WANDA GERTRUDE HOPE (DENNIS)

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WANDA GERTRUDE HOPE (nee DENNIS) Wanda Gertrude Hope (nee Dennis) died peacefully at a local nursing home on March 3, 2008 at the age of 91 years. Wanda was predeceased in 1985 by Bertie, her husband of 37 years, a sister and a daughter who died as infants, and her brother Keith in 2003. She leaves to mourn her daughter Marsha of Courtenay, BC and her sons Eric and David of Winnipeg, MB. She also leaves behind her daughter-in-law Cindy; grandchildren Emily, Steven, Victoria and Cameron; sister Celie of Tyne Valley, PE; and brothers Erwin of Ellerslie, PE, Reagh of Halifax, NS, Arnett of Rapid City, SD, Clare of Port Dover, ON, and Edgar of Port Hill, PE. Wanda was born on a farm in Arlington, PE, on May 4, 1916, the first child of William J. Dennis and Ada Ruth Dennis (nee Gorrill). In 1931 the family moved to a farm in Port Hill, PE. In the fall of 1932 she entered Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown. During the 1930s she spent three years teaching in one-room schools in rural Prince County, PE. When the Second World War began, Wanda joined the Federal civil service in Ottawa, ON. She resigned that position in 1944 to enlist in the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRENS). She served as a clerk at HMCS York in Toronto, then at HMCS Chippawa in Winnipeg, and finally at HMCS Cartier in Montreal. After her discharge from the service in 1946, Wanda worked for British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) at its Canadian terminal in Montreal. There she met her future husband, Bertie, known to his friends as Bob . He was an RAF veteran and aircraft mechanic, newly arrived in Canada for what he thought was to be a two-year stint in the colonies. She wed Bertie in 1947, and started family life in Montreal. The family moved to Edmonton, AB in 1967, and moved again in 1970 to Winnipeg, MB. Wanda lived out her remaining years in Winnipeg where she enjoyed gardening and photography. She was an avid reader who was particularly interested in history and politics. Wanda was a member and past president (1983-85) of the Winnipeg Ex-WRENS Association. She took great pride in her achievements and the friends she made in the WRENS. Wanda's family would like to thank the staff at Extendicare Oakview Place for making her as comfortable as possible in her final years. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Alzheimer Society would be appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 08, 2008