains of powered marble, sand, flowers, herbs and stones, a mandala takes days and sometimes weeks to create. Once their beauty is revealed upon completion, they are destroyed to demonstrate the impermanent nature of life.

The destruction of a sand mandala is a powerful ceremonial event and statement about our lives. The religious symbols it contains are removed in a specific order until the mandala has been completely dismantled. The sand is then gathered in a jar which is wrapped in silk and transported to a river. It is then released back into nature to disperse its healing energies.

The circle of life, the impermanence of each and everyone of us. Sometimes we wish a loved one would live forever. Regrettably, this is just not the case.

© Whelan Funeral Home/CFHC Online

07/24/2026

DUMONT, Margaret ‘Doreen’

Unexpectedly, with her loving husband at her side, Doreen Dumont (née Kennedy) passed away on July 21, 2026, at the age of 76 years, after many years courageously battling heart disease.

Doreen was the loving wife and best friend of Jean Dumont for over 52 years. Loving mother of Chantal Blanchet (Alex), Marc, Richard (Stephanie) and Paul. Cherished grandmother to Leia Blanchet and Patrick Dumont. Beloved daughter of the late Patrick J. Kennedy & late Lorna Kennedy (née Lipton). Predeceased by her brothers Bruce (Mississauga) and Michael.

Doreen was a long-standing member of the Catholic Women’s League at Good Shepherd parish, involved at the executive level, including as president and past president in later years. Her faith kept her strong during a victorious battle against cancer as well as a lengthier fight against heart disease. While she was very proud of her four children, she was most fulfilled as a grandmother to Leia and Patrick, wanting to be involved in babysitting every opportunity she had and as a spectator to their sports and activities as often as possible.

Friends are invited to join the family at a Mass of Christian Funeral to be held at Good Shepherd Church, (3092 Innes Road, Ottawa) on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 10AM.

A time of refreshment & fellowship will follow in the parish hall, graciously hosted by the Good Shepherd Catholic Women’s League, of which Doreen and Chantal have both been longtime members.

Interment to follow at Notre Dame Cemetery in the Dumont family plot at a later date.

The family wishes to thank the Ottawa Heart Institute for the great care they showed Doreen during this lengthy battle which gave her many more years to enjoy watching her grandchildren grow.

Arrangements entrusted to The Whelan Funeral Home, tel. 613.233-1488.

C’est de manière inattendue, avec son mari bien-aimé à ses côtés, que Doreen Dumont (née Kennedy) s’est éteinte le 21 juillet 2026, à l’âge de 76 ans, après avoir lutté courageusement pendant de nombreuses années contre une maladie cardiaque.

Doreen a été l’épouse aimante et la meilleure amie de Jean Dumont pendant plus de 52 ans. Mère aimante de Chantal Blanchet (Alex), Marc, Richard (Stéphanie) et Paul. Grand-mère chérie de Leia Blanchet et Patrick Dumont. Fille bien-aimée de feu Patrick J. Kennedy et de feu Lorna Kennedy (née Lipton). Soeur bien-aimée de feu Bruce (Mississauga) et feu Michael.

Doreen était membre de longue date de la Ligue des femmes catholiques de la paroisse Good Shepherd, où elle occupait des fonctions au sein du comité exécutif, notamment celles de présidente et d’ancienne présidente au cours des dernières années. Sa foi lui a donné la force de mener à bien son combat victorieux contre le cancer, ainsi que sa lutte plus longue contre la maladie cardiaque. Bien qu’elle fût très fière de ses quatre enfants, c’est en tant que grand-mère de Leia et Patrick qu’elle trouvait son plus grand épanouissement : elle tenait à s’occuper d’eux dès qu’elle en avait l’occasion et à assister à leurs compétitions et activités sportives aussi souvent que possible.

Les amis sont invités à se joindre à la famille lors d’une messe de funérailles chrétiennes qui se tiendra à l’église Good Shepherd (3092, chemin Innes, Ottawa) le jeudi 30 juillet 2026 à 10 h.

Un moment de rafraîchissements et de convivialité suivra dans la salle paroissiale, gracieusement organisé par la Ligue des femmes catholiques de Good Shepherd, dont Doreen et Chantal étaient toutes deux membres de longue date.

L’inhumation aura lieu ultérieurement au cimetière Notre-Dame, dans le caveau familial des Dumont.

La famille tient à remercier l’Institut de cardiologie d’Ottawa pour les soins exceptionnels prodigués à Doreen tout au long de ce long combat, qui lui a permis de profiter encore de nombreuses années de la croissance de ses petits-enfants.

L’organisation des obsèques a été confiée au salon funéraire Whelan, tél. 613 233-1488.

https://www.whelanfuneralhome.ca/services.html

07/24/2026

All Together Now

When facing difficult times in life it’s so much better to be with people you care about and who care about you.

Spend quality time with them. Reminisce with one another about special shared memories. Join an activity which you both like. Make a point to go to lunch on a regular basis. On fair weather days, get outdoors and enjoy nature with one another. Shared experiences are so much better than doing something solo.

Together is a wonderful place to be.

“I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.”
- Helen Keller

“And as ridiculous as it may sound, sometimes all any of us needs in life is for someone to hold our hand and walk next to us.”
- James Frey

© Whelan Funeral Home/CFHC Online

07/20/2026

Hearses are among the most identifiable symbols of death. Join us for the ride as we take you down the winding roads of the history of the hearse!

07/15/2026

Preneed is a Common Choice

In funeral services, one of the key trends we are witnessing, in the way individuals and families make their arrangements… is preplanning. It wasn’t that long ago that most families only made arrangements at time of need, or, as a death had occurred.

