ALVA MATILDA COOKE (WATSON)

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ALVA MATILDA COOKE (nee WATSON) Our mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away on Monday, April 3, 2006 after a courageous spirited struggle. She was predeceased by her husband Jack Cooke, her mother and father, Eva and George Watson, dear sister Georgina and her brother Orville as well as her childhood friends Margaret Cameron and Ed Callon,. She leaves a legacy of honesty, integrity, hard work and faith and will be greatly missed by her daughter and her family, Jacqui and Frank McFarlane, granddaughter Melody, grandson Todd and their spouses, David Schleicher and Jennifer McFarlane. She will be sorely missed by her granddaughter Krista (Princess K) and her grandsons, Erich Schleicher and Jack, Samuel and Benjamin McFarlane. Also left to mourn her passing is her faithful sister-in-law Gerry Watson, her niece Donna Morgan and nephew Geordy Watson and their spouses, Jim Morgan and Diane Watson, great-nieces and nephews, Bobby, Shannon and Jeffrey Morgan and Glenna Watson. Her caring, faithful friends, Toby, Terri, Lynn, Daryl and Ron, enriched her life in her last years and we, as her family, are sincerely grateful for their caring and assistance. And our' Linda. We are so thankful that God saw Alva's need and found a person to help us. Your constant presence and friendship has been a blessing for all of us. And what a miracle she was!! From being born on a kitchen table on Heatherington Avenue to a romantic, caring, spirited lady....she came a long way. Her life was lived in Riverview, from Baltimore Road and Riverview school and Kelvin High School to Oakwood Avenue. She was thrilled to be asked to work for the Hudson Bay Company as a credit reporter and assistant to Mr. Walmersly. After her marriage, not being allowed to work, she devoted herself to be the ultimate wife, moving to Kenora and living in a converted garage. When the snow started invading the cracks, she moved herself back to Winnipeg. When Jacqui was born her attention was turned to being the ultimate mother and homemaker. Alva and Jack moved to Oakwood Avenue in 1949 and Alva cooked, sewed, grew a garden, taught her life lessons to anyone who would listen and for the last 40 years devoted her life to caring for her grandmother, her parents, her sister and finally her husband of over 60 years. Her sense of humour was appreciated by all who met her and was probably her only saving grace through this last year of her life. She could always laugh at a good joke or one of her own witty comments. We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to the professionals who have been an amazing presence in our lives these past few months. They have made such a significant difference in her life and our families. Ron and Daryl....how she enjoyed your caring visits and we, your compassionate assistance. We thank and are in awe of the nursing staff of the 5th floor and the 3rd floor of Victoria Hospital for their dedication and loving care in these last days. These are exceptional people. A graveside service on will be held on Saturday, April 22 at 11:00 a.m. in Thomson In the Park Cemetery with Rev. Ron Long officiating. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Victoria General Hospital Foundation, 2340 Pembina Hwy., Winnipeg, MB R3T 2E8 or the Riverview Health Care Centre Foundation, 1 Morley Ave. E., Winnipeg, MB R3L 2P4. THOMSON IN THE PARK FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY 1291 MCGILLIVRAY BLVD. (BETWEEN PEMBINA WAVERLEY) 925-1120 PLEASE BRING A TIN FOR THE BIN HELP US SUPPORT WINNIPEG HARVEST

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 21, 2006