Published in the December 8, 2016 edition.
BURLINGTON — Thelma (MacKinnon) Singleton, 93, formerly of Wakefield, passed away peacefully in Burlington after a brief illness.
Thelma was born in Clyde River, Prince Edward Island on March 21, 1923, to Gordon and Lula MacKinnon, and grew up on the family farm.
At the age of 18, she moved to Charlotottetown, PEI, where she worked as a cosmetician at Jenkins Pharmacy. There she met Bill Singleton, an American whose parents were also from PEI, on one of his many trips there to visit family.
Their romance was interrupted by World War II and Bill’s service in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
After they were married in Charlottetown on June 5, 1946, they relocated to Wakefield, where Bill was born and raised.
Thelma was a wonderful, caring mother, grandmother and friend to many. She enjoyed helping friends and neighbors and was a talented seamstress and knitter, creating many beautiful keepsakes for friends and loved ones. She loved music and sang in a local choral society for many years. Nothing made her happier in later years than singing with family and friends.
Several years after Bill passed away in 2002, Thelma moved to an assisted living facility, where she was a very active member of the community and an ambassador for new residents.
She was the beloved mother of Susan (Schermerhorn), Sharon and William. Thelma is also survived by her sisters, Doris Williams and Phyllis MacDonald of PEI and brother Garfield of Norwood; son-in law Richard Schermerhorn and daughter-in-law Susan Farrell; two grandchildren, Peter Schermerhorn (Jamie) and Samantha Schermerhorn Parker (Timothy); one great-granddaughter, Maisie Schermerhorn and many nieces and nephews. Thelma’s brother, Warren of PEI and her son’s partner, Cathy Gross, of Wakefield, predeceased her.
The family is planning a celebration of Thelma’s life at a later date. They are grateful for her place in their lives and she is greatly missed.
