LOUISE CHRISTINE BENNETT (JONASSON)

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LOUISE CHRISTINE BENNETT (nee JONASSON) Louise Christine Bennett (nee Jonasson) died peacefully, Friday, March 3, 2006 at Lion's Gate Hospital, North Vancouver, in her 81st year. Born into an Icelandic-Canadian family in 1925 at Winnipegosis, MB, Louise was the youngest of three daughters born to Gudmundur and Kristin Jonasson. Louise remained proud of, and connected to her Icelandic heritage throughout her life. She moved with her parents to Winnipeg, where she was educated and graduated from Kelvin High School. Determined to follow a career in nursing, she trained at Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing. There she became known to her colleagues in the Class of 1947 as the lady that's known as Lou . The qualities of compassion and care for others that had led her into a nursing career remained with her throughout her life. In 1949 she married Donald Bennett, whom she had met at a Halloween nurses' dance at war's end in 1945, and moved with him to Toronto. She moved again and again following Don's work in the CBC, to Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, London and Winnipeg. In 1986 they moved to Vancouver in retirement. Louise was a keen observer of nature and enjoyed experimenting with watercolours, especially in the Gatineau Hills north of Ottawa. There she also enjoyed trail skiing with her family, which included her daughter, Christine, and her two sons, Alan and Peter. She excelled at hooking rugs and enjoyed hours searching for suitable fabric and colours in company with friends who were also hooked on hooking rugs. With many of these same friends, she delighted in visiting local auction sales in the Ottawa Valley, where strange treasures could be found. Louise was an accomplished pianist, sharing her love of music with her family and ensuring her children all learned to play the piano. Louise enjoyed travel, in Canada and abroad. Motor trips with the family through Northern Ontario to the Prairies, or east to the Maritimes or New England, were common. From Winnipeg there were trips to Florida, Arizona and British Columbia. Abroad there were visits to Hawaii, Australia, South East Asia, India, North Africa and Europe. She shared with her children and grandchildren her interest in art and archaeology and in museums and ancient sites in Italy, Greece and Egypt. Louise will be remembered for her compassion and love of life, her patience and devotion to her family and her tender and loving ways. She will forever be known by her beloved granddaughters as Gramma Sweetheart , always wishing that everyone should have a nice time . She will never be forgotten and always be missed by those who love her. Surviving to mourn the loss of a wonderful partner, a loving mother and grandmother, are her husband, Donald; her sons, Alan (Nanette) and Peter (Deborah) and daughter Christine Long (Peter); granddaughters, Tamara, Corinne and Sydney; grandsons, Adam and Kyle. Also surviving are Louise's sister, Sylvia Allen Ross (Dave) of Winnipeg; brother-in-law Douglas Maxwell (Beverley) and Don's brother, Howard (Marjorie) and twin sisters, Ellen Derksen (Walter) and Joanne Jones (Dennis). A much loved sister, Salina (Sally Maxwell) predeceased her in 1988. A memorial service will be held at St. Stephen's United Church, 7025 Granville St., Vancouver on Sunday afternoon, March 12 at 3:00 p.m. Following Louise's wishes, she has been cremated. In lieu of flowers, friends may wish to contribute to the Alzheimer's Society, or to a charity of their choice. The family wishes to thank the staff of Hollyburn House in West Vancouver, and the doctors and nurses of Lion's Gate Hospital for their dedicated care to our loving partner, mother and grandmother, Louise. We also wish to thank Dr. Bruce Noble and his colleagues at the Seymour Medical Clinic for their care over more than 15 years. HOLLYBURN FUNERAL HOME (604) 922-1221 www.hollyburnfunerals.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 11, 2006