MYRTLE ARVILLA (ANDERSON) WELLS

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MYRTLE ARVILLA (ANDERSON) WELLS On Thursday, January 19, 2006, in her 103rd year, Myrtle Arvilla (Anderson) Wells passed away peacefully at Oakview Place, her home for the past ten years. She was the beloved wife of the late Charles H. Wells; dearly loved mother of Diana (Fred) Zeggil, Richard, Joan (Lord) Beaudin, and Nancy (Alex Ross); loved sister of the late Beryl Drennan, Dorothy Aiken, and Cameron Anderson and fondly remembered by her niece, nephews, and her nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Myrtle was born in Virden, MB, in 1903, the eldest daughter of Fred and Ethel (Cameron) Anderson. Her birthplace was not far from the properties homesteaded by her mother's Cameron family in 1882. As a consequence of her father's employment with the CPR, her parents changed residences many times during her childhood until at last settling into a rambling house with a large garden on Roblin Boulevard in Charleswood, MB. In 1928, Myrtle married Charles Wells, who had emigrated with his parents from London, England in 1905. After a honeymoon in New York City, they soon bought a house in East Kildonan, and began raising a family of four during difficult economic times. Myrtle was a devoted wife and mother, supporting her family with loving and gentle firmness, and attending to their well-being in many practical ways, by sewing their clothes and household furnishings, and by growing and preserving food. The family attended St. Stephen's Anglican Church, where Myrtle was an active member of the Women's Auxiliary. After a move to St. James in 1967, she attended St. Andrew's Church, Woodhaven. Later, she and Charlie discovered the joys of camping and nature, and travelled widely, pulling their trailer in both Canada and the United States, to see the country and to visit with various relatives and friends. After the loss of her brother, Cameron in the Second World War, and remembering the death of her uncle in the First World War, Myrtle became a dedicated supporter of the Peace Movement. As one of the founding members of Voice of Women (VOW) in Manitoba, she actively participated in peace vigils, marches, anti-nuclear protests, letter writing campaigns and various activities, such as the knitting project for Vietnamese women and children, and fund-raising by the sale of handmade jewellery she and Charlie produced from their hobby of rock-hunting. Myrtle was a faithful attendee for many years at the Winnipeg VOW annual Mother's Day silent vigils, and regularly sent her own anti-war poems and letters to Winnipeg newspapers where they were often published. Her papers and memorabilia from these activities have been collected and preserved by the Public Archives of Manitoba. She promoted and encouraged children's health and well-being by supporting various children's charities and activities. For many years she organized the Waugh Shield garden competitions in Winnipeg schools, which were a happy introduction for many children to the joys and responsibilities of gardening. Among her favourite activities in later years were quilting, crocheting and knitting, which resulted in welcome gifts for friends and family. She kept up a regular correspondence with far-flung family members who were welcomed with warmth and kindness whenever they could visit. Her family will remember her as a kind and generous mother, and grandmother always ready to listen and to help, with gentle suggestions, but never criticism. She welcomed each baby with hand-knit sweaters, buntings, afghans, and cuddly toys and never forgot a birthday. At Myrtle's request, cremation has taken place, and a service will be held at a later date. The family extends its sincere thanks to the staff of 3rd floor Oakview Place who have provided such kind and dedicated care over the past ten years. Flowers are gratefully declined. If desired, memorial donations may be made to UNICEF, or the Red Cross. Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. The Prayer of St.Francis NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 21, 2006