VERNA JESSIE VERMANDER

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VERNA JESSIE VERMANDER 1910 - 2007 Verna Jessie Vermander (nee Williams) passed away peacefully at the Lions Personal Care Home on Friday, May 18, 2007. Verna was born at Gladstone, Manitoba, on February 11, 1910, daughter of Christina and John Williams. Her family lived on a farm near Gladstone and then moved a short distance to Pine Creek. Later they moved to Firdale, Manitoba, where they owned a store and operated the post office. Verna attended public school at Firdale, high school in Carberry and then moved to Winnipeg where she finished at Kelvin High. She lived with families and worked for her room and board. In 1929 Verna entered the St. Boniface Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1932. The St. Boniface Sanatorium opened at this time and Verna began her nursing career. Two years later she moved to Victoria and worked on the maternity ward at St. Joseph's Hospital for two and one-half years. She then returned to Gladstone Hospital where she took charge for five and one-half years. Verna made many friends there before returning to the University of Manitoba in 1946 to receive a degree in Nursing Education. Upon completion, she accepted a teaching position at St. Boniface Hospital School of Nursing. After several positions at St. Boniface, Verna became Assistant Director of the school until her retirement in 1974, after 28 years of service. During that time she developed a close relationship with the Grey Nuns and in later life was commissioned as a Grey Nun Associate. During her time at St. Boniface, Verna met and married Joseph Vermander on June 26, 1956. They had a happy life together and travelled the world extensively. Verna continued to enjoy exciting trips into her later years of life. She had many other interests, which included golfing, walking, entertaining, visits to Carberry, the symphony, the theatre, Folklorama and her annual week at Palm Springs and Falcon Lake with her friends. She looked forward to happy hour with the girls in the block and her favourite television program, The Young and the Restless. Verna will be sadly missed by her nieces, Helen McFarlane, Beverley McDonald (Wayne) and daughter Dallas; great-niece Shelley Hewins (Allan) and family Alyx, Kenzie and Danika; great-nephews, Ryan Anderson (Renee), Dale Anderson and children Brett and Brady. She also leaves behind many special friends who she considered family; Genevieve Benoit and family, Marjorie Dance and Flore Toupin. Verna was predeceased by her husband Joseph (1974); two sisters, Ella Elmhirst (Charlie), Ina McFarlane (Harvey); and one niece Betty Anderson (Ron). A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 25, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at Desjardins Funeral Chapel, 357 DesMeurons, officiated by Father G. Ward. A private family interment will take place following the service. The family wishes to thank the third floor staff at Lions Personal Care Centre for their compassionate care of Verna. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish may make a donation in Verna's memory to the St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation, 409 Tache, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2H 2A6. The Desjardins Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements 233-4949; toll free 1-888-233-4949.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 23, 2007