ERNESTINE (NIN) ADAMS (PRITCHARD)

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ERNESTINE (NIN) ADAMS (nee PRITCHARD) Peacefully, on Friday, December 7, 2007, my beloved mother entered into Eternal rest at Taché Nursing Centre. Besides her daughter, Joan o.s.u., Mom is survived by her two remaining brothers, Roger (Barney) and wife Diane, and Leonard and wife Anna; sisters-in-law, Olive Pritchard and Dorothy Pritchard, brother-in-law, Ronald Yorke and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and special and devoted friend, Mona Scott whose weekly visit brought joy into Mom's life. Mother was predeceased by her parents Jeanne Pritchard (Coutu) and Willis Pritchard; her husband, Maurice and two daughters, Anita and Rosemarie, in their infancy, sisters, Mabel, Mildred, Jeanne, and Evelyn, brothers, Charles, Arthur, and Richard, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. Mother, eldest of ten surviving children, was born on April 3, 1917, in St. Boniface and spent all her life in these surroundings. Her eyes would light up, as if it were yesterday, when recalling some history of St. Boniface which she knew well and loved. She spent many happy hours poring over and up-dating her extensive and historic St. Boniface Scrap books, as well as her family albums. She was extremely proud of her maternal heritage and related many interesting stories and traditional customs about her grandfather, Joseph Coutu and his family, who were early St. Boniface settlers, and whom she loved dearly. Here is where her love and knowledge of history were born. She inherited from her Welsh father the Celtic light-heartedness, smiling eyes and the ability to relate a captivating story. Mom was very much a people person and was at her best when she was among friends. Although she was never a grandmother she loved children and children seemed drawn to her calling her grandma or nanny which made her extremely happy. Mom was a longtime member of the Belgian Club and an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Norwood Legion both of which she was very proud to be associated. It was only her illness - Parkinson's Disease - that prevented her from being out socializing with her friends. She was a very determined and courageous lady with a compassionate and generous heart. She rarely, if ever, complained about the lot that befell her and it never took much to please her or make her happy. She had a deep and abiding faith in God and although she had had several close calls with death she was never afraid to die. My inheritance from her is great, indeed, and I shall miss her! I wish to thank all of the personnel at Taché Nursing Centre 3ABC especially, as well her several friends among the other residents for their kind concern and attention to my Mother's needs and to mine on my daily visits with her, throughout the years of her residency there. Flowers are gratefully declined but donations in Ernestine's name would be appreciated to: Les Amis de Taché Friends Inc. - Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk Endowed Fund: 185 Despins St., Winnipeg, MB R2H 2B3. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 12 at 10:30 a.m. in Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, 778 Archibald St., with viewing one half hour prior to the service officiated by Father Ron Leger. Interment will follow in the Belgian Sacred Heart Cemetery, 501 Plinquet St. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E.J. COUTU CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald St. 253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 11, 2007