WANDA MILLICENT DRYDEN (KOSIOR)

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WANDA MILLICENT DRYDEN (nee KOSIOR) Wanda Dryden passed away on Sunday, May 6, 2007 at the age of 78 years. She is survived by her children, Blair (Janice), Shelley (Geoff Robson), and Bill (Barbara). Mom had five grandchildren, Robert, Amy and Jaclyn Dryden and Catherine and Elizabeth Robson. Wanda was predeceased by her husband Robert (Bob) Dryden in 1979. Mom was born in Osborne, Manitoba on November 7, 1928 to Albert and Caroline Kosior. She had four sisters, Agnes (Pitura), Helen (Manness), Betty (Johnson), and Clara (Pitura). Mom would entertain us with stories about growing up on a farm and the antics she and her sisters would get into. Her schooling was in Osborne where she worked hard as a student, wanting to be a doctor, but as the family finances were meagre, she settled for second best , in her opinion, and became a Registered Nurse and graduated from the Misericordia School of Nursing in 1950. She worked briefly in Winnipeg at the Shriners Hospital and with the City of Winnipeg Public Health Department. In 1952 Mom married Bob Dryden and settled on the farm in Domain (and, in those early years, with those damn chickens ) where she lived until her stroke in November, 2006. Over the years Mom became the person our relatives would seek for medical advice, diagnosis of rashes, removal of stitches, you name it. When you had a problem you could call upon Aunt Mick for help. Mom loved yard work and would spend hours in her flower garden, mowing, or tilling. Mom could paint a house, sew a dress, or crochet an afghan. In recent years Mom was unable to be as active as she used to be but she managed to keep her lawn mowed with the help of her trusty John Deere garden tractor. She returned to nursing when farming was difficult in the late 1960s and worked in the Emergency Departments at the St. Boniface and Victoria Hospitals. She returned to school after Dad passed away and was latterly an Occupational Health Nurse at Versatile Manufacturing until her retirement in the early 1990s. Mom was always very involved in the farm. She preferred combining and only gave up that job when the machinery became too complicated. She could be counted upon to be the hired man and was always running someone out or picking something up. Her diary, which she faithfully kept for years, dutifully noted every inch of rain, which field was being seeded, or when harvest started and ended. When she had time, Mom would read voraciously, and enjoyed watching television, especially anything that would inform her of current events. Mom ended her time comfortably at the Morris Hospital and her determination throughout her long illness was evident to the end. Her family would like to thank all the dedicated staff who cared for her and for us during this time. Following Mom's wishes, there will no formal service. A private time of remembrance will be held at the Domain Hall. Interment will be at a later date at the Avonlea Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations, if you wish, may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society. Mom always had a soft spot for animals and her home became a sanctuary for more than one stray or cast off dog or cat. Arrangements entrusted to: VOYAGE FUNERAL HOME CREMATORIUM FAMILY OWNED OPERATED 1531 Pembina Hwy. 284-7500

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 09, 2007