May Cobb

COBB, Mary Elizabeth (“May”)—Passed away at Hamilton General Hospital on May 5, 2022, aged 101 years and three months. Predeceased by her husband, Leonard (2012). Mother of Loraine Fielder of Orangeville, and Russell Cobb of Burlington. Fond grandmother of Danielle Restivo, of Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom, and Simon Fielder of Toronto.


May was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland. During World War II, she joined the civil service, and was transferred to Llandudno, Wales, where she met Leonard at a dance. They were married in 1945, and moved to Oxford, where Loraine and Russell were born. Seeking a better life, the family immigrated to Canada in 1953, and settled first in Hamilton, and then in Burlington, where they resided until 2011.

Leonard had succumbed to the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease, which necessitated a move to Loraine’s home that year.


In the late 1960’s, the family had joined the local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. When May moved to the Orangeville congregation, she became mildly famous at congregation meetings for her clear and expressive readings of the Scriptures, delivered with a lovely Scottish accent.


After a bad fall and hip surgery, May was moved to Baywoods Long Term Care Home in Hamilton in 2016, where she remained until her death. She remained lucid and alert well past her hundredth birthday, and enjoyed the visits of family and friends. She was a lovely and generous lady, and will be greatly missed.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.