Well-known and respected teacher, artist and author Wanita Hollands has died at the age of 92. Wanita Hollands (née Wardell) of RVilla in Ripley, and formerly of Walkerton and Kincardine, died with family by her side, at the South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Kincardine, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in her 93rd year. Beloved wife of the late Howard Hollands, Irwin Fletcher and Albert Kitchen. Dear mother of Dale Hollands (Colleen Kimberley) of Elmvale, and Koleen Garland (Ron) of RR, 4 Ripley. Missed by her grandchildren, Tim Hollands (Christina), Jennette Cole (James), Christopher Garland (Tara), and Scott Garland (Shilo); and great-grandchildren, Briannah, Aislyn, Faith, Hope, Ali, Matthew, Gavin, and Adalyn. Fondly remembered by several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, Frederick and Agnes (née Ruttle) Wardell; brother, William Wardell; sister, Jean Mitchell (Lloyd); and grandson, Andy Hollands. Wanita began her teaching career at several small one-room schools, mostly in Kincardine Township. She was the principal at the Tiverton three-room school before it was amalgamated into the new Kincardine Township-Tiverton Public School. She taught art and mathematics at KTTPS, and created “tough love.” Discipline was never a problem in her classroom because she loved all her “kids.” She enjoyed instilling creativity in her art students and had them making pottery with the use of a kiln. A talented artist, she was best-known for her renditions of the Kincardine Lighthouse, the old town hall (now the Kincardine Arts Centre), the Kincardine Library, and the Anglican Church of the Messiah. Extremely gifted at creativity, she also made thousands of greeting cards. Music was important to her and she loved dancing, gardening and quilting. Wanita wrote the “Do You Remember” articles in the Kincardine Independent for years, and compiled them in a book for people to enjoy the history of Kincardine. She also edited the Kincardine Township history book, “Toil, Tears and Triumph,” for which she won a Lescarbot Government of Canada Award. She was a generation ahead of her time, believing in the rights of women, and when she decided to do something, she was focused and did it to perfection. She had an inspirational work ethic. Wanita enjoyed travelling and was interested in genealogy. She had traced her own ancestry back several generations, and enjoyed helping others trace their family histories. Visitation is at the Davey-Linklater Funeral Home, Kincardine, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., where the funeral to celebrate Wanita’s life will be held Thursday, March 2, 2017, at 11 a.m. Interment, Kincardine Cemetery. Memorial donations to First St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Hanover; RVilla Activity Fund; or the Heart and Stroke Foundation, would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. |
