In Memoriam

Following the call of the loon, with paddle in hand, John began his final canoe trip after a meaningful life devoted to service, learning, and adventure. He loved to sing, travel, read, eat, talk, and he adored his family.

John was in his 82nd year; loving husband to Sheryn (Ingram) and proud father of David (Andrea McConkey), Kristin (Patrick Henry), Kathryn, and Amy (Darrin Davis). Much-loved grandfather to Bella, Tegan, Ross, Aria, and Sadie. John will be fondly remembered as the master of blueberry pancakes, lover of rock moving, and a man with a keen intellect and large breadth of knowledge.

Born in Hamilton, John spent his early years on Glengrove Ave. in Toronto. He was the eldest of three brothers, Jim and David (Gail), born to Dorothy and Bill (William) Jefferies. The family moved to Cumnock Crescent, Oakville, in 1952. He attended St. Jude’s Anglican Church, where he was a featured boy soprano. John went on to continue exploring and expressing his love of music throughout his life, sharing a deep and meaningful bond with his mother in particular, through their shared love of classical and operatic music.

John went on to study biochemistry at McMaster University, before earning his Medical Degree at Queen’s. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the Wellesley Hospital in Toronto, where he began his career. In search of a position at a hospital closer to cottage country, John moved to Orillia in 1974, where he began a remarkable career serving the community in his professional medical practice for over 40 years. The nights and weekends of emergency and ICU on-call work, in addition to his regular weekly practice, reflected an extraordinary level of commitment for JJ, as he was affectionately known by his colleagues. His brother, Jim, who was ill with schizophrenia for much of his life, was also never far from John’s mind.

With his priorities clearly on display, John built a cottage before he owned a home. His vision of a family getaway close to Algonquin Park became a reality when he purchased a lot on Rabbit Bay, Lake of Bays. His love of Canada’s north was fostered by his father, who took his family camping from an early age. John spent several summers as a camper and staff member at the Taylor Statten Camps, where he developed a love of canoe trips. Even amidst his demanding medical career, John always made time for spring canoe trips with his children, turning these outings into cherished annual rituals of renewal. This love of paddling took John as far north as the Horton River, NWT, and west to Haida Gwaii.

John and Sheryn welcomed four children into their lives who were fortunate to grow up in the Belmoral Drive neighbourhood of Orillia. The family joined St. Paul’s United Church, where John was a dedicated member of the choir until his final year. John was often engaged as a soloist with his fine baritone voice, and he quickly became an enthusiastic member of the Cellar Singers. His love for music extended to the theatre, where he starred as the leading man in numerous Mariposa Arts Theatre musicals at the Orillia Opera House. He was also a dedicated patron of the arts, which saw him regularly travel to see his beloved operas, symphonies, and musicals.

In retirement, his dedication to his community and family remained unwavering. He volunteered for various charitable organizations and planned not one but two benefit concerts for Ukraine. He also took incredible care of his aging mother, Dorothy, into her 104th year, regularly delivering soup, companionship, and support to her in Oakville.

John passed peacefully at home, listening to music, surrounded by his loving family after battling a rare, mantle-cell lymphoma cancer. The family is grateful for the loving care of Dr. Ramy Kamal and the oncology team under Dr. Nay at RVH. He will be remembered as a man who gave all of himself – to his patients, his family, his music, and community. His legacy is one of service, love, and loyalty. His absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him.

Joan Kathleen Crooks (nee Jamieson) peacefully died at Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga. She is survived by her husband, Gerald (Gerry) Crooks, three children, and seven grandchildren. 

Joan was born Sept. 5, 1932, in Ottawa and grew up in Montreal, Ottawa, Carleton Place and Toronto. Following her mother Mary Hooper Jamieson’s proud example (Bachelor of Commerce, 1929), she attended Queen’s. She graduated in 1955 as a Bachelor of Nursing Science. She took her training at KGH, class of ‘54. Days after marrying in 1957, she moved with Gerry to his military posting in Germany. During their two-year “honeymoon” in Europe, they explored Bavarian castles, Swiss meadows, and Dutch tulip gardens. In 1959, they returned by trans-Atlantic ocean liner with their first child to settle in Kingston. 

Joan worked teaching nursing, and in community nursing with the Victorian Order of Nurses, supporting the Kingston community. 

She enjoyed summers at their cottage on Bobs Lake with her grandchildren. She and Gerry danced with the Kingston Square Dance club for many years. We will all miss her immensely.

John Hyland Limeburner passed away on the evening of Sept. 6 surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife of 33 years Cynthia; his sisters, Jane and Mary (Wayne); and his children, Chip and Peter (Ashley). He was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Gaggie; and sister, Ann.

As a man who spent his life reading and learning, John completed many degrees, including a BComm at Loyola College in 1968; an MBA at Queen's in 1974; and the National Program at McGill in 1985, earning both a BCL and LLB.

Throughout his life, John devoted himself to serving his communities. Whether it be the golf community through the Quebec Golf Association and Royal Canadian Golf Association; his work at McGill for 25-plus years; his religious community at St. Ignatius of Loyola parish; his work with the Black Watch Foundation and Concordia Alumni Association; or his community, as a resident of Montreal West, he put all his energy into bettering the lives of those around him in whatever way he could. He will be deeply missed and long remembered by all who knew him.

Dr. Pamela Frid passed away on July 3, 2024. She is survived by her mother, Karen Simmons (William); sister, Sandra Frid (Artsci’83, MSc’85, Ed’86) (Nevile); sister, Beverly Frid-Burrows (MBA’84) (Scott); and niece, Holly Burrows (Artsci’18). Pam was the granddaughter of James Curtis Houston (BSc’30) who first introduced Pam to a love of Queen’s and Queen’s football as a young child in the 1960’s. 

Pam began her education at Queen’s in 1976 and graduated from the medical school in 1982. While at Queen’s, Pam was a very proud member of Queen’s Bands (French horn) for five years and thoroughly enjoyed the tradition of the parade to football games. This love continued throughout her life and her attendance at many homecoming weekends. Pam practiced in her early career in Kingston and was a member of the faculty at Queen's School of Medicine. After moving to London, Ont., Pam spent over 20 years as the medical director at Thames Valley Children’s Centre, with a cross appointment on the faculty at Western University. Pam received official recognition from the Royal College of Physicians of Canada for her contributions in establishing developmental paediatrics as a medical specialty with its own curriculum and its own qualification exam. She was chair of the national exam committee for several years. 

After retirement in 2023, Pamela was named as a Professor Emeritus at Western University. Pam loved Queen’s and Kingston with her whole heart. It had been her intention to spend her retirement years in Kingston, where her family roots extend back to 1784. Her ties to Queen’s campus included “Grey House”, which was built by her great-great-grandfather, James Maxwell, in 1899 and who also built many of the stately brick homes that now house Queen’s students. Her ties to Kingston included her grandmother, Doris Bruce, who was born and raised at 420 Albert St. and her great grandfather Robert Bruce, who owned a mercantile department store on Princess Street and who liked to tell stories about his first job as a young lad planting the trees that now shade many of the streets in the University District. 

Pamela’s ashes have come home to Kingston, and she is resting in Cataraqui Cemetery, where seven generations of her family are buried.