Our Services

We are very fortunate to have a large number of individuals to aid us at the funeral home. Non-licensed staff simply means that they do not hold an Ontario Funeral Directors License. As such they are limited to the professional duties that they can perform. However, their biggest assets are their inter-personal skills and the familiar face that is so meaningful to families and visiting friends.

Paul Monaghan, General Manager Email: paul@dartefuneralhome.com Paul joined the George Darte team in April of 2004.  He brings with him over 20 years of management experience.  Paul is pleased to be part of the George Darte Funeral Chapel staff and is excited about collectively meeting and solving the challenges of a busy funeral home.  Paul is active in the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South. Previously he held several positions in the Niagara Falls Rotary Sunrise club including: Past President, Foundation President and is a former President of Scouts Canada - Niagara District Council.  Paul and his wife Janet have three grown children and three grandchildren.

Sally Leach, Executive Assistant Sally was born in St. Catharines and began working at the George Darte Funeral Chapel in 1986. She is office coordinator and a facilitator for the Grief Recovery Outreach Program. Sally has been actively involved with the Bereavement Resource Council of Niagara since 1987 and is currently serving as the Immediate Past Chairperson, and Secretary, is a member of the Bereavement Ontario Network and also the Member Communications Coordinator of Garden City, St.Catharines Branch 63 of the Foresters.

Elizabeth Williams, Office Supervisor Email: elizabeth@dartefuneralhome.com Elizabeth has been a lifelong resident of St. Catharines, until her recent move to Niagara-On-The-Lake. She began working for the George Darte Funeral Chapel in 1991 as a receptionist and Grief Recovery Facilitator. She is a member of Memorial United Church, and is a Christian Education Committee Member for the Memorial United Church. Elizabeth is also an Executive Board Member with the Niagara-On-The-Lake Figure Skating Club and is also a Committee Member with the Niagara-On-The-Lake Synchronized Skating Team.

Tracey Halliwell, Financial Administrator Email: tracey@dartefuneralhome.com Tracey joined the Darte team in May of 2003 as the Accounting Manager. She is a lifelong resident of St. Catharines with over 28 years of accounting experience. Tracey is currently the Past President of St. Catharines Jr. A Athletics Lacrosse and a past volunteer for the St. Catharines Minor Lacrosse Association serving as Treasurer, Vice President, and Director. Tracey is the proud mother of Joel, Jake and Emily.

Janet Lovsin, Greeter/Hostess/Receptionist Janet moved from Hamilton to the Niagara Region in the early 1980's and began her employment with the funeral home in the fall of 1989 as a receptionist. She enjoys the rewards of being with the families during the evening hours and believes that working at the funeral home has helped her to personally grow. Janet's spare time is devoted to canvassing for various charities, taking care of the farm and enjoys the friendships of her sorority, Beat Sigma Phi and the functions associated with it since 1983.

Nancy Grodesky, Receptionist/Greeter Nancy is a lifetime resident of St.Catharines.  She is a former Catholic school trustee and a volunteer with the St. Catharines Branch Canadian Cancer Society.  An active member of St. Alfred's Church and past President of the Catholic Womens League. Nancy and her husband Bill have 2 children, and 2 grandchildren.  Nancy is also an active member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.

Terri Lake, Greeter/Hostess/Receptionist Terri started working at the George Darte Funeral Chapel in March 2004 as a greeter/hostess.  She now takes great pride in her position as a receptionist.  She has lived in St. Catharines her entire life.  She is a member of the Foresters and has held many executive positions since 1980 and is currently the past president of the local branch in St. Catharines.  Terri spends a lot of her Forester time planning member involvement events and fundraising for local charities such as the Niagara Peninsula Children’s Centre and Kid’s Help Phone.  Terri’s main focus in life is her family, her husband George, her children and especially her 5 grandchildren.

Ray Librock, Funeral Director's Associate Ray is a lifetime resident of St.Catharines. A former steel industry employee with over 32 years experience. Ray recently joined the George Darte Funeral Home team in July 2007 as a funeral director's assistant. He and his wife, Louise, have four children; three daughters and a son. Ray is actively involved with the Knights of Columbus and presently holds the positions of Past Grand Knight and District Warden. He is a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church, supporter of the Rhythmic Waves Gymnastics Club and a member of the slo pitch baseball league.

