INGIBJORG VIRGINIA ELLA SANDERCOCK (EIRIKSSON)

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INGIBJORG VIRGINIA ELLA SANDERCOCK (nee EIRIKSSON) June 15, 1923 - November 26, 2008 Peacefully Ella passed away with Bert, her husband of 58 years and Shelley her daughter, by her side. Ella is survived by her loving husband Thomas Albert (Bert), daughter Shelley (Jeff) Tallin of Winnipeg, sons, Blair (Sean) Sandercock of Edmonton and Garth (Patricia) Sandercock of Calgary, grandchildren, Naomi and Darcy Tallin and Lisa, Jodi and Ian Sandercock, sister Margaret (Eiriksson) Bjornson of Winnipeg, and brother Ernest Eiriksson of Langruth. Ella grew up on a farm in Oakview, Manitoba. Icelandic heritage shaped Ella's early years, which she never forgot and delighted in sharing throughout her life through baking and Christmas traditions. Art was a favourite subject for her at the one-room Darwin School, foretelling her love of art in years to come. Her war contributions included constructing aircraft instrument panels at Boeing of Winnipeg, where she made life-long friends. After business college, work took her to Morden where she met Bert. They were married at the Greenwood United Church in Winnipeg on December 9, 1950 and started their life in Selkirk. Family was her first love, but she still found time to work at the Steel Foundry, the Agricultural Office, and then the Selkirk Medical Centre when it was the converted house on Eveline Street