What a Difference an "A" Makes

At birth Lois was registered as Lois Hearn: H-E-A-R-N.  That’s the way her father Bob spelt his last name and that’s the the way that Bob Hearn’s older sister Ada spelt her name.  But their younger brother George wrote his name as Hern (without the letter “A”).  Family lore blamed Ada for wanting to rise above her station and for thinking that the “A” made the name appear to be more posh.  While there may be some truth in the story that Ada wanted to be more posh, it also appears that this family simply didn’t have a consistent way of spelling their name.  Here are three examples of how the name was spelled.  The first example is how the census taker spelt the name in 1861 after the family left Devonshire England to settle in Bowmanville, Ontario.  The signature at the top left is how Robert signed his name on a document in 1920.  And finally, here is the explanation for why some signed their name as Hearn and others signed their name as Hern. For many years, according to this affidavit the name had been “indifferently spelt”.  For those of us who are interested in this type of thing, it means that we who spell our name Hearn  can claim a blood relationship with Riley Hern whose name appears in the Stanley Cup.   We are all of the same family.

Lois McEwan 1914 -2014

After a very long and a very happy life, Lois McEwan died at her home on St. George in St. Marys on April 16, 2014. Born on the 29th of March, 1914 Lois was the daughter of Robert Hearn and Mae Rolston whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers in Perth County. Lois’ philosophical acceptance of life’s recurring rhythm of happiness and sadness may be rooted in events which she experienced as a teenager. In the summer of 1932 a chance encounter with Gordon McEwan as they exited a ball game at SS # 4 Downie led to an impulsive request for a date for an open air dance that evening. Lois fell in love with Gordon and that love led to a happiness that remained strong until their deaths. The tragic event which precipitated great sadness occurred several months later. Following a cold and wet ride home in an open democrat from a Farm Women’s meeting Lois’ mother Mae Hearn contracted a severe cold which turned into pneumonia. In the era before penicillin there was little that could be done and when Mae died shortly afterwards she left a family of seven children, two of whom were under the age of four. Lois took over as “mother” and remained in that role until her marriage to Gordon in December 1937. Lois leaves her four children and their spouses: Lou and John Cull, Loiey and (the late) Ken Moir, Bob and (the late Jean) McEwan, and Terry and Linda McEwan. She is also survived by her much loved nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Lois’ brother Vic (Marie) Hearn, her sister Roberta (the late Nelson)  and her step-brother Doug (Sharon) Hearn also survive. In addition to her parents and her step-mother Jean, Lois was predeceased by her brothers Lyle, Kelly, Ivan, Don and her step-brother Jack. Her sister-in-law Kit Hearn survives. Lois McEwan’s overarching quality was her intense love and loyalty to her family – both immediate and extended. Her open-mindedness and her ability to reach out and connect with all types of people were legendary. As a lifelong homemaker, the wife of a rural school teacher, the mother of four children, and a daughter of the Great Depression Lois became an excellent seamstress, a prolific knitter, and she knew how to make the Sunday roast last until Thursday. She loved sports, music and dancing and she was always ready for a “good laugh”. Lois Isabel (Hearn) McEwan – 29 March 1914 to April 16, 2014 – lived a long, generous and contented life. She was able to rise above the hard parts and see the enduring good in the world. She will be missed by her family and friends.