Macaroni Casserole

This Historic Recipe, Macaroni Casserole by Sherri Whiting Hext, comes to us from “Cooking Favourites from U.C.W – St. Paul’s United Church U.C.W."

Sherril "Sherri" Lynn Whiting was actually born as Helen Jean Durst on March 27,1935. She was adopted by Clifton and Rossie (Douglas) Whiting who gave her her new name.

Sadly, when Sherri was just six years old, her mom Rossie passed away on September 15, 1941.

On July 10, 1943 Clifton got remarried to a nurse named Grace Alexander Patterson. Grace took Sherri in as her own and adopted her.

Clifton and Grace gave Sherri a brother on December 12, 1946 and named him Clifford Walter Whiting, however he sadly passed away on November 11, 1949.

Sherri met George Edward Hext and they wed on July 14, 1956. Together they had two children, a son and a daughter, who blessed them with four granddaughters.

Sherri had a long and rewarding career as a Kindergarten teacher in Petrolia at both Queen Elizabeth II Public School and then St. Philips Catholic School. She loved hearing from her past students, learning about their lives, and claimed that she remembered every child she ever taught.

Sherri had a passion for learning and, in the 1980’s while still teaching full time, she completed her Bachelor of Religious Studies followed by her Master of Religious Studies from the University of Western Ontario. Sherri retired from teaching 1990 at the age of 55.

Sherri was an independent woman who advocated for social justice for all people. She was active in her teachers Union attending the Ontario Federation of Labour Convention. She was active in Retired Teachers’ Committees. When there was talk to close C.E.E. Hospital in Petrolia Sherri was vocal and active about keeping it open.

She was also a member of the Red Hat Society and loved the theatre, supporting both the Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia and the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario. Sherri enjoyed writing and became a member of the Ontario Poetry Society.

Sherri’s parents told her that she was an intelligent, loving and caring girl and these qualities remanded with her throughout life. She was a well-known and respected person in the community.

Sherri passed away on September 27, 2025 and was laid to rest in Hillsdale Cemetery in Petrolia beside her husband George who predeceased her on April 10, 2003.

Instructions

Brown hamburger and onions in fat. Add tomatoes and water. Stir in macaroni (uncooked), add pepper and salt and seasoning. This is top of the stove casserole.