PANSY LORRAINE LUNNEY (QUIGGIN)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

PANSY LORRAINE LUNNEY (QUIGGIN) Pansy Lorraine Lunney died on July 20, 2007 at Fred Douglas Lodge in Winnipeg. Pansy was born to Sophia and Michael Ateah in 1911 at Fort Alexander, Manitoba. Shortly after, the family settled at Victoria Beach where, like all her nine siblings, she learned to hunt, ride, garden and generally become competent in all of the tasks required to enjoy life in the rough rural environment of the time. Upon completing a basic high school education, Pansy enrolled in the school of nursing at Victoria General Hospital from which she graduated in 1932 with a gold medal in general proficiency. From the beginning, she was frequently called upon to use her nursing skills to help family, friends and strangers at Victoria Beach, Winnipeg and beyond. Frequently, her interventions made the significant difference. Pansy and her sister Louise, also a nurse, served as models for several of their nieces. She was married twice to two good men . with Tom Quiggin she became active in the union and cooperative movements, workers' education, the CCF and the early NDP. They had one child, Michael. A few years after Tom died, she married Jim Lunney, a long time friend. With Jim, she traveled extensively and became active in the RCMP veterans' associations, where she established many close and lasting relationships. With Tom and Jim the home was always a welcoming one. Throughout her life, Pansy was active in the church, serving as a teacher and community leader. In addition to the Sunday activities, she organized such special events as vacation schools and Christmas concerts. She excelled in organizing and orchestrating these and other events like the annual Victoria Beach end-of-season variety concerts. She loved poetry and enjoyed reciting excerpts from a variety of sources, especially Omar Khayyam and Irish and Scottish luminaries. For three decades, she served as the editor of the Victoria General Hospital Nurses' Alumni Newsletter. Pansy volunteered at the Deer Lodge Centre for 16 years. She visited her sister Frieda there almost daily and became active in facilitating many of the Centre's social events especially those involving singing. She enjoyed curling at the Thistle Club. As a skip, she was rarely on the winning side, but had a good time making my opponents happy. She established the Ateah Trophy at the Thistle. For several years, Momma Ateah presented the Trophy to the winners. Pansy had the capacity to encourage others through her positive attitude, cultivating friendships that lasted a lifetime. She always looked at the bright side of things and was ever ready with a humourous quip that delighted those around her. She lived a full life, leaving individuals and communities better for having known and experienced her. She is loved and will be missed. She is predeceased by her husbands, Tom Quiggin and Jim Lunney and leaves her sister Margaret; son Michael; daughter-in-law Dorothy and grandchildren, Deborah and Aaron. Funeral service will be on Tuesday, July 24 at 10:00 a.m. in the St. Michael's Church in Victoria Beach with Rev. Judy Whitmore officiating. Interment to follow in the Victoria Beach Cemetery. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 23, 2007