LOIS GWENDOLYN BURNS

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LOIS GWENDOLYN BURNS, RN (nee JOHNSON) After a full and blessed life of 91 years, Mom passed away in her sleep on September 11, 2007 at Tuxedo Villa. A devoted and loving mother, wife and grandmother, she was predeceased by her husband Cecil in 1993. Left to celebrate her memory are son Norman; grandchildren. Tim and Todd Burns, all of Winnipeg, daughter Peggy Burns and son-in-law Eugen Wawrin of Toronto and Grand Cayman, as well as brother Roy Johnson of Bow Island, Alberta. A tiny baby of 2.5 pounds, Mom was born on her parents' farm in Picture Butte, Alberta. She probably saw the doctors' advice to avoid a taxing career path as a challenge. A faulty heart was not about to deter her in following her goals. She met Cecil Burns while she attended the Galt School of Nursing in Lethbridge. To help design the new sugar factory, he was transferred by Rogers Sugar, to Winnipeg where she joined him in marriage after her graduation as an RN. Returning from their honeymoon to Kenora, they stopped in at Toniata Lodge on Falcon Lake, where he announced that this would be where they would be spending their summers and weekends. That's just what they did. She grew to love the peace and serenity of the lake environment, just as much as he. The family cottage sold 60 years later. Mom worked in Winnipeg, primarily as an occasional special duty' nurse, once her children were older. She became known to doctors as the nurse who could handle cantankerous old patients. She was very proud of her career choice; her nurturing and generous attitude as well as her seemingly endless energy flowed throughout her personal life as well. Her nursing career ended in 1971 when Mom and Dad bought a winter home in Phoenix, where Mom continued to winter for a few years after Dad passed away there in 1993. Kindness and compassion for all animals, was a trait that both parents transferred to their two children. Pets, both the family's dog and cat were always beloved little creatures. Mom was proud of her accomplishments as a horsewoman and her show cattle captured numerous fair prizes. Dad helped to build the original old Fort Garry United Church where, particularly in her younger days, Mom was an very active member. A service will be held there in her memory at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19. Fort Garry United Church, 800 Point Road. Telephone: 475-1586 The family wishes to thank the nurses of Tuxedo Villa for their remarkable kindness toward their care of Mom over the past decade.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 16, 2007