Agatha Ruphine
June 20, 1933 -January 20, 2024
It is with deep sad
ness that we announce the passing of our beloved Agatha, January 20, 2024, at the age of 90 in Ste-Geneviève, Québec.
She is survived by her sister Eastlyn, her sister Gloria, her sister-in-law Sheila Cohen, her many nephews and nieces, her stepson David Danovitch (Diane Kukla), step grandsons, Steven Danovitch (Irene Ashimwe), Jason Danovitch (Alicia Howard), Ryan Danovitch (Samantha Guillemette) and step great grandchildren Amanda Munyarigoga and Maverick Danovitch.
Agatha was born June 20, 1933 in Trinidad and Tobago to Jestina Simmons and Phillip Ruphine. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Errol, her husband Moses Danovitch and her brothers William and Neville.
Single mother to her teenage son Errol, Agatha left him temporarily in the care of family to prepare a better life for them both in America. First to New York in 1973, where William had moved, then to Montreal in 1975. Tragically, her son was taken in an accident. Agatha forged on and settled in Granby in the Eastern Townships of Montreal and started working with families as a nanny and housekeeper. She cherished those memories as she loved the children so. She then moved to Chambly to work in a nursing home. Low and behold, a Mrs. Tillie (Tobie) Danovitch who was under her care had a son who quickly fell to her charms and married her in 1980. She then moved to Côte St-Luc where she started an 18 year career as a PAB or “homemaker”, as she used to call it, at the CLSC.
Agatha loved to travel and visited Australia, Israel, Greece, England, Belgium… and went on numerous cruises. She loved books, nature/animal shows and sitcoms. Close to her heart was the plight of the helpless, children and animals as she sponsored many children through World Vision and donated to the SPCA. But most of all, Agatha loved to laugh and “enjoy”!
Agatha will be missed by all who knew her, her many friends and colleagues, in particular Diane, Elizabeth and Helen who were a tremendous support to her.
Never a more gentle soul has walked among us.
Life can be beautiful, try to make it so
There is never need to grumble when skies above are gray, because before you know it winds will blow the clouds away.
It’s the same with worldly trouble, it will come and it will go, in a matter of a moment joys can reappear, you know.
So therefore one should not complain when heartaches plague your life; there always is a bit of cheer for every bit of strife.
Life is never all one sided, of this you should be aware; the God above gives all of us our just and equal share.
Some folks seem to have it better, others seem to have it worse, but in the end it may turn out exactly the reverse.
So trust in God above you, pray for health, do not protest and you will find that what He does is for the best.
Joseph Zwibel
Jacklin (Jackie) Webb
February 5, 1942-January 10, 2024
Jacklin (Jackie) Webb, passed away in the early hours of January 10, 2024, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Devoted mother to Dawn (Brigitte), Ron (Dorothy), Marlene (David) and loving Nanny and Granny to six grandchildren (Rudy, Brittany, Paris, Laurence, Aliya and Kamila) and five great-grandchildren. She is survived by her siblings, Majorie (Kenneth), Herbert (Norcene), Kerwin, June (Roland), and joins her parents, Victorine Leontine and William Frederick and brother Austin. Jackie was also a cherished aunt, friend, and loved one to many.
Born on February 5, 1942, in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, Jackie lived a remarkable life pursuing her two passions, education and the performing arts.
After earning degrees at both Concordia and McGill, she began her career in education teaching at Roslyn Elementary before becoming a principal at various schools, notably Parkdale, Merton, Coronation and Nesbitt. Her dedication to her vocation was such that she took part in a French immersion program in Chicoutimi after she was moved to a bilingual school, so as to better communicate with francophone teaching staff. Before retiring, she was honoured with the Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Administrators of English Schools of Quebec.
Jackie’s other great passion was the performing arts. She was part of the Drama Guild in Trinidad, and after moving to Montreal in 1963, she began performing with the Black Theatre Workshop (BTW). Her first role with BTW was in the 1979 production of A Raisin in the Sun. Jackie went on to perform in numerous productions and won Best Actress at the Quebec Drama Festival for her role as Jennifer in BTW’s Here Comes the Groom (1989). She moved between the stage and the screen, in movies such as Time at the Top (1999) and The Trotsky (2009). She remained dedicated to BTW [from the wings] acting as Board President for 27 years, until passing the torch in 2019, when she enjoyed a well-deserved second retirement.
When she wasn’t working, Jackie could be found listening and dancing to her favourite music, whose genres ran the gamut, from Motown and Soul to Calypso and Soca and her beloved Celine Dion. She enjoyed time spent playing Rummy, attending live theatre, travelling, reading a good book, or watching her favourite shows.
Jackie had a profound impact on all of those she crossed paths with, whether it be for minutes or years. Her family, friends, colleagues, and castmates mourn her deeply and will think of her always
