Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Jennifer Almera Varcoe

Female 1862 - 1964  (101 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Jennifer Almera Varcoe 
    Born 4 Dec 1862  Roseneath, Northumberland Co.., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3
    Gender Female 
    Name Jennifer Almera Ball 
    Residence 1911  Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Presbyterian 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-194848 
    Died 28 Aug 1964  Paris, Brant County, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3
    Buried 31 Aug 1964  Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3
    Person ID I194848  Generations
    Last Modified 6 Apr 2024 

    Family Osborne Thomas Ball,   b. 21 Apr 1862, Cobourg, Hamilton Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 7 Jan 1943, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 80 years) 
    Married 6 Feb 1884  Alnwick Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 4
    Children 
     1. William Orra Ball,   b. 2 Feb 1885, Roseneath, Northumberland Co.., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 Jan 1977, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 91 years)
     2. John Wesley "Wes" Ball,   b. 9 Oct 1888, Alnwick Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 30 Mar 1916, Drumbo, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 27 years)
     3. Flora Mae "Flo" Ball,   b. 26 Jan 1889, Alnwick Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Sep 1980, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 91 years)
     4. Hilda Ball,   b. 29 Dec 1890, Roseneath, Northumberland Co.., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 7 Sep 1976, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 85 years)
     5. Gertrude Maude Ball,   b. 21 May 1894, Alnwick Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 May 1982, White Rock, , British Columbia, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 88 years)
     6. Addie Jane Ball,   b. 11 Sep 1895, Alnwick Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Apr 1952, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 56 years)
    Last Modified 7 Apr 2024 
    Family ID F186685  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Mrs. O. T. Ball Passes In Her 102nd Year

      The community was saddened on Friday by the death at Paris Nursing Home of Mrs. Osborne T. Ball, Ayr's oldest citizen, in her 102nd year
      .

      The former Jennifer Varcoe, she was born in Roseneath, Ont., on December 4, 1862, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Varcoe.

      Following her marriage in 1884, the couple farmed for several years in the Roseneath area, prior to moving to Norwood where Mr. Ball operated a novelty shop for about three years.

      In 1906 they came to Ayr, where Mr. Ball conducted an undertaking and furniture establishment for many years in what is now the Oddfellows' building on Stanley St. He passed away in 1942.

      Until her 100th birthday, Mrs. Ball had been ill only once when she suffered an attack of typhoid fever 46 years ago.

      Mrs. Ball was a member of Roseneath Methodist Church in her younger years and later was an adherent of Knox United Church. She was an active member of the former Ladies' Aid Society in the church and took a deep interest in the work of the Ayr Women's Institute.

      Some years ago Mrs. Ball fractured her hip in a fall and was confined to Brantford Hospital for eight months, following which she became a resident of Paris Nursing Home.

      In spite of advancing years, Mrs. Ball retained good hearing and vision and gave up knitting, at which she excelled; only a few years ago.

      As the years went by, Mrs. Ball's birthdays became a marked local event, and on the occasion of the 100th milepost she received the congratulations of the Queen, as well as national, provincial and local government leaders. Her kindly disposition was an outstanding characteristic which won her the friendship and respect of all, and her passing is a district loss to our community.

      Surviving are a son William O. Ball, Ayr; three daughters, Mrs. L.C. (flora) Vincent, Ayr; Mrs. L.C. (Hilda) Elms, Courtright, and Mrs. L.C. (Gertrude) Smiley of Rocklyn, near Meaford; one sister, Mrs. William Heal of Peterborough; 10 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son, Wesley ball, and a daughter, Mrs. L.B. (Addie) Sifton.

      The Funeral

      Funeral service was held on Monday at the W.O. Ball Funeral Home, operated by her son. Rev. W.J.V. Buchanan officiated and interment was made in the Ayr Cemetery.

      Pallbearers were grandsons: Lyle Sifton of St. Thomas, George Ball of Dundas, Fred Ball of Galt, Jack Ball, Warren Vincent and Marlen Vincent of Ayr.

      Ayr News Sep 3 1964 pg 1

      ____________________




      Mrs. O. T. Ball, Ayr's grand old lady of 100 years, spent some of the most glorious hours of her life on Tuesday, December 4th, 1962, when her venerable lifespan of a century was recognized by Queen Elizabeth and the heads of all levels of Canadian government.

      Although confined to bed at the Paris Nursing Home for several years, Mrs. Ball was bubbling over with excitement and interest as the honors were heaped upon her.

      First came the congratulatory message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, then a letter from Rt. Hon. John Diefenbaker, Prime Minister of Canada. Messages also arrived from Lester B. Pearson, from Gordon Chaplin, M.P. for South Waterloo, and Larry Pennell, M.P. for Brant-Haldimand.

      Mrs. Robert Nixon, wife of Robert Nixon, M.P.P. for Brant, arrived to present Mrs.Ball with a handsomely framed scroll from the Ontario government, signed by Provincial Secretary John Yaremko, extending congratulations.

      A few days previous, Reeve Mildred Gillies had presented a bouquet of roses, on behalf of the Village of Ayr, which were blooming magnificently in the room.

      Cards and letters poured In all during the day and were each given attention by Mrs. Ball.

      Of course, all the family members were present including the surprise visit of her two sisters, Mrs. Maggie Varcoe of Owosso, Michigan, who carries her 91 years lightly, and Mrs. Fannie Heal of Peterborough, a sprightly 83.

      These two charming ladies exemplified the remarkable longevity enjoyed in the family, for among the three sisters were 274 years of happy memories.

      Daughters, Mrs. L.C. Elms of Courtright and Ayr; Mrs. L. C. Smiley of Rocklyn; and Mrs. L.C. Vincent of Ayr, were present, along with her son, Mr. W. O. Ball, and many of the ten grandchildren, and twenty-seven greatgrandchildren .
      Late in the day, with the festivities past, Mrs. Ball settled back to her quiet, comfortable way of life, but with this added wonderful memory to treasure.

      With Mrs. Ball, in the above picture, is her daughter, Flora, Mrs. L.C. Vincent, and her grandson, Mr. 'Warren Vincent, of Ayr, Ontario.

      Mrs. Ball passed away quietly August 28th, 1964, in her 102nd year. Funeral service was held at, the W.O. Ball Funeral Home, operated by her son. Rev. W.J.V. Buchanan officiated and interment was made in the Ayr Cemetery.

      Women's Institute, Ayr Chapter

  • Sources 
    1. [S1282] Census - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - 1911, pg 1.

    2. [S619] News - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr News (1897- ), "Mrs. O. T. Ball passes in her 102nd year," Sep 3 1964 pg 1.

    3. [S367] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr Public CC#4489 Internet Link .
      [veteran's poppy] Ball/ Osborne Thomas Ball/ born April 21, 1862/ died Jan. 7, 1943/ his wife/ Jennifer A. Varcoe/ In Her 102nd year/ born Dec. 4, 1862/ died Aug. 28, 1964/ John Wesley Ball/ born Oct. 9, 1888/ died Mar. 30, 1916

    4. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration.
      Name: Jamifer Almera Varcoe Age: 21 Birth Date: abt 1863 Birth Place: Canada Marriage Date: 6 Feb 1884 Marriage County or District: Northumberland Father: John Varcoe Mother: Ursula Varcoe Spouse: Osbourne Ball Spouse's Age: 21 Spouse Birth Date: abt 1863 Spouse Birth Place: Canada Spouse Father: William Ball Spouse Mother: Jane Ball

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 6 Feb 1884 - Alnwick Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1911 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - 31 Aug 1964 - Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth