Elsie Mary Usherwood, age 85 passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Goderich, Ontario, as a result of complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Elsie was born on March 30, 1937 in Stepney, England to Eliza Mary and Frank Sydney Hyland. She is predeceased by her brothers Malcolm and John Hyland and survived by sisters Anne Pamela Hyland Voegele and Kate Ellis. Predeceased 39 years by her first husband, Leslie Usherwood, Elsie remarried John Grellette in 1988 and just celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on June 11, 2022. Loving mother of Victoria McDonald (Paul), Bradley Usherwood (Shelley) and Fiona O’Donnell (late husband Jimmy) and step-mother to Matthew and Luke Grellette. Adoring grandmother of Meghan and William McDonald, Sarah and Cameron Usherwood and Seamus and Aiden O’Donnell. Not only did she nurture an amazing family, Elsie and her late husband Les, owned and operated Typsettra, a highly successful and world recognized typsetting and design business. Elsie’s passion for the country and all it had to offer brought her to Brain Manor Farm in 1980 where the family would spend 30 years growing a very successful Equestrian Facility. In 2010, she and John moved to the cottage in Zurich Ontario, where she lived out the rest of her days in a place that was so special to her. Elsie lived life to the fullest and leaves a lasting legacy for many. She will be missed but never forgotten.
Visitation will be held at Haskett Funeral Home, 49 Goshen Street North, ZURICH on Thursday, June 16 from 4 – 6 PM. Registration is required and appreciated. Please click “Register Now” below, to register. Elsie’s Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 73334 Bluewater Highway, Zurich (St. Joseph) on Friday, June 17th at 11 AM. Registration is not required to the attend funeral mass. To honour the colourful life that Elsie led, colourful attire is recommended. Cremation to follow and a private family interment will take place at the St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Joseph at a later date. CWL prayers will be said in the funeral home on Thursday afternoon at 3:45 PM.
For those unable to attend the Funeral Mass, the family invites you to join with them from the comfort of your home. Stream the live service or at your convenience by visiting www.facebook.com/haskettfh. (No login required)
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Blessing Community Store, Zurich, Ontario or South Huron Hospital Foundation.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Iliana Arapis
Dearest Brad and Sarah,
My sincerest condolences to you and your family. Your creativity and zest for life clearly came from your mom / grandmother! Wishing you strength and courage to endure this very sad time, and a life time of memories of this very special lady.
Warmest hugs,
Iliana
Iliana Arapis
Dearest Brad and Sarah,
I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s and grandmother’s passing. My sincerest condolences to both of you and your families at this sad time. Her creativity and zest for life are so evident in you, and I’m sure all whose lives she touched. What an amazing life and legacy.
Hugs to you,
Iliana
Sandra Shep
To the Usherwood/Grelette family
Such sad news and wish I could be with you all today. So many memories!!! Elsie/Nana was a force to be reckoned with and a woman to aspire to. Having been her daughter-in-law for so many years brings comfort during this challenging time for all. I will miss her dearly and am honored and privileged she considered me her daughter and kept in touch all these years. I will have a “martooni” at 5pm for you. Thank you for all you brought to my life.
My deepest condolences to you John/Nuzzo. She is always with you, and I can already hear her calling your name and bringing you tea in bed. You both embraced me into your family and for that I am thankful.
To Victoria, Brad and Fiona. My family from a different time, for many years, but my family always, especially in all regards with the passing of your mom. My thoughts are with you all during this time.
Elsie was a firecracker and a woman I was privileged to be a part of her spark. Much love to you all.
Sandra xoxo
Robert Nurisso
Dear John,
My thoughts are with you today and for all of your extended family at this time.
My deepest condolences.
Cousin Robert
Seanne Patterson
Dear Victoria – my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May your dear Mum’s soul rest in eternal peace. May the wonderful memories and legacy she leaves behind serve to comfort you at this time.
Stephanie Overholt
It was a real pleasure to have known Elsie over the past several years. Her Faith and her passion for life and her family were truly evident during our visits. I will miss her knowledge and humour.
My deepest sympathy John and family.
Stephanie Overholt
Stephanie Cliff
Victoria – so very sorry for the loss of your Mum. Treasure the wonderful memories of the amazing times you had together & am sure her zest for life & fun loving spirit, will always be with you.
Thinking of you, & all your family, at this very difficult time. Sending much love.
Stephanie
Ross Wood
Brad and family, our thoughts are with you and your family. I had the good fortune of meeting and talking with your Mother a number of times when I came to Brain Manor. She was a delightful and gracious lady and clearly a wonderful mother.
Ross and Janet Wood
Jasmeen Sidhu
Victoria, I am so sorry for your loss. Much love to you and your family; my thoughts and heart go out to you during this difficult time.
Mike Mann
Victoria & Family – I’m so very sorry for your loss. Sending you healing thoughts and comfort during this difficult time.
M
Natalie Kiesz
John, Victoria, Brad & Fiona,
We are so sad to hear the news of Auntie Elsie’s passing.
We know that her zest for life will live on in your hearts.
Although we are not able to attend the service, we look forward to streaming.
We are keeping you all in thought & prayer.
Much love, Natalie & Darrel
Nicky Epp
So many fun memories with Mrs. Usherwood and John for me – from riding April at Brain Manor to enjoying a saddle cup before field hunting with Carmel to enjoying time by the pool together in Port Charlotte. She was one of my Mom’s best friends, there for her always. We will miss you. Thoughts are with you all. Xox. Nicky and Jake Epp
Mark Tucker
Hi John, we are very saddened to hear of Elsi’s passing and convey our sincere condolences to you and your extended family. A Beautiful Soul, Elsi has left but will not be forgotten. Cherish all the beautiful memories in your heart.
God Bless, Dianne & Mark Tucker 🙏
Fran
Auntie Elsie, we will always remember you and the great times we had with you and John when we came to visit Canada in 2000. Thank you for your zest for life, your Hyland humour and for introducing us to “Martoony time”!
Say hello to dad ( Malcolm) mum(Monica) and Claire for us. Enjoy the sundowners in heaven. So BBCsorry we won’t get able to attend the funeral but will steam it. Graham Fran and family xxx
Rob Hyland
Jon and all the family
I am so sorry to hear the news, Elise touched all our lives in such a positive way.
She will be missed.
You are in the thoughts of all the family in the UK.
Much love Rob, Cath, Fran, Anna and Phil
Lisa & Tony Hartsink
Victoria, Brad and family. So sorry for your loss. Sending our deepest sympathies on the loss of your mother.
Love and hugs
Lisa and Tony
Christa Ihrig
In Sympathy and Friendship:
Our deepest condolences to you, John, and your family.
If only there were something that friends could do or say to help and ease your pain.
But please know that our hearts and thoughts are with you at this time, and that we will treasure the wonderful times we could share forever.
A life well lived leaves a beautiful bouquet of memories
Sending love to all of you
Christa Ihrig & Family
Hessenland Inn
Peter and Debra Stoeckl
It was such a pleasure having know Elsie for many years.Her extreme love of life and her family were qualities to be admired.God bless and may she rest in well deserved peace..
Mike and Herminia Henderson.
Brad, so sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. She was a lovely woman. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Mike and Herminia.
Susan Schlacht
So sorry to hear of Elsie’s passing! I loved having her come into my office at Sound Therapy and listening to her great stories! She was a great woman and will be missed. My condolences to you and the family!
Sarah Kennedy-Hall
Victoria, my deepest condolences on the loss of your Mum. Sending love to you and your family.
Diane Ellyatt
Janice& Glenn and family so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing, hugs Janice, my thoughts are with yous.
Albert Macchiusi
Brad, Fiona, Victoria, John, and the rest of the extended family. Please accept the sincerest condolences from Albert Macchiusi and family. I spent 15 years with you guys and it was the best 15 years of my life. Working very close with Les and Elsie on the font business side was an experience I will always cherish. I have many artefacts to keep those memories alive. Elsie sent me a card and “newsletter” every Christmas for many years after Typsettra and always welcomed the ‘news’.
Their legacy and that of Typsettra will be preserved on the Canadian Typography Archives website, now under construction, I’m involved with the build.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Albert Macchiusi and Family.
john rodrigues
My deepest condolences to John, Brad, Vicki, Fiona, and all the family.
john rodrigues
wendy seed
Brad, it’s easy to see where you get your creative chops from!! Sounds like Elsie led a full, happy life and touched the lives of many positively. As has already been said, she will be missed but never forgotten.
Big hugs to you and your family
Wendy
Nikki Roy (Mossop)
My deepest condolences to John, Brad, Vicki, Fiona, and all the family. I have many very happy memories of Elsie and her love of life. She was a one of a kind lady. Elsie will be deeply missed for sure!
Robert Kurt Jilek
Loving Beautiful Smiling Elsie my thoughts of you always and forever!
Both you and John opened your home and hearts to me.
A Gift I will always Cherish.
Love Bob & Nancy
Mike & Judy
Dear John. Sorry to hear about Elsie. She lived a good live and had lots of stories to tell. Our deepest condolences to all. Mike & Judy Harris
Elaine Ducharme
We enjoyed many great discussions with Elsie. She was willing to talk politics, religion, the Queen or any other subject that came up. She was a great lady and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
George and Elaine Ducharme
Elaine Clarke
Dear John
I’m so sorry to hear of Elsie passing. She was such a lovely lady. I am so happy I got the pleasure to meet her. Treasure all those wonderful memories
Hugs
Elaine