JUNE SIGGS (PALSSON)

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JUNE SIGGS (PALSSON) Peacefully on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, surrounded by the love of her family, June passed away at Lions Manor PCC at the age of 82. June leaves to mourn her passing and to cherish her memory, her daughter Candace and her children, Paul, Drew and Matthew Thiessen, and their father Gordon Thiessen; her daughter Allene, son-in-law Harry Brown, and their children, Cole, Jessica and Malcolm; her sister Svava and husband Eric Sigmar; her sister-in-law Gene Palsson; her brothers-in-law, Barney Sigvaldason (Irene), Wilmar Sigvaldason, Lloyd Sigvaldason (Sigurlin); Hazel Sigvaldason (widow of Edwin); and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, especially two lifelong friends, Solla Eyolfson and Ruth Dahl. June was predeceased by her beloved husband Al Siggs in 1988; brother Bill Palsson; and parents, Wilhelm and Asta Palsson. Mom was born in Geysir, Manitoba on June 14, 1924. She attended school in Geysir, Arborg, and Winnipeg, and taught school in Geysir after graduation. She married Dad on June 20, 1947, and after a brief honeymoon, the newlyweds moved to Cape Smith, NWT where Dad worked as the manager of an HBC Arctic trading post. They moved back to Arborg in 1950, later settling in Winnipeg. Mom was a working mother long before it became commonplace, and worked most recently at Sears in the Accounting Department, retiring in 1986. Mom was proud of her Icelandic heritage and was fluently bilingual. She attended Islendingadagurinn in Gimli every year, enjoying the opportunity to visit with family and friends. She and dad participated in Icelandic community activities and fostered pride in their Icelandic heritage in their daughters and grandchildren. An accomplished pianist, Mom taught piano and theory for many years, touching and enriching the lives of many young people in the Westwood area. She passed down her talent and love of music to her daughters and grand-children, and enjoyed attending their recitals and school musicals. She was a member of the Handbell Choir at Messiah Lutheran Church, played for residents at Deer Lodge Centre, and after she became a resident at Lions Manor in 2003, she continued to share her gift of music with the residents and staff, even after she could no longer read music. Mom was a loving mother and Amma, and an inspirational role model. She taught us to be kind, loving, independent and resilient. After Dad's passing, she obtained her first driver's license at age 65 so she could retain her independence. She began to travel the world with friends, sometimes taking several trips per year. Her grandchildren were her greatest delight and she'd always have freshly baked cookies and pönnukökur ready for them when they visited. Mom's passing will leave a huge gap in all our lives. The family wishes to thank the seventh floor staff at Lions Manor Supportive Housing unit and the third floor staff at Lions Personal Care Centre for their loving and compassionate care. A memorial service in celebration of June's life will be held at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 3:00 p.m., with Pastor Ed Mitchler officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lions Manor Supportive Housing. Goda Nott Elskin Neil Bardal Inc. 949-2200 www.nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 19, 2007