Obituaries

Passed away peacefully at the St. Boniface Hospital on Sunday, February 11, 2018. Loving wife to Terry and mother to sons Martin, Michael (Pat), Stephen (Rob) and Kevin (Kyle) and her grandchildren Reid (Karla), Blair, Trent, Jenelle and Sigga.

Born Christmas Day, 1930, Mom would often tell the story of how her dear mother Alice had Christmas dinner prepared before she left for the hospital to bring our mother into this world.

Growing up the youngest of 4, and the only girl, made for quite an upbringing in that apartment above the bakery on Taché in St Boniface where they initially lived. She spoke often of her parents and of her siblings Martin, John and Patrick (Gerald), all of whom predeceased her, and was proud of their achievements in life.

She met the love of her life Terry on the train to Minaki and they married in 1957, 60 years ago. Two of the attendants at their wedding were their closest friends Joan and John Harris, with whom they shared a lifetime of experiences which included family time (and “Quiet Time”) at Minaki, annual Canada Day celebrations and Christmas brunches, travel to Europe, Hawaii and beyond, and, of course, an incalculable number of games of bridge, drinks and laughs along the way.

In their early years of marriage, while Dad was in the Air Force, Mom and Dad lived in Cold Lake, Alberta and subsequently, North Bay, Ontario, where their first two sons were born. They returned to Winnipeg in 1961 to take up residence on Oxford Street where they lived for 27 years. Being the only woman living with 5 males did not prove enough of a challenge for Mom; almost immediately, Dad’s father, “Grampy”, recently widowed, took up residence with us on Oxford Street as well. Although it was initially anticipated that his stay would be brief, Mom spent more than 15 years caring for the 6 of us until we ultimately lost Grampy.

Mom loved to cook and was an impeccable cook. The boys’ favourite Sunday dinner consisted of roast beef, yorkshire pudding and mashed potatoes, with turnip and brussel sprouts thrown in for good measure. We loved it almost every week; our cardiologists now, not so much. She also knitted, collected stamps, played bridge in the women’s Bridge Club and was an accomplished driving “instructor”. We say “instructor” because, despite lessons (from Dad, professional instructors and subsequently some of her children), owning a car, and maybe even an attempt or two, she was never able to obtain her driver’s license. Nonetheless, as we took turns chauffeuring her around, she was always able to offer us the sagest of advice as to what we were doing wrong or needed to improve as it related to our own driving skills.

Mom had a great memory for people, names, places, facts and figures. Many a crossword was completed on the front porch at the cottage, with family and friends, with the successful completion of the Sunday New York Times crossword being the ultimate weekend accomplishment. Even in her later years she was the first we would look to when in search of a name, place, or timing of some event, and of course she would always be correct. Mom had excellent hearing and an innate curiosity for all that was going on in others’ lives, so much so that we nicknamed her “the Nose”. She was quick-witted, entertaining, and highly sociable, and was truly interested in people and their stories. Organizing gatherings of friend and family came naturally to her, and she did it often.

Extended family was big to Mom, and her definition of family was broad. She had close relationships with her aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, and treasured contact with each of them. Mom had particularly close relationships with many members of the Lyons, Jackman, Broughton, Cariou and Harris families. They all held a special place in her heart.

Mom met another of her closest friends, our “Aunty Chicken”, when she began her working career at Investors Syndicate. As a family we spent lots of time with Chicken and her son Tom, particularly when they moved down the street from us on Oxford, and Mom missed Chicken terribly when she passed away. Mom’s other close friend, Barbara Granger, was the third member of the Oxford triumvirate. Barb and Mom spent lots of time together; lunching, socializing, doing jigsaw puzzles, walking and just generally trying to get fit. Barb and her son Martin were also frequent visitors at the family cottage in Minaki, as were most, if not all, of Mom’s friends.

After raising her family, Mom returned to the workforce as a volunteer at the Manitoba School for The Deaf, assisting with their Pre-school program, and at Crane Towing where she spent many years as their office manager, call taker and bookkeeper. She truly enjoyed the time she spent and the connections she made within these organizations.

After retirement, she embarked on a new phase of her life with Dad on River Road. She spent her time at home, at the lake and traveling (Portugal being a favourite destination); but her key focus was always her grandchildren whom she loved and adored like no other could. Whether it be bouncing her grandchildren on her foot to “gee up neddy”, playing with them, babysitting, watching them decorate her Christmas tree, or visiting with them as they got older, she cherished the time that she spent with each of them and was incredibly proud of them all.

Eventually, Mom and Dad moved to the Canoe Club, and Mom enjoyed the new friendships and memories she experienced there. Mom was especially fond of Bill and of their “Happy Hours” with Dad on Fridays.

The last few years were not ideal for Mom. Her move to River Park Gardens was not the pinnacle of her life, but her health required it. There were still many good times with family and friends, but less frequently than before. The family is grateful for the care that she received there.

Her final weekend was spent at St. Boniface Hospital, just down the street from where she spent the early years of her life. Enough cannot be said for the kind care that she received at the hands of the staff in Emergency, the 5E medical staff, but in particular the care and compassion provided by Judy, Heidi and Elisabeth. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being there with us for Mom. It meant the world to us and helped us make it through a difficult time.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Mom’s life will be held at a later date.

Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire, donations in her name can be made to the St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation or Diabetes Canada.

Mom is no longer with us, but her energy will live on with all of us who were so fortunate to have had her in our lives. As we listen to others, share stories and laughs, and express a true interest in other’s views and what is important in their lives, we will pay a deserved tribute to all that she was.

Goodbye Mom, Rest in Peace, We All Love You.