Obituary of Madeleine Antoinette (née Boyce) Arnsby

Passed peacefully at Sprucedale Care Centre, Strathroy, on Sunday, March 22, 2020 in her 100th year. Predeceased by her parents, Herbert (Jack) and Antoinette (née LeDroit) Boyce; brother, Jack; and sister, Odette Evans. Madeleine, born December 27,1920, lived a long and wonderful life, with a loving marriage of 62 years to her husband, John (2007). Together, they started a family that would come to include Denise, Stephen (1998) and Robert. Today, the life of Madeleine is celebrated by her daughter, Denise Gianelli (Lance); daughter-in-law, Sandra Arnsby (late Stephen); and son, Robert (Susan Elsley); six grandchildren: Michael Gianelli (Roxanne), Andrea Adams (Steve), Alissa Arnsby Park (Peter), Natalie Arnsby (Michael Panth), Peter Arnsby, and Michelle Arnsby Al-Jbouri (Jamie). She was always proud of and enjoyed the many visits and time spent with her ten great-grandchildren: Liam, Logan and Julia; Grace, Anthony and Ben; Lilian and Vivian; Robbie and Spencer. Madeleine was raised to be a very strong, resourceful and independent woman. At the age of 11, her parents sent her to France to live with her grandparents and attend school for a year. This journey started at the train station in London and concluded with an unescorted trip on an ocean liner. There, she would live with her maternal grandparents, attend school, and experience a life very different from the one back in Canada. After completing high school, Madeleine entered the work force and was employed as a teller at a bank. It would be there where she would meet her future husband, John, upon his return from serving in World War II. After their marriage in 1946, Madeleine and John settled in South London and joined Holy Rosary Parish. Madeleine was very active in The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, the church bowling league, bazaar and many fund raising activities. She enjoyed big band music, dancing, euchre and bridge. She also enjoyed knitting, making all kinds and types of crafts, and of course, crocheting. Later in life, Madeleine produced many afghans and donated them to local hospitals and long-term care homes. In 1985, after retirement, Madeleine and John moved to Grand Bend where they spent 20 plus happy years. There, she would become active in the community joining Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church, The CWL, Huron Country Playhouse Guild and the Southcott Pines Park Association. After John’s passing, Madeleine lived a very active 9 years at Longworth Retirement Residence in London. It was there where Madeleine would take up painting in water colours. Her final years were spent happily at Sprucedale Care Centre in Strathroy where she received very compassionate and outstanding care. Due to the current COVID-19 restriction, there will be no public recognition of her remarkable life. Cremation has taken place. A private family gathering, service and interment will be held at a later date.