There have been a number of changes in society that have had an impact on the choices people make with respect to their funerals, the most notable of these being the use of cremation as a form of disposition.

Funeral homes have also been ‘getting the word out’ about the importance of making arrangements in advance. The goal is to avoid having to make the many choices that are needed at an emotional and difficult time.

Individuals and families have responded, having the conversations that are needed, making choices that reflect their wishes and finding the peace of mind that comes with having these decisions in place.

If you have been pondering what options are available these days or just have some questions, please contact us. We would be happy to provide you the information you need.

© Whelan Funeral Home/CFHC Online

07/10/2026

07/06/2026

POOLE, Susan Marilyn
September 30 1950 - July 2 2026

With immeasurable sadness, we say goodbye to our beloved mother, Susan, whose vibrant soul and love of people left an enduring mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

On July 2, 2026, she passed away peacefully at the May Court Hospice after a brave battle with lung cancer, surrounded by the love of her family.

For those who knew Suzie, you knew she brought life wherever she went. A true free spirit, she was funny, sharp, fiercely generous, and impossible to forget, with a style all her own and a gift for turning ordinary moments into cherished memories.

She will be dearly missed by her children, Erika (Will), Chantel (Scott), and Keefe; her 'Seesters', Janet (the late Lorne), Brenda (Kevin), and Debbie (Keith); her brother Gary; her nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and by the many dear friends who became family.

Following her retirement from Global Affairs Canada, she was a devoted supporter of Ottawa's local music scene. She loved sharing laughter, supporting local bands, dancing to live music, and enjoying a tall glass of wine at her favourite haunts—The Laff, The Dom, The Rainbow, and Chez Lucien.

Mom was always generous and believed in giving back. In keeping with her selfless nature, her final wish was to donate her body to the University of Ottawa to help advance medical research and education.

A celebration of Susan's life will be held at a later date. Details will be shared with family and friends once arrangements have been finalized.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who filled her life with friendship, music, and laughter. To honour her generous nature, please consider making a donation in her name to the Ottawa Cancer Foundation.

The family has created a memorial page for anyone wishing to donate. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/the-ottawa-cancer-foundation-in-memoriam-of-susan-/

Arrangements entrusted to the Whelan Funeral Home tel. (613) 233-1488
https://www.whelanfuneralhome.ca/services.html

07/06/2026

Ode to 1926, Celebrating Life 100 Years Ago

The year 1926 was a time of economic prosperity for Canada and around the world. Domestically, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police base was established on Ellesmere Island – the northernmost part of Canada – asserting its claim in the Arctic region. Canada also moved back to the gold standard in 1926, a monetary system pe***ng the Canadian dollar in relation to gold. In global relations, Vincent Massey was appointed Canada’s first foreign minister to the U.S.

On a lighter note, the Great Stork Derby kicked off in 1926, in Toronto when proceeds from Charles Vance Millar’s will spearheaded a ten-year contest to see who could have the most babies. The $500K prize was split between four women with nine babies each.

In science and technology, Robert Goddard launched the first liquid-fuelled rocket in Massachusetts, kicking off what some believed was the start of the space age; the modest flight saw an altitude of just 56 metres. Other inventions of the year included the aerosol spray can developed by Norwegian chemical engineer Erik Rotheim and the gas fridge patented by Electrolux-Servel.
In the world of entertainment, Thomas Edison held firm to his belief that Americans preferred silent movies and would never support the “talkies.” He would be proven wrong, with the airing of the movie “Don Juan” at theatres a few months later. It was the first feature-length film to use the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system with a synchronized musical score and sound effects (although no spoken dialogue).

Other world news included:
• NBC launched operations.
• A.A. Milne published “Winnie the Pooh.”
• Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio became Walt Disney Studio.
• American Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel. Her time of 14 hours, 31 minutes was a record for both men and women, at that time.

An interesting quote from that year came from Nikola Tesla: “We shall be able to communicate with one another instantly, irrespective of distance. Not only this but … we shall see and hear one another as perfectly as though we were face to face … a man will be able to carry one in his vest pocket.”

© Whelan Funeral Home/CFHC Online

07/05/2026

POOLE, Susan Marilyn
(September 30, 1950 - July 2, 2026)

With immeasurable sadness, we say goodbye to our beloved mother, Susan, whose vibrant soul and love of people left an enduring mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

On July 2, 2026, she passed away peacefully at the May Court Hospice after a brave battle with lung cancer, surrounded by the love of her family.

For those who knew Suzie, you knew she brought life wherever she went. A true free spirit, she was funny, sharp, fiercely generous, and impossible to forget, with a style all her own and a gift for turning ordinary moments into cherished memories.

She will be dearly missed by her children, Erika (Will), Chantel (Scott), and Keefe; her 'Seesters', Janet (the late Lorne), Brenda (Kevin), and Debbie (Keith); her brother Gary; her nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and by the many dear friends who became family.

Following her retirement from Global Affairs Canada, she was a devoted supporter of Ottawa's local music scene. She loved sharing laughter, supporting local bands, dancing to live music, and enjoying a tall glass of wine at her favourite haunts—The Laff, The Dom, The Rainbow, and Chez Lucien.

Mom was always generous and believed in giving back. In keeping with her selfless nature, her final wish was to donate her body to the University of Ottawa to help advance medical research and education.

A celebration of Susan's life will be held at a later date. Details will be shared with family and friends once arrangements have been finalized.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who filled her life with friendship, music, and laughter. To honour her generous nature, please consider making a donation in her name to the Ottawa Cancer Foundation.

The family has created a memorial page for anyone wishing to donate: