“Construction Begins on Alexander Funeral Home”

To The Families of Chatham-Kent

After many months of uncertainty and speculation, Dan and I are pleased to announce that we are rebuilding the funeral home.  We are proud to begin a journey that will provide our community the construction and creation of a new home.  A new funeral home on the original site, where Alexander Funeral Home had been a place of celebration and remembrance.  The creation of a new home where we will come together as family, friends, and community, in a time of loss;  a home where Dan and I will be honoured to continue this wonderful history of caring.  

Our “Grand Lady” (the former building as I liked to call her) was consumed by fire on November 13th, 2009.  With our hearts broken by this tragic event our staff, our immediate families, our friends and community began their unconditional support of our family.   Just like a death, we grieved.  However, their love and support gave us the strength and determination to see this journey through.  Our commitment to care for our families did not waiver by this tragedy.  Our new building, although it will never replicate the majestic and grandeur of its predecessor, it will offer our community a home that dedicates itself to the celebration of human life.  

After the fire and while our new home is being built, we have been able to continue to serve the community of Chatham-Kent with the help of Kevin Cavanagh and his funeral home, Haycock-Cavanagh.  Please be assured that our commitment to care for you and your families has not wavered.   We are committed to serving the families of Chatham-Kent and moving forward, with heavy hearts, but with determination and dedication in rebuilding our funeral home.
The new funeral home will care for, respect, and honour each and all that pass through it’s doors.

Kindest Regards,
Anne & Dan Houle








Fire Destroys the Funeral Home:

A letter from Us...


To Our Families of Chatham-Kent

“Experience the difference caring makes”… let me tell you Dan and I experienced just that this past Friday evening.  On Friday evening around 10 pm ‘Summerlands’ better known as the “Alexander Funeral Home’ caught on fire.  With our hearts broken, we watched the devastation of fire destroy our home, a home that for over 83 years has been a place of celebration and  remembrance, a home where we came together as family, friends, and community, in a time of loss, a place Dan and I are honoured to be apart of and contribute to this wonderful history of caring.  

With grateful hearts we would like to thank the men and women of our fire department and police station for their incredible compassion and commitment in helping us through this simply inconceivable night and days that followed.   Words cannot express the kindness you have shown us and our family.  To our community, again, we are so blessed.  To see so many familiar faces, families that like ourselves that have shared a loss and experienced the comfort of that loss in our funeral home, was very humbling.  To our staff (our funeral family) John Saunders, Bob Belbeck, Bob Smith, Evelyn Reeve, Susan Brooks, Cheryl Crowe, Sandra Barnes and Kathy Mallot, thank you for simply just being you and for the love you always abundantly share with our family and the families we serve.  To our immediate families, thank you for your presence in our lives, and your unconditional love and support, especially now when we need it most.  To our community, thank you for making this our home, and sharing in the ownership of our funeral home.  To see so many familiar faces at the fire trying in their own way to mourn our loss and theirs, and the loss of a piece of history of our community, was overwhelming.  Thank for the phone calls, the hugs, the simple gestures like a hand shake, the food delivered to our home, the cards and emails, and most importantly the support and love each of you have shared.  

Dan and I want our families to know that our building may have been destroyed, but our commitment to this community will continue.  We have made arrangements that will allow us the ability to continue to serve the community of Chatham-Kent.   Please be assured that our commitment to care for you and your families will not waiver by this recent tragedy.  We are committed to serving the families of Chatham-Kent and moving forward, with heavy hearts, but with determination and dedication in rebuilding our funeral home.  


With Kindest Regards,
Anne, Dan, Jacob and Sarah Houle
  

MEMORIAL BUTTERFLY RELEASE"

VON Chatham-Kent presents 2010 Memories in Motion.  Join them Sunday August 22nd, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. in Tecumseh Park for their Annual Memorial Butterfly Release.  Butterflies are $25.00 each and orders in to be received by August 13th, 2010.  Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony.  This year we ask that you bring your own lawn chair.

The butterfly is nature's symbol of change, transformation and beauty.  Releasing a live butterfly for a loved-one is a special way to honour and remember them.  

For more information or to order a butterfly please contact:  Phone:  519-352-4462 ext. 5229  Email:  kerry.houston@von.ca




ALZHEIMER COFFEE BREAK

Celebrating 15 Years

Take a break on Thursday, September 16th, 2010 and have coffee delivered to your door to help support the Alzheimer Society of Chatham-Kent.  

Your coffee kit includes:
-12 cup ready to brew coffee package
-choice of:

1 dozen assorted Maple City Bakery Cookies  $20

1 (12 piece) Maple City Bakery Cupcake Cake  $25

1 dozen assorted Maple City Bakery Jumbo Muffins  $25

-12 cups, cream, sugar, sweetener, stir sticks & napkins

-Complimentary delivery by volunteers with Meals on Wheels/St. Andrew's Residence

To place your order call 519-352-1043 or email:  info@alzheimerchathamkent.ca