BENTE CUNNINGS

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BENTE CUNNINGS Peacefully, on Monday, January 22, 2007 at the Riverview Health Centre, Bente Cunnings, widow of the late Jack, passed away at the age of 80 years. She is survived by her sister Lis Hejlsted and by nieces, Annemette Hejlsted and Charlotte Hejlsted Ishoy and nephew Jens Kristian Hejlsted Larsen and their families all in Denmark. Bente was predeceased by her parents and by her husband Jack. She will be greatly missed by her special friend Glenn Wylie and his two daughters and sons-in-law, Barb and Dave Taylor and Linda and David Gill, and by her Bichon Tania. Bente was born at Gjentafte, Denmark and educated in Copenhagen. She was involved with the Danish Underground during the Second World War. After the war, and a year in England, she trained as a nurse in Denmark, nursed for four years in England, then immigrated to Canada in 1955. She nursed at TB Sanitariums at Ninette, MB and The Pas, MB before becoming Director of Nursing for all Sanitariums in the province. This was when she met and married the love of her life Jack. In 1963 she received a Bachelor of Nursing degree, and in 1969 a Bachelor of Interior Design degree, both from the University of Manitoba. During 1969 to 1973 she was Executive Director of the Manitoba Association of Registered Nurses. After retiring from nursing, her interest in crafts, especially pottery, led to another career, creating birds in clay. Because of her love of nature, she developed an extensive wildflower garden at her Fort Garry home. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 3 at Fort Garry United Church at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Gordon Taylor officiating. Special thanks are extended to the medical staff who treated Bente during her long illness, especially Dr. Karen Boyd and Dr. H. El-Gabalawy; to Pat and Andy Miles for their knowledge and care in organizing her medical support; to Palliative Care staff, especially Dr. Pilkey, Anne Marr, and Janice Brickey, who cared for Bente in her home and in the Riverview Health Centre; and to neighbours and friends, especially Pam and Rick Probot, Marilyn and Brian Templeton, Jeff McDermott, Rosemary Gill, Dodie Metcalfe, Karon Fiesel, Terena Hentelman, Barb and Bob Brandt, and Barb and Art Sparling. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Bente to one's charity of choice. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 Broadway - 783-7211 www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 31, 2007