Agnes Janet Elizabeth Revington (nee Henry)
January 13, 1925 – March 19, 2020 – in Guelph, Ontario
Agnes was born in Chatham, Ontario on January 13, 1925 to farmer Donald Henry and his schoolteacher wife Katie. Educated in a one room school house, she was accelerated quickly through the grades and entered high school at the precocious age of 11. After graduation, she attended the London (Ontario) Business School, worked several years at the Chatham Township offices, and then took a job in the Dean’s office at Western University in London, Ontario where she met her first husband Hugh Hilborn. Tragically, Hugh developed MS and died only a few years after they wed. Seeking a way to re-make her life, and with the encouragement of her cousin Eileen Parrish, she entered Teacher’s College in London, Ontario, graduated in the top of her class, and started teaching at Lady Beck Public School in London. Shortly after, she met and married newly graduated dentist Harvey in 1956. They spent most of their married life residing at 22 Mayfair Drive in London, Ontario – a house that they had designed themselves. No big fan of country living, she nonetheless supported Harvey’s desire to own and operate a small hobby farm outside of Lucan, Ontario. Agnes and Harvey loved to entertain family, friends, and neighbours and their children Kate and Bill have many fond memories of those parties.
Agnes was an excellent organizer with a lively and curious mind, and an impish sense of humour. Over the years she was very active in the Dental Wives Club, the local Liberal party, the London Canadian Club, and several charities. In later years, she and Harvey lived at the Grosvenor Gate apartments in London where they made even more friends, and in addition to serving on the tenants’ association, Agnes wrote and edited the building newsletter The Gate Post. She also worked for several years at the University Hospital Gift Shop. Faith was a central pillar in her life, and for years she was a stalwart member of Robinson United Church where she served on numerous committees, including the UCW, and the Worship, Christian Education, and Property Committees, and the church anniversary committee.
In 2010, she moved to Guelph, Ontario to be closer to family. In 2016, and of her own volition, she chose to move into the Ellington Retirement Home and was very happy there. The family is grateful to the staff of the Ellington for their loving and tender care of Agnes through her final years.
Agnes valued and promoted the power of education and the experience of travel to broaden and transform lives. She was exceedingly proud that her children and grandchildren pursued post-secondary education and graduate degrees. Kate and Bill have wonderful memories of many family trips to Europe and the UK, and to B.C. to visit “the Western Henrys”. She remained keenly interested in the travel adventures of her children, grandchildren, and step-grandchildren.
Predeceased by husbands Dr. W. Harvey Revington, DDS (2004), and Hugh Hilborn (1952), she is survived by her devoted children Kate Revington (Chris Clark) of Guelph, and Bill Revington (Gwen) of Hanover. She will be sadly missed by grandchildren Caroline Olechowski (Alex), Alison Olechowski, Lilah Olechowski, Nick Revington (Margaret), Cameron Revington, and Peter Revington; and by step-grandchildren Marianne Clark (Sean), Jeremy Clark (Erin), and Madeline Clark (Ryan), and step-great-granddaughter Marilla Clark Stolp. She was anticipating with great joy the birth of Nick and Margaret’s baby in June. Predeceased by brothers Tom, Bill, and Alex Henry, as well as in-laws Joy Henry, Bernice Revington, Audrey and Tom Hepburn, Don and Betty Revington, Norene and Harry McNaughton, Leroy Revington, Fred Revington, Glen Revington, Joe Wilson, and Rose Revington. Survived by in-laws Yvonne Henry, Kathryn Henry, Laverne Revington, Dorothy Revington, Jocelyn Jones, Anne Wilson, and Ron and Carrie Revington. She followed the lives of her many nieces and nephews with great interest; predeceased by her gentle nephew Tom Hepburn, and her beloved niece Frances (Henry) Postowoj. Predeceased by dear friends Charlotte Hawthorne, Catherine Ridley, and Bernice Sweeton; survived by her dear friend Ann Luby.
Special thanks to Dr. Paul Karl, and Dr. Anna Issakoff-Meller for their care over her final years in Guelph. Thank you also to the remarkable nurses, staff and volunteers at Hospice Wellington.
Arrangements handled by Harris Funeral Home of London, Ontario. As per Agnes’s wishes, she has been cremated. Due to the current restrictions on social gatherings, a service will be held at a future date, to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the MS Society or Hospice Wellington would be appreciated.
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant…
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”