DARLENE GAYE KJARTANSON (DAVIDSON)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

DARLENE GAYE KJARTANSON (nee DAVIDSON) On December 5, 2006, at home in the midst of her loving family, Darlene was carried to Heaven on the wings of angels. Darlene was born on November 7, 1952 in Winnipeg, first daughter of David and Evelyn (Milne) Davidson. Darlene was predeceased by her father in 1969 and her mother in October 2004. Darlene is lovingly remembered and will be greatly missed by her husband Terry, four children: Katie (Gavin Burt) of Edmonton, Melanie and Holly of Winnipeg and son Ryan, grandson Calum Burt, sister Dale Davidson of Sun City, Arizona, mother-in-law Geraldine Kjartanson of Winnipeg, brother-in-law Mike Kjartanson of Calgary, as well as many, other relatives and friends. Darlene grew up in St. James. She attended Strathmillan Elementary School and Golden Gate Junior High School before attending St. Mary's Academy. Darlene obtained the degree of Bachelor of Home Economics from the U of M in May 1975 and a Professional Diploma of the Faculty of Education from the U of Alberta in May 1976. Darlene and Terry travelled from Edmonton to be married in Winnipeg on October 16, 1976. Darlene's support of Terry's career resulted in her living in many places. Darlene moved from Edmonton to Fort Simpson, NWT in August 1977. While in Fort Simpson, Darlene was a substitute teacher and quickly assimilated into the community. For her 25th birthday she received her dog Autumn Simpson. It was a tearful goodbye to many Fort Simpson friends when she moved to Brandon, MB in March 1978. In Brandon, Darlene's love of animals resulted in her working as a veterinarian's assistant. Her working career outside the home was put on hold when Melanie was born in June 1980. Darlene left Brandon in September 1980 and lived in many places in Winnipeg until moving into their home in Ile Des Chenes in July 1981. Following Holly's birth in October 1981, she was very busy at home. Darlene moved to Amaranth, MB in September 1982 when Terry was resident engineer for construction of the Sandy Bay I.R. School. With Darlene's return to their IDC home in November 1983, her moving days were over. By now, Darlene was a full time homemaker and Ryan's birth in March 1986 completed her family. In November 1992 our family was made whole when we were reunited with our daughter Katie (Yuill). Darlene returned to work in 1990 at the Ecole Ile Des Chenes School where she worked as a substitute teacher, a teacher and an educational assistant. Her dedication and her caring, yet fun-loving, personality endeared her to both students and staff alike. While her illness prevented her from working after the 2004 school year, she maintained a close relationship with the school staff. Darlene truly enjoyed playing games. All of her family and friends have fond memories curling, golfing, and/or playing card games and many other games including Scrabble, Pictionary, Sequence, and Guesstures. During her 2 ½ year illness, many health care professionals cared for Darlene. Some, but not all, of these compassionate people include Dr. Sarah Kredentser, Dr. Ralph Wong, Kathy Kyryluk, Bunty Anderson, Dr. Parmjeet Banghar and Nancy Kumm. As a result of their efforts, Darlene was able to enjoy an active lifestyle until very near the end. In the words of Stephen Levine: Grief never ends, but the pain changes and moves from the mind, where we feel so separate from the loved one, into the heart, where we feel our essential connection with them. Love never dies. Memorial service will be held on Monday, December 11, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations in Darlene's memory may be made to a charity of your choice. CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 09, 2006