PEARL IRENE RONEY

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PEARL IRENE RONEY Pearl Irene Roney (nee Lounsbury) of Wawanesa passed away quite suddenly in the Brandon Regional Health Centre on February 5, 2007 at the age of 97 years with her son Ken at her side. Pearl was born March 26, 1909 in Olive, MB, near Treherne on her grandfather's farm, the sixth of eight children to Sophronia Lounsbury (nee Clark) and Joseph Corwin Lounsbury. Her family spent the childhood years as poor farmers who didn't have much but were very happy with family, nice neighbours, friends and love, respect too. Pearl started school in Matchetville School near Treherne. Her Dad moved quite often resulting in her schooling to continue in Arbroath and Lavenham where she finished her schooling after two months in Grade 9. She would have liked to have continued farther. At 13 years old, Mother was out working for others and in 1925 travelled via train from Treherne to work for the Roy Wallace family near Methven. Here she met Wilbert (Yib) Roney from nearby Wawnesa and was married in the Treherne manse on June 28, 1928. They settled down in Wawanesa in a two room suite above Charlie Gorrie's Drug Store. Mother worked at the Mutual for about a year until the arrival of their first child, Myrna. In 1930 the present Wawanesa Mutual Insurance building was built and the old building made into suites which the family moved to. Mother became what is lovingly known today as a domestic engineer' with the arrival soon after of two more children and a fourth some time later. In 1937 the family moved to her parents-in law's house and she has lived there ever since. Mother dearly loved her family and always found time for her grandchildren and great- grandchildren, never tiring of their visits, long walks through the park and endless card and board games. All loved the meals she put on the table for them. Mother forged strong friendships with her neighbours and they took turns hosting coffee at their homes each day. They also were all quilters and held quilting bees to help each other quilt and enjoy their time together. Pearl really enjoyed harness racing and occasionally followed some of the Manitoba circuit. She really enjoyed going into Winnipeg each fall for the final weeks of the racing where she would stay at the daughters' and enjoy both visiting the families and was at every race. Outside of family and friends, mother spent much of her time with handiwork. She enjoyed sewing on her treadle machine, tatting and knitting but never did master crocheting though she tried. Her girls had dresses sewn lovingly on that old machine and the boys had their pants and shirts sewn by her. All the members of her family have a great stash of tatted doilies and knit afghans and her children and their offspring were never short of mitts. She also was an avid gardener both indoors and out. Her garden got smaller as her years crept up but she always loved her flowers. She loved the outdoors and her yard, and once wrote I always marvel at the way birds come and go each season and can look after themselves. There are so many beautiful things in life and a lot to be thankful for. She loved her houseplants with her special pride and joy being her orchid cactus. Everyone who ever saw it in bloom could only stand in awe. Mother was kind and caring to all around her. This rewarded her many times over as she was allowed her biggest wish - that she would be able to live in her own home until they carry me out . As she became blind she had the friendship and constant support and care of family and friends along with her home care workers. The family is so grateful and wishes to sincerely thank special nephew Morley, special great nieces, Arleen and Janice and their families, Doreen Cunliffe and very special friend of many years, Emily Brown. Also son Mel who did so much for her while he was able to. Left to cherish the memory of Pearl are her daughter Myrna Addison of Winnipeg, son Ken (Julie) of Brandon, daughter-in-law Barbara Roney of Wawanesa; seven grandchildren, Donald (Jocelyn) Addison, Sharon (Brett) Davies, JoAnn (Brad) Letkeman, Wayne Hillsden, Chris Roney, Darwin (Doris) Roney, Dana (Sheryl) Roney; eight great-grand-children, Mark Davies, John and Joe Addison, Sarah Letkeman, Danielle, Devin, Dereka and Kristofer Roney; also many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Wilbert (Yib) in 1968; daughter Velda Hillsden; son Mel; son-in-law John Addison; her parents; and all seven of her brothers and sisters, and their spouses, Alf, Joe, Clark, Bertha, Katie, Iva and infant brother Clinton. The funeral service for Pearl was held February 13, 2007 in the Wawanesa United Church with Betty Ann Dempsey officiating. The Soloist Racille North of Wawanesa was especially requested by Pearl. Interment followed in the Wawanesa Cemetery. Pallbearers were Chris, Darwin and Dana Roney, John Addison, Bob McDonald and Matt Johnston. All in attendace were considered honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Wawanesa United Church, Box 298, Wawanesa, MB, The Wawanesa Community Fields Project, c/o Alvin Taft, Wawanesa, MB R0K 2G0, The Heart and Stroke Foundation, 824-18th Street, Unit 3, Brandon, MB R7A 5B7 or to a charity of choice. Jamieson Funeral Service of Glenboro were in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 03, 2007