WINNIFRED MIRIAM SPENCE

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WINNIFRED MIRIAM SPENCE September 16, 1914 - April 30, 2007 At the Percy E. Moore Hospital, Hodgson, Manitoba, early Monday morning, April 30, 2007, our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother, Winnifred Miriam Spence (Thomas), died surrounded by love and compassion by all of those around her, and has gone to the next world to join her loved ones who have gone before. Mom was born on September 16, 1914 at Peguis Indian Reserve to Margaret and Harry Thomas. She was the only sister in a family of nine brothers. She was the last surviving member of the family and joins her brothers, David, Melville, James, Ken (Dorothy), Orton, Stanley (Rose), Allan (Aurelia), Rodney and Bill. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Olive and Alvina Thomas. Our mom attended school at the Peguis School #2, and then attended residential school in Brandon, Manitoba and Edmonton, Alberta. She left school with her Grade 12 which was a rare success in those days given the circumstances and history of our people. Mom married our dad, Walter James Spence, on March 25, 1935. Together they raised a family of four boys and five girls. On February 19, 1974, after 38 years of marriage she lost her mate, our father Walter, and she missed him dearly until her final days. Together, they taught us that in order to live good and useful lives that we must be loving, caring, honest, courageous, humble, giving and industrious, and to be proud of who we are as human beings and Indian people. To honour their lives, we must remember to do these things every day and pass it on to our children, grandchildren and those to come. On April 22, 1998, our brother Lawson died and mom was heartbroken. She missed his kindness, humour and love which he shared with her every morning when he dropped by to share her morning coffee. Other loves lost from her life were her sons-in-law, Edward Wilson and Harry Stevenson, and her beloved daughter-in-law Shirley Ann Spence. Mom is survived by her eight children, Florence (Frank) Wilson, Sybil Wilson (Cyril St. Cyr), Lila (Roger) Nicklin, Allan Spence, Linda Stevenson, Walter (Clementine) Spence, Karen (Jim) Wastasecoot, and Tony (Ardell) Spence; 40 grandchildren, 103 great-grandchildren and 24 great-great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. Her love for her many offspring knew no bounds, as she loved each and every one of us. Until late February, Mom loved to read, bird watch, tend her flower garden and play Scrabble with her daughters and friends, especially Doreen Bird who was her home care helper. We would like to thank the doctors and nursing staff at Health Sciences Centre GH4 and Percy E. Moore Hospital, especially Wendy, Darcy, Cindy, Sherry and Donna. She always greeted them with a beautiful smile no matter how she felt. Prayers and viewing will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 2 with funeral services at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 3, 2007. Both services will be held at St. Matthews Anglican Church, Peguis, Manitoba. Reverend Barry Bear and Pastor John Peters assisted by Freda Bear will officiate both of the services. Pallbearers are the eldest grandsons from each of her children's families. They are Faron Wilson, Don Wilson, Bob Spence, DJ Spence, Walter Spence Jr. and Chris Wastasecoot. Honorary pallbearers are Tony Spence, Verna Spence, Alice Harkson, Robert Cochrane, Alvina Thomas, Doreen Bird, Ruby and Caroline Murdock. Crossbearer is Marcus Wilson and Pauline Sinclair will give the eulogy with Heather Lynn Stevenson reading the obituary. Flowers are gratefully declined. Those wishing to honour our mother's memory are asked to send donations to Palliative Care Room Inc. Percy E. Moore Hospital, PO Box 83, Fisher Branch, Manitoba, R0C 0Z0. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOMES LTD. Ashern - Lundar (204) 768-2072

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 02, 2007