MRS. CHRISTINE (TENA) MARY TYLER (MACKENZIE)

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MRS. CHRISTINE (TENA) MARY TYLER (nee MACKENZIE) Mrs. Tyler was admitted to the Health Sciences Centre on August 3, 2005. With grit and determination, she was ready to be discharged home about a month later. With a strong desire to return home but her home care still not in place after about four weeks, and without an accounting for the long delay, she became disheartened and very distressed. Soon thereafter she suffered a heart attack with subsequent heart failure. Later informed by physicians they were unable to intervene to restore her health, Christine's family brought her home from the hospital on October 27, 2005. With her family at her side, along with the spiritual presence of Majors Gordon and Violet Grice, she met the Lord and Saviour on Monday, October 31, 2005. Christine was born on March 22, 1915 of Scottish-born parents, John and Mary MacKenzie. Although born in Winnipeg, five of her siblings were born in Scotland. As an infant, she moved with her family to the railway siding of Ekart, MB and later attended Grassemere School, then Warren and Stonewall High Schools. Following high school, she graduated from Winnipeg Normal School. Her first teaching appointment was at Stogell School, a one room school house near Woodlands, MB, where she remained for three years. In 1940 she married Samuel Tyler of Grosse Isle, MB. After teaching in Grosse Isle for four years, she left to follow her husband's passion in the cinema business, first in Hartney, then Shoal Lake and finally Stonewall, where they built, owned and operated the Rivoli Cinema for 14 years, until her husband's sudden and untimely death in 1964. Although Christine also taught in Hartney, it was in Stonewall where she spent the majority of her teaching years. After retiring in 1975, she continued to substitute until 1980. After 30 years in Stonewall and raising two sons, Herb and Randy, Christine moved to Winnipeg in 1980. Retirement allowed her to travel throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. Although a massive stroke left her confined to a wheelchair in 1995, it did not dampen her spirit, determination and zest for living. Besides her husband, she was also predeceased by her parents, John and Mary MacKenzie; five brothers, Evan, Bill, John, Alex, Bert and one elder sister Beth; two brothers-in-law, Tom and Herb Tyler and sister-in-law Jean MacKenzie. She is survived by one sister Bettie Ridgeway of Stonewall; two loving sons, Herb (Catheryne) of Ottawa and Randy (Bev) of Winnipeg; two granddaughters, Ashley and Jacqueline Tyler of Calgary; two sisters-in-law, Esther Lanthier of Stonewall and Florence MacKenzie of Winnipeg as well as several nieces, nephews and many loving friends. Christine will be fondly remembered as a loving, selfless, wise, witty and understanding mother, grandmother and friend who demonstrated remarkable resilience, determination, grit and faith in facing life's challenges head on. Special thanks to friends Ruth, Doreen, Colleen, Gordon, Kay, Lucille, Ross and Violet for enriching her life. Donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Stonewall United Church, Golden West Lodge or Sturgeon Creek United Church. Condolences can be e-mailed to pb218911@mts.net. A private funeral service with interment at Grassemere Cemetery was held along with a public celebration of her life on November 4. There is a home not made by Hands Beyond it's Golden Door Awaits the one who is now away Not lost, just gone before And in that home not made by hands, The master will prepare A place for you, and when he calls You will meet the loved one there. May you rest in eternal peace and bliss.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 05, 2005