Obituary of Thelma Searles

Thelma Elizabeth SEARLES (nee ELLIS) Passed away peacefully at age 87 after a brief illness at The Scarborough Hospital on March 28 with her family by her side. Predeceased by her beloved husband of 57 years, Gerald; survived by children, Gerald (Neda), Keith (Christine), Marilyn, Lynda (George), Kenneth (Noel), daughter-in-law Karin, grandchildren Melanie, Danielle, Darnel, Josh, Malick, Lauren, Devon, Renay, Tia and Cara, great-grandchildren Jordon, Isla, Nicholas, David and Xavier and many nieces and nephews. Also survived by siblings Aubrey Sr., Robert (Estelle), Yvonne and sister-in-law, Ernesta. Predeceased by sister Delores and brothers Victor, Roy and Darnley, Jr. Thelma was born on December 7, 1929 in Toronto to Kathleen Ellis (neé Blair) and Darnley Ellis. The eldest of eight children, Thelma attended Charles G. Frazer Public School, Central Technical Institute and Shaw Business College. She married Gerald K. Searles and with him raised five children. In the early days of their marriage, she worked as a seamstress and a postal worker while her husband worked and attended medical school. Together they achieved their dream of Gerald becoming a doctor and after he graduated, she became a full-time homemaker. They moved with their family to northwestern Ontario where they lived for several years, before resettling in Toronto. Thelma was a gentle woman and loving mother, always kind, thoughtful and generous to everyone lucky enough to be in her orbit. She had many wonderful friends and will be sorely missed. Visitation to be held on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Ogden Funeral Home, 4164 Sheppard Ave. E. (east of Kennedy), Scarborough. Funeral Service to be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 6th at St. Dunstan of Canterbury Anglican Church, 56 Lawson Rd., Scarborough. Interment to follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please donate to UNICEF or the Heart & Stroke Foundation. We wish to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the ICU at The Scarborough Hospital for their excellent care and compassion. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=thelma-searles&pid=184785115#sthash.YEE0Gmew.dpuf