Venetia Woodruff

Venetia Woodruff 1939-2018 Venetia Mary Beatrice was born to George and Jessie Stapleford on August 20, 1939, in Down Patrick, Northern Ireland, and took her final breath in the Algonquin Grace Hospice On Wednesday May 30, 2018. She spent the war years in London with her mother, uncle and grandmother. Her father spent those same years walking from one German POW camp to another, 7 years in all. Around 1950, the Staplefords moved to Canada. For the first short while they remained in the Toronto area but never felt at ease there. In 1954, they found their true heart home in Muskoka, and Venetia became a dedicated Muskoka girl. In the early 1960s her father George brought a Muskoka boy home from work. In 1963, Venetia married Jack Woodruff in All Saints Church and lived in Huntsville for the rest of her life. Together they raised their three children, Douglas, Kenneth, and Mary. Even during her child rearing years Venetia became deeply involved in community affairs, both through her job and also through her life as "The Terminal Volunteer" a title given her by Huntsville's local newspaper. The Police Force, who knew her as Constable Vee, Canadian Red Cross, Operation Red Nose, Hospice Huntsville, Community Policing, The Royal Canadian Legion, Huntsville Hospital Auxillary, and The Town of Huntsville, all profited from her efforts on their behalf. Perhaps though, her greatest influence was on many of the women living in Muskoka today. Venetia's personal interest in Girl Guides turned her into an extraordinary leader of Guide Companies and Brownie Packs, she even became District Commissioner. So many girls learned both their moral values and many practical skills through Venetia's efforts. Over time, ill health forced her to back away from these commitments, and her final years saw many trips to the hospital, often by ambulance. Venetia was predeceased by her parents, her son Ken, and her brother Chris. She is survived by her husband Jack, her son Douglas (Kimberley Colhoun), and Doug's daughter Lisa. By her daughter Mary, and Mary's daughters Kaitlyn and Kayley. Also by her youngest brother Norm, who lives in Huntsville. As well as by many nieces and nephews living in Ontario, and cousins in England. The family will receive friends on Monday, June 4, 2018 from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Billingsley Funeral Home, 430 Ravenscliffe Road, Huntsville. A Legion service will commence at 7 p.m at Billingsley Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at All Saint's Anglican Church in Huntsville on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 11 a.m. Cremation to follow. Reception to follow in the church hall. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations can be made to Algonquin Grace Hospice, 100 Frank Miller Drive, Huntsville, ON P1H 1H7. Messages of condolence can be left at www.billingsleyfuneralhome.com