Binning Studios

DEATH OF MRS. W.E. BINNING AT TORONTO

            By the death of Mrs. W.E. Binning at Toronto on Saturday last Listowel lost one of its most highly esteemed citizens and earliest pioneers.  Mrs. Binning had not been in robust health for the past few years and had suffered from heart trouble.  However, she was enjoying her usual health, and on Tuesday of last week left for Toronto, going via rail as far as Guelph and from there she motored with her son Robert and his wife to Toronto.  She enjoyed the motor trip very much and was feeling fine after reaching Toronto.  She was visiting in the city with an old friend, Mrs. Mitchell.  On Friday evening she took a weak spell and a doctor was called in.  She seemed to get relief, but on Saturday she took a turn for the worse and gradually grew weaker, slipping peacefully away before three o’clock.

            The late Mrs. Binning, whose maiden name was Mary Jane Cassey, was in her seventy-second year.  She was borne in Shakespeare where her girlhood life was spent.  In 1871 she and Mr. Binning were married at Stratford and a few months afterwards took up their residence in Listowel, where they have since resided.

            Until failing health compelled her to give up some activities the late Mrs. Binning always took an active interest in church work, being a great help in the work of Knox church.  She was president of the Mission Band for many years and being a great lover of children she was always planning and arranging functions for their instruction and enjoyment, and many happy hours have been spent as a direct result of her endeavors.  In her home and as a neighbor she was a source of great comfort and her consoling and helpful disposition made many life-long warm friends who will learn with deep regret of her death.

            On June 22, 1921, Mr. and Mrs. Binning celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding, the happy event being the occasion of a family reunion.

            Her bereaved husband, one daughter, Miss Edith, at home, and six sons, namely W.J. Binning, Moose Jaw; B.C. Binning, Calgary; A.F. Binning, Vancouver; R.J. Binning, until recently Cranbrook but now Barrie; G.A. Binning, Walkerville, and Scott Binning, at home, are left to mourn the loss of a kind and loving wife and mother and to them is extended the deepest sympathy of the entire community in their hour of sorrow.

            The remains were brought home on Monday, and the funeral took place on Tuesday.  A private service was held at 10 a.m. and a public service was held in Knox church at 2:30 p.m.  A large number of citizens were present to pay their last respects.  The pastor, Rev. J.M. Nicol, delivered a comforting discourse, picturing the future world where there will be no parting, no doubt, no danger, no fear.  He also paid a high tribute to the late Mrs. Binning.  Mrs. A.J. Hamilton sang sweetly a solo full of comfort to the bereaved, entitled “Only a Little Way Home.”  The pall bearers were Messrs. J. Livingstone, T. Male, A. Yule, A.M. Smith, S. Tatham and G. Gray.  Interment was made at Fairview cemetery.  – Listowel (Ont.) Standard.