WILMA MARGUERITE FRASER (DUNNING)

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WILMA MARGUERITE FRASER (nee DUNNING) Peacefully on January 12, 2008 at River East Personal Care Home, Wilma Fraser passed away at the age of 94 years. Wilma was born in a small house in Hartney, MB on October 30, 1913. Her mother died six weeks later. Her grandmother and aunt came from Pickering, Ontario to help her father raise her and her sister Lois. She attended school in Dand, MB and graduated with Grade XI. She came to Winnipeg and earned a normal school degree but there were no jobs available at that time, so she took a business course and began working as a secretary. Wilma married Norman Alexander Fraser and they had four children, Bruce, Dale, Heather and Fairlie (Lee). After several years of working in business offices, a call was put out for anyone with normal school training - teachers were scarce. Without Grade XII, she could not teach in Winnipeg so she was sent to Rosewood, MB for two years. She had some wonderful students and experiences there- on her 85th birthday, Rosewood students came to her party. While in Rosewood, she took night classes and went to summer school in Peoria, Illinois to obtain her Grade XII. She was then able to teach in the city. She came to Glenlawn Collegiate where she eventually became head of the commercial department. Wilma introduced and tirelessly promoted a program to involve businesses in providing real-life work experience for her students. She retired in 1975. Wilma was a faithful member of Knox United Church. She spent many years heavily involved in their outreach program, helping many inner-city families. In 2005, at age 92, she went back to Dand for the closing ceremonies of the small Friends (Quaker) Church she had attended as a child. She enjoyed the event very much and even had a few words to say. She loved to discuss religion, history and many other subjects at great length. Wilma loved to knit. She knitted many teddy bears and small afghans to be sent to third world children. She was still doing it until this summer. She also made beautiful intricate sweaters for each of her children, 11 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. This summer, she was thrilled to become a great-great-grandmother. She was predeceased by her husband Norm, son Bruce and granddaughter Janet. She is survived by her daughters Dale (Doug), Heather (Pat) and Lee (Gord). The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff at River East Personal Care Home for their loving care and compassion. Funeral service will be held Friday, January 18 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Voyage Funeral Home, 220 Hespeler Ave. Arrangements entrusted to: VOYAGE FUNERAL HOME CREMATORIUM 220 Hespeler @ Henderson Hwy 668-3151

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 16, 2008