KATHERINE RUSSELL (ADAMS)

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KATHERINE RUSSELL (ADAMS) On Tuesday, May 30, 2006 at Selkirk Hospital with her daughters by her side, Katherine Russell peacefully succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 93. She was predeceased by her husband Henry in 1972; her sisters, Sally and Anne; brothers, Michael, John, Robert and Steven; and son-in-law Tom Jenkins of Selkirk, MB. She is survived by daughters, Pamela Jenkins of Selkirk, MB and Linda (Don) Wright of Ajijic, Mexico and son Wayne (Glenda) Russell of Hillsboro, OR, as well as eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Born in Winnipeg on February 8, 1913, she was a private person regarding her early life. She did share stories of travels to Chicago at the age of 16 where she worked for Macy's and radio station WLS before returning to Winnipeg and working for Ogilvie Oats in the 1930s. On June 20, 1932 she married Henry. They raised their family in Winnipeg's West Kildonan area. When her children were older she worked at Monarch Lumber and Sears. Grandchildren can recall visiting their Fort Garry home on McMaster and their Baylor apartment. After Henry's death, she moved to their cottage at Ponemah where she lived independently for 16 years, chopping wood to feed her stove and cleaning her clothes with a ringer washer until 1988 when she moved back to Winnipeg. While living in apartments in Winnipeg and Selkirk she never lost the dream of owning another home and having her own garden, even during her last few years in Selkirk's Woodlands Court and Betel Home. She loved to spend time at home, knitting for family and charity, reading to fuel her journey of discovery and growing flowers to brighten her home. She showed her love by feeding people whether they were hungry or not, earning a reputation as a food pusher . At Christmas time especially she was famous for her sausage rolls, short bread cookies, bread pudding and fruit cake, and her apple pies were highly treasured. She cherished each visit from her far flung family. One look at her great-grandchildren would light up her face. Her strong independent will and persistently determined can-do approach to life meant that nothing held her back for long. Behind the wheel of her purple Duster and accompanied by the fedora clad mannequin that made her feel less vulnerable, she was unstoppable and impassable on her annual drive to Florida. She survived advanced breast cancer in 1964, and a second mastectomy in 2004. Even after being literally run over by an automobile at the tender age of 91 she was back on her feet in weeks. In spite of several strokes that diminished her ability to converse, she was mobile until her last few months and enjoyed getting out for a walk, whether sanctioned or not, and going for ice cream with visitors. Although she was not an active church or association member, she was a firm believer in tithing and regularly contributed to the many worthy causes associated with her eclectic spiritual beliefs. Those who feel so compelled are invited to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Manitoba chapter. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. Interment will be at Thomson in the Park Cemetery, 1291 McGillivray Blvd., Winnipeg, MB. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 10, 2006