SVEINBJORG MAGNUSINA VIOLET BJORNSON (GUDJONSSON)

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SVEINBJORG MAGNUSINA VIOLET BJORNSON (nee GUDJONSSON) With heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Sveinbjorg, (our Mother, Honey, Amma, Sister, Aunt and Friend) on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at the Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg. Left to mourn her passing are her children, Jacquelynn (Barry) Broomhall, Kris (Katia) Bjornson of Winnipeg and Margaret (Dan) Swain of Lockport, MB. Grandchildren, Patricia Madigan (Steve Donaldson), Rachel (Jeff) Wiens, Eric Madigan, Livia Lobo, Myra Bjornson and Carly Swain. Great-grand-children, Vicky Madigan, Tyesha Lobo, and Logan and Taveon Wiens. Also surviving are sisters, Loa Martin and Astros Martin and their families and many nieces and nephews. Sveinbjorg was predeceased her husband Jack of 49 years, her parents, Jakob and Sigga, brothers, Sveinn (infancy) Albert, Arni, and Kristinn, brothers-in-law, Fred Martin, David Martin, Pete Christiansen, Thor Bjornson and Moe Tobin. Sveinbjorg was born in Hnausa, MB. January 28, 1928. She was educated in the Hnausa area and went on to Normal School to become a teacher until her marriage to Jack in 1949. In 1958, the family moved to Selkirk where they raised their three children and Sveinbjorg returned to a teaching career in 1967. During this time she attended university to obtain a BA and later a B.Ed Degree in Special Education. She taught in the Lord Selkirk School Division until her retirement in 1985. Sveinbjorg was very active in many organizations including the Brownies, Selkirk Lutheran Church, Icelandic National League, Bruin Chapter (INL) and the Association for Community Living, Selkirk (ACL). Although retired, she continued to teach Icelandic to those who were eager to learn. She felt very strongly about her Icelandic heritage, enjoyed visiting Iceland, meeting relatives, and was honoured to be chosen as Fjallkona in 1983. In her later years, she and Jack especially enjoyed their time with their grandchildren and family, travelling and relaxing times at the North Forty . Prayers will be held on Friday, September 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 22 at 2:00 p.m. in the Selkirk Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Stan Richards officiating. The family wishes to thank all the nursing staff and doctors at Victoria General Hospital Intensive Care Unit for their exceptional treatment and care of Mother during her valiant fight. We would also wish to extend a special thank you to Dr. Thorlakson and nursing staff on Unit Four North for their exceptional palliative care during her final days in where she passed with such comfort and dignity. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to INL, ACL, Selkirk Evangelical Lutheran Church or a charity of one's choice. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 15, 2007