David Gilmore, Greeter/Host/Limo Driver David joined the George Darte Funeral home in November 2007 as driver and has added greeting and hosting as part of his duties. Dave returned to St. Catharines in 1995 and is an active member of St. Julia Church as a reader and co-ordinator for the Marriage Preparation Course, along with his wife Libby. He also volunteers one morning a month at St. George’s Church breakfast program. He has two children who live and work in Toronto. He is a member of the Bridge Centre of Niagara and an avid golfer during the summer.

Cindy Turner, Graphic Artist Email: cindy@dartefuneralhome.com Cindy joined the George Darte Funeral Home in January 2008 as their first Graphic Artist shortly after graduating at the top of her class for Graphic Design Production. She is an auxiliary member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Catharines' branch. When she is not at the funeral home, she can be found spending most of her time with her family, especially her baby daughter Vrillanne and husband Nathan. Cindy enjoys spending her days outdoors hiking in the Niagara Gorge or running along the Parkway in Niagara Falls where she now lives.

Carl MacCulloch, Limo Driver Carl was born, raised and educated in Nova Scotia. He moved to St. Catharines late in 1963, living with relatives while working in Toronto at the Canadian National Railways. He joined Bell Canada the following spring of 1964, working mostly in Niagara for 32 years. Retired from the Access Network Department in 1996. He is married to Heather, two daughters Colleen and Kelli. He spends considerable time on the Royal Henley Rowing Course as a masters athlete, coach and member of the Board of Directors of the St. Catharines Rowing Club. He joined the George Darte Funeral Chapel late in 2008 as a part time limousine driver.

Cathie Cretney, Greeter/Hostess After being in retail for 14 years, Cathie joined the George Darte Funeral Chapel team in 2007 as a greeter. She has recently taken on a hostess position as well. Cathie attends Brockview Bible Chapel along with her husband, Bob. They have three married children and eight grandchildren all living in the Niagara region. Bob and Cathie serve as chaplains at Lookout Ridge Retirement Home in Fonthill. Cathie is a founding member and past president of the St. Catharines Chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association. She also volunteered in different areas of the St. Catharines General Hospital for many years. In her leisure time, Cathie enjoys playing the piano and spending time with her grandchildren.

Clifford Booker, Driver After his retirement, Clifford began working part-time for George Darte Funeral Chapel in September of 1991 as a coach and limousine driver, and pallbearer. Clifford has also been a volunteer for Meals on Wheels in Thorold and St. Catharines since August of 1991. Clifford also enjoys doing volunteer work, helping seniors, as well as working with the public. He also belongs to St. Julia Roman Catholic Church and has been an usher there since 1967.

Judy Marchalewicz, Greeter Judy joined the George Darte Funeral Chapel team in August of 2009 as a greeter.  Judy recently graduated from the Bereavement Support Program at Mohawk College.  Judy was raised in the Niagara Peninsula and now resides in Grassie with her spouse, Chris, and their two dogs.  In her spare time, she enjoys all types of sports and is currently on a mixed volleyball league.  Compassion, quality of service and professionalism are major components of Judy's commitment to the families.

Amber Doede, Receptionist/Financial Administrator Assistant Amber is glad to have joined the compassionate and welcoming team here at George Darte Funeral Chapel in October 2009.  After attending McMaster she moved back to her hometown of St. Catharines where she enjoys spending lots of time with her family and friends. She also currently works for a local family physician. She is a devoted animal lover, especially her two cats, and also enjoys music and movies.

Marilyn Rothwell, Greeter/Hostess

Sarah Gillis, Funeral Director Intern Email: sarah@dartefuneralhome.com Sarah, a Nova Scotia Native, furthered her studies in Biology at Memorial University of Newfoundland before coming to Ontario in 2010 to enter into funeral services. When not at work, Sarah can be found listening to music, going to the movies and shopping.

Kayleigh Peterson, Funeral Director Intern Email: kayleigh@dartefuneralhome.com After graduating with an honours degree in psychology at Brock University, Kayleigh went on to pursue studies at Humber College to become a Funeral Director. She recently moved back to her hometown of Welland as she completes her internship here at the George Darte Funeral Chapel. When she is not here at the funeral home, Kayleigh can be found spending time with her family and friends.