Obituary of Pamela Mary Hanley

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Pamela Mary Hanley (Ne: Tillard) at her home on Friday April 19, 2019 in her 104th  year. Predeceased by her husband J.R. Hanley (1985), her father Edward Rossyln Tillard and her mother Isabel Beatrice (Sadlier) and by her in-laws, William E. Hanley and Eleanor T. Hanley and by sisters Betty and Lorna Tillard (aka Sr. Mary Francis) and brother-in-law A.D. Hanley.

Survived by a son Michael John Tillard Hanley (Montreal) and a daughter Jennifer Jane Sheppard (Chatham).  

Also survived by sister-in-law Helene Vera Hanley and her children Elizabeth Rae (Ted) and their children Dylan, Steven and Gillian, and Jonathon Calhoun. Dr. Stuart (Melinda) Hanley and their children Grant and Heather and her cousins in England Rob and Anne Tillard, Sarah and James Tillard and family, Christine Taylor and Philip and Isabel Taylor and their children Lydia and Evie. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Matsusaki and the Thamesview Family Health Team and Bayshore Health Care.  

Also to the many kind friends who helped Pamela in her later years.  

A Memorial Funeral Service will be held in Christ Church (80 Wellington St. W., Chatham) on Saturday May 25, 2019 at 11 am. 

Burial to follow in Maple Leaf Cemetery.

Donations to I.O.D.E. (Chatham) Kent Regiment Chapter, Chatham Christ Church Memorial Fund, The Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund, Chatham Outreach for Hunger or P.A.W.R. 

Pamela Mary Hanley, born in 1915 at her grandparent’s home in Godmanchester England while her father was away serving in WWI. Her parents and twin sisters Lorna and Betty later moved to Malvin Hills, Binham, Southwold and Bexhill. At the age of 14, Pam’s father took her on a holiday to see Canada, after her mother passed away. He wanted to show her his property in Saanich B.C. They travelled by rail and she would sit at the back of the train watching the scenery go by. Back in England went to St. Helen’s Abbingdon school. Then travelled to Norway and Finland. Later joined the VAD’s Voluntary Aid Detachment. She was called up to serve on the days WW2 was declared. Pam was sent to Netley Hospital South Hampton and there during the Battle of Britain, she served in hospitals and reception stations in England then went overseas to serve at Norcia Hospital at the base of Mt. Vesuvius. Pamela met Captain John Hanley on the troopship going abroad through the Mediterranean to Italy. They corresponded throughout the war. At the end of the war she travelled back to Britain in an empty bomber to reunite with Jack and were married in 1945 at the Little Common Church in Bexhill. Jack retured to Canada with the Army. Pamela followd months later with the other war brides on the M.V. George ship arriving to Halifax in 1946. The brides travelled across Canada to different destinations by rail. Pamela being dropped off in Chatham Ontario to her husband Jacks family home. Both their children were born in Chatham, Jennifer in 1948 and Michael in 1950. Pam and Jack lived in Port Lambton, Wallaceburg, Préville (Montreal), Aurora Ontario before retiring in Chatham to the same home she had come to so many years before as a war bride. Pamela travelled to England to visit family a few times and went on many fishing trips with Jack. Travelled to visit family and friends in Florida and other parts of Canada. Then again to visit Saanich with her sister Betty. Pamela enjoyed her book club and volunteered in a variety of organizations IODE, food bank, Humane Society, church alter groups and more. Pam and Jacks home was full of music and were blessed with making life long friends where ever they moved whose friendship was always treasured. Pam was a devoted wife and mother. An accomplished cook and passionate gardener. “Her favorite flower was the Daffodil”. She was fond of wildlife and watching birds in her garden. She treasured her pet dogs and cats throughout her years. She was always interested in the latest news and sports. Lover of books and poetry, her favorite poem was “Daffodils” by William Wordsworth.

“I wander'd lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”