Jennifer Almera Varcoe

1862 - 1964  (101 years)

• Name	Jennifer Almera Varcoe
  Born	4 Dec 1862	Roseneath, Northumberland Co.., Ontario   [1, 2, 3]
  Gender	Female
  Name	Jennifer Almera Ball
  Residence	1911	Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  	Presbyterian
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-194848
  Died	28 Aug 1964	Paris, Brant County, Ontario, Canada   [2, 3]
  Buried	31 Aug 1964	Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2, 3]
  Person ID	I194848	Generations
  Last Modified	28 Jan 2025

  
  

  Family	Osborne Thomas Ball,   b. 21 Apr 1862, Cobourg, Hamilton Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario ,   d. 7 Jan 1943, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 80 years)
  Married	6 Feb 1884	Alnwick Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario   [2, 4]
  Children	1. William Orra Ball,   b. 2 Feb 1885, Roseneath, Northumberland Co.., Ontario ,   d. 1 Jan 1977, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 91 years)   2. John Wesley "Wes" Ball,   b. 9 Oct 1888, Alnwick Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario ,   d. 30 Mar 1916, Drumbo, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age 27 years)   3. Flora Mae "Flo" Ball,   b. 26 Jan 1889, Alnwick Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario ,   d. 21 Sep 1980, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 91 years)   4. Hilda Ball,   b. 29 Dec 1890, Roseneath, Northumberland Co.., Ontario ,   d. 7 Sep 1976, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 85 years)   5. Gertrude Maude Ball,   b. 21 May 1894, Alnwick Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario ,   d. 24 May 1982, White Rock, , British Columbia, Canada  (Age 88 years)   6. Addie Jane Ball,   b. 11 Sep 1895, Alnwick Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario ,   d. 15 Apr 1952, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada  (Age 56 years)
  Last Modified	29 Jan 2025
  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

  [S1282] Census - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - 1911, pg 1. [S619] News - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr News (1897- ), "Mrs. O. T. Ball passes in her 102nd year," Sep 3 1964 pg 1. [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 [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

  Married - 6 Feb 1884 - Alnwick Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario Residence - Presbyterian - 1911 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - 31 Aug 1964 - Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth