Cassie Belle Dillabough

Cassie Dillabough, a lifetime resident of the area, passed away at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Sat., Nov. 7, 2009, following a brief illness. She was 93.
Cassie Belle Hummel was born on Feb. 25, 1916 to parents George and Annes Hummel on a little farm north of Winchester Springs, where she was raised along with her four brothers Myles, Bert, Earl, and Lee, and two sisters, Lera and Lola. She went to school in Winchester Springs and lived there until her dad sold the farm and moved to another farm just north of Williamsburg. Cassie lived there until she met Calvin Meiker Dillabough, whom she married on June 26, 1935, following a short courtship. They lived in a couple of different houses before they settled on a farm on the Weager Road. During these first few years of marriage they had two children, Shirley and Ray, and they would each give them four grandchildren, and in turn 14 great-grandchildren. Later in life she would open her arms and heart to four more grandchildren and their families.
She loved her family first and foremost, and always wanted to help in any way she could. She taught all her family how to bake and cook. Nothing was measured out; she would just know by looking in the bowl or by the texture if it was right. There was very little that she couldn't turn her hand to: cooking, baking, knitting, crocheting, tatting, quilting, canning, and pickling, and if someone wanted to know how to do any one of those things, she would never hesitate to share her knowledge with them. The most important lesson she taught to everyone around her was to love your family and friends and be good and kind to one another.
She worked hard on the family farm, but she also worked outside the home as well., from decorating wedding cakes, picking apples, working at the egg grading station, to Morewood Homes. She and Calvin both worked there, he doing carpentry work and she doing the stone work. While working there they decided to take a little piece of their farm and help build the home that they would retire in.
Cassie had a lot of names, such as mom, grandma, gram, G-ma, aunt Cass, and she was the happiest when anyone of her family came to visit. There was always an open door and usually when a person arrived at her home there would be a container of white jam cookies, date cookies, and usually a pie, or a batch of donuts. When a visitor walked into her home she would usually say, "Oh I'm so glad, you're here, I was just thinking that you would be along today," and most times they would end up staying for a meal. She always thought that visitors couldn't go home without her feeding them.
Cassie always loved to tell stories and have fun. She and Cal went to dances and parties, camping trips with their daughter Shirley and her husband Lyle, bowling, bingo, and card games. She always tried to make each occasion a special one. For example, she loved Halloween. Very rarely did she ever buy a costume, but make it herself, like the "monkey suit" made from old feed bags and nylons. She made the best popcorn balls, and no matter how many trick-or-treaters she had, she always saved enough to ensure that her grandchildren got one and a can of pop to go with it.
Cassie will be deeply missed by her family and friends for her pleasant disposition and demeanour, which endeared her to everyone she came into contact with.
She is survived by her son Ray (Verna) of RR #2 Chesterville, and her son-in-law Lyle Munro of RR #2 Chesterville. Cassie will be sadly missed by eight grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Calvin, her daughter Shirley Munro, sisters Lola Young and Lera Young and brothers Myles, Bert, and Earl Hummel. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home in Williamsburg on Mon., Nov. 9. The funeral service was held at the funeral home on Tues., Nov. 10 with Rev. Elaine Beattie officiating, followed by interment at Maple Ridge Cemetery in Chesterville. The pallbearers were grandchildren Cathy Crump, Ron Munro, Carl Munro, Lynden Munro, Donna Dillabough, Wayne Dillabough, Darlene Marcellus, and Debbie Sharkey. The honourary pallbearers were great-grandchildren Jaime Dillabough, Aimee Dillabough, Adam Dillabough, Blair Marcellus, Alanna Marcellus, Brooke Sharkey, Jordan Sharkey, Stacey Munro, Andrea Samuel, Brad Munro, Erin Munro, Shawn Munro, Pam Crump, and Jody Crump.
Donations to the Winchester District Memorial Hospital or the J.W. MacIntosh Senior Support Centre would be appreciated by the family.