The Beresford family is saddened by the peaceful passing of Dorothy (Pat) Beresford on June 8, 2021 at the Wellington Terrace Long Term Care Home in Fergus.
Pat was born in Belfast in 1924, to Harland & Wolff engineer, Charles Wielding and Emily (nee Gillespie) Wielding. At the outbreak of World War II, the family moved to Ashtead, Surrey, where prior to the war’s end, Pat met and married a young Canadian army officer (and D-Day veteran), John (Jack) Beresford of Calgary, Alberta.
After demobilization, Jack and Pat settled in Montreal for a few years before moving to Guelph, where Jack gained employment at Guelph Paper Box. After a number of years, working there in a variety of capacities, Jack and Pat founded the Beresford Box Company in Waterloo, Ontario.
An avid and talented landscape painter, Pat opened Witch-Craft no Quebec Street, which operated for a number of years selling supplies to the Guelph arts and crafts community.
While in her 50’s, Pat decided to return to school and achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Guelph. Then, following Teachers College at Western, practiced teaching on a part-time basis.
Pat was an avid and accomplished golfer, and spent hours on the links in Guelph and Sarasota, where she wintered for many years.
Pat is survived by her daughters Jill Beresford and Sandra Stubbert (Mark), and son Christopher Beresford (Marilyn), as well as by nieces Elspeth Webb, Glennis Pewsey, and Rowena Stroud of the UK. She is predeceased by Jack Beresford, son Gregory, granddaughter Stephanie Stubbert, and brother Standish Wielding (sister-in-law Margaret) of Woodbury, Devonshire. Pat is also survived by twelve grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
A private family funeral will be held at the graveside at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Guelph. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.
The family wishes to extend their appreciation to the staff of Wellington Terrace for the care and attention they provided for Pat during the last few years of her life.
A tree will be planted in memory of Dorothy (Pat) Beresford in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.