It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Thelma Mary Ethel John. Thelma passed away surrounded by her family on March 16, 2024, just a few weeks after her 89th birthday.

Thelma was born on February 25th, 1935, to Hazel and Gilbert Baring.

Thelma is survived by her children Arthur (Heather), Dolly (Joe), Melvin (Lillian), Oliver (Elizabeth) Austin, Benny, and Daphne.

Grand Children: Fiona (Jamie) Randy (Lisa), Nigel, Lionel, Clinton (Amy), Rachel, Amanda (Kyle), Brenden (Kim), Britney, Andre (Aisha), Bradley, Natalie (Troy), Ben, Aria, and Emma.

Great-grandchildren: Joshua, Fisher, Jasmine, Quintin, Samara, Jada, Karissa, Mya, Aiden, Ava, Abby, and Isa. As well as her siblings Yvonne, Annie, James, and Colleen.

Thelma is preceded in death by her parents, Gilbert and Hazel, her brother Allen and her loving husband, Martin (Monty) John who passed away in 2004.

Thelma has left this world now to rejoin her soulmate and be TOGETHER FOREVER.

Thelma loved to fish and hunt with her father and could fire a gun as well as her father and string an earthworm on a fishing line without batting an eyelid! She played a wooden flute and loved to sing and spoke a number of languages including Gurkali (language spoken in Nepal).

Thelma belonged to the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) and was honored several years ago as one of St. Dunstan’s oldest CWL members. She was also a key member of the Progressive Conservative party caucus and she and her late husband Martin John were area directors in the riding of Don Valley East.

Thelma could knit a sweater within hours and single handedly prepare a meal for 40 of her family members. She was well known for her fruit cake and Balchow, a famous anglo-indian spicy pickled shrimp. She loved to go to the Casino and was always lucky at the slots. She loved entertaining and planned many community dances and Casino trips.