Obituary of Aldine Della Nixon

It is with heavy hearts that we share the sudden but peaceful passing of our dear mother and grandmother, Aldine Della Nixon, nee Leathorne, who for almost 93 years graced the world and our lives with tireless energy, wisdom and devotion. She has been called home by God to be joyfully reunited with her husband of 66 years, Geoffrey Peter Nixon, her parents Irvine and Florence (Pring) Leathorne, and her grandson Taylor. Left behind to mourn her with grateful hearts full of wonderful memories are her children Christine (John), Greg (Kim), and Tim (Deanna), grandchildren Ian (Madeleine), Kevin, Trevor, Addison, Mathias, and Daisy, and nephews Graham and Brian (Jackie) and family. Born and educated in London, Ontario, Aldine loved to learn and was always at the top of her class. Her years of learning culminated in her graduation from the UWO’s School of Business, one of the first three women to do so. She carried this work ethic and devotion into her marriage and the raising of her family, working tirelessly to provide her children with care and opportunities, driving them to dance and music lessons, band and choir rehearsals, hockey practices and games, all the while putting in many hours of hard work at the family’s orchard. As her children grew more independent, she started working at H&R Block, quickly advancing to the position of Regional Manager, the role she retained until her retirement. Despite this full and busy life of commitments, she was still able to pursue her own hobbies of embroidery, needlepoint, reading, and researching her ancestry. As a member of the Crochet Club of London, she created beautiful blankets that were given to those in need of comfort and warmth. Much of her crocheting was accomplished while watching her favourite sports teams on TV: the Blue Jays, the London Knights and the Canadian Curling teams. Aldine loved nature, especially the environs of her family cottages. She spent many of her happiest childhood days fishing and climbing the sand dunes in Port Franks, and later enjoyed treks on the Bruce trail and tending her beautiful gardens in Lion’s Head. She loved all creatures great and small but had a special affection for elephants! She will be sadly missed by the Friends of St Luke’s, a caring community from her church where she was also a member of the ACW. A service of remembrance will be held at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Chapel, 303 Riverside Drive, London, on Tuesday October 29th at 2:00pm. In honour of Aldine’s memory, donations made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the London Humane Society, or the Alzheimer’s Society would be gratefully appreciated. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.mpcemetery.ca