Virginia May Courtnage

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VIRGINIA MAY COURTNAGE, NEE REIMER

Virginia May Courtnage, nee Reimer, was born November 25, 1962 to Elvin & Anne Reimer. She passed away peacefully on August 1, 2015.

Gin spent the first week of her life in the St. Boniface Hospital. Upon arriving home she was a quiet baby, fussing very little. In her early years, a love of Jesus was instilled in her and she accepted the Lord at the age of 9. At the age of 17, she was baptized upon confession of her faith and accepted into membership at the Evangelical Fellowship Church. The Bible became a source of inspiration and was read from beginning to end many times.

She grew up an unassuming child, rarely complaining and easy to please. She was always willing to help and had a bright smile for anyone she met. To be a friend to her meant you were a friend for life.

School was a little difficult for her as she had a slight stature and a quiet personality. Reading became a passion and she finished volumes of books. Knitting also kept her busy between books. When winter came, however, she put the books and knitting aside and hockey became a priority. CBC never had a more faithful follower! Gin developed a love for baking with mom and they formed a strong bond, going through many recipes. Morn and Gin also spent many hours teaching Sunday School together, which she enjoyed immensely.

Despite her small frame, Gin had an excellent work ethic and was not afraid to get her hands dirty. To make extra money while in high school, she worked part-time in a chicken barn and also recorded LPs onto cassette for paying customers.

After graduation, to her delight, she found a job at the Steinbach Library. In her, they found a faithful and diligent employee, who rarely took a sick day in her 20 plus years of employment. She knew how to save and in 1990 she had enough money saved to fly to Africa to visit her Uncle Joe and Aunt Olga. It was a trip that provided many fond and lasting memories. She had an uncanny ability to remember birthdays and anniversaries. She faithfully called friends and family yearly to wish them a blessed time on their special day. For her, remembering ones birthday meant you were pretty special in her eyes.

Her innermost desire in life was to find a Christian man and have a life of her own. Many years of Christian dating sites resulted in marriage. It was the happiest day of her life. Though the days were not always happy, she endured quietly and held her head high.

In May of this year, she complained of abdominal pain and was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. During her days in the hospital, she endured as she always had—quiet and uncomplaining. The days were long and at times very uncomfortable. She longed for her heavenly home. On August 1st, Jesus granted her last wish and came to bring her to His home, free of pain and sadness.

We wish to thank all those who showed their genuine love and care in so many ways. We also want to express deep appreciation to the nursing and medical staff at Bethesda Hospital Palliative Care, especially to Amanda, for their loving and constant care.

Virginia is survived by her parents, Elvin and Anne Reimer, brother Larry, his wife Neth, nephew Matt, nieces Ashley and Kya. She will be missed for her unconditional love and for seeing only the best in people.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, August 8, at 2:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, with interment at Blumenort EMC Cemetery. Viewing will be Friday, August 7, at 7:00 p.m., with a devotional at 7:30 p.m., and at the chapel prior to the service.

If friends so desire, donations may be made to Focus on the Family, 19946 - 80 Ave, Langley, BC V2Y 0J8.

Arrangements by
Birchwood Funeral Chapel
1-204-346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030

As published in The Carillon on Aug 04, 2015