Ethel Estrid Deakin

Mrs. Ethel Estrid Deakin (nee Bjorkstedt), aged 91 years, passed away peacefully in St. Joseph’s Hospital on Friday September 17, 2021 following a brief illness.

Born in Port Arthur, Ethel lived a full life in Thunder Bay. She loved spending time with family and friends, was a very active member of Christ Lutheran Church up until the last few years and belonged to various other organizations. Ethel was a long-time volunteer at Bethammi Nursing Home and also volunteered her time with the Lutheran Community Care Centre. She was an avid knitter and her knitted scarves, mitts, hats, sweaters and afghans were enjoyed by all.

Ethel will be sadly missed by her son-in-law Ron Junnila, her sister-in-law Gale Bjorkstedt and Dorothy Ridgeway of Ottawa; niece Cathy Maki (Jim) and Camille Hughes of Ottawa; nephews: Stephen Bjorkstedt (Darlene), Mark Bjorkstedt (Aileen) of Ottawa, Owen Hughes (Sandra) of Victoria, and Mark Hughes (Marie) of Ottawa; granddaughters: Debbie Cochrane (Dean) of Minneapolis, Jay Junnila (Peter) of Toronto and Patty-Jo Junnila (Todd) of Thunder Bay, grandson Don Baker (Cyndi) of Calgary, great-granddaughters Brooke and Regan Baker and Libby Kellar.

Ethel was predeceased by her parents, Edwin and Anna Bjorkstedt, her brother Gilbert Bjorkstedt, her first husband Joe Hughes, her second husband Don Deakin, daughters Beverly Junnila and Joy Premus, and her brother-in-law Phil Hughes. In her last days, she was really looking forward to catching up with them.

According to Ethel’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and a Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 25, 2021 in Christ Lutheran Church, 47 Walkover Street, officiated by Pastor Brian Falkenholt. Private interment of ashes will take place at Riverside Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Ethel’s memory to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Foundation, Northern Cancer Research Foundation, the Lutheran Community Care Centre or a charity of choice. Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.

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