KATHLEEN MURIEL DERHAM (DAFOE)

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KATHLEEN MURIEL DERHAM (nee DAFOE) Muriel died at the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg on October 12, 2006 after a two year struggle with declining health. Muriel was born on the Prairie (current site of the Garden City Shopping Centre) on December 29, 1915. She was the daughter of Isaiah W. and Kathleen Dafoe and sister of the late Errick Dafoe and the late Margaret Van Leusden. Muriel was proud of her United Empire Loyalist and Prairie roots and her Dafoe heritage. Mother had taken nurses' training at the Lake of the Woods Hospital but left nursing to marry Albert (Bert) Derham at Uchi Lake in 1940. After a few years mining they moved back to Winnipeg before Bert went overseas in the Second World War. Mother raised two children, Heather and Clive, during Bert's war years and purchased the family home at 655 Seven Oaks. She was a traditional stay at home mom, but in later years was a graduate of the first home care training program in Winnipeg. However, her greatest pleasure was the many years she worked in the Children's Department of the West Kildonan Public Library. At the library she made many friendships with the staff and public. As the daughter of a 1919 striker, she was a proud member of local 500 CUPE. She is survived by her three children, Heather Kleiner of Saskatoon, Clive Derham (Irene Giesbrecht) and Phyllis Gallimore. Her three grandsons, John Paul Kleiner (Bridget Newson) of Toronto, Mark Kleiner (Myra) of Saskatoon and Scott Derham (Maia Graham) were a source of great pride to her. Unfortunately, Mother did not meet her great-granddaughter Hazel born September 25, 2006. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law. Mary Derham (Minnedosa), Mary Willcock (England), her brother-in-law Frank Van Leusden (Phyllis) of Victoria and a number of nieces and nephews. Muriel was predeceased by Bert in 1981, her two sons-in-law, John Kleiner (2004) and Bruce Gallimore (2006), as well as her nephew and niece Russell and Lorna Van Leusden. The family is grateful to Dr. Kathy Ross and staff, Middlechurch Home administration and the staff of West 2 for their compassionate care. Special thanks to Diane Bailey, Bernice Birch, Penny Kasper and Heather Stewart for their frequent visits with Muriel while at Middlechurch. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, October 16 at 2:00 p.m. at Kildonan Community Church, 2373 Main Street with Rev. Brenda Fraser officiating. Pallbearers will be Scott Derham, John Bernik, Errick Tagesen, John Melnyk, Bob Malazdrewich, Eugene Kostyra. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ed Blackman, Daphne Johnson and Gladys Stewart. Donations may be made to Kildonan Community Church, Helping Fund, 2373 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB R2V 4T6 or the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg Courtyard Fund, 280 Balderstone Rd., West St. Paul, MB R4A 2A6. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 14, 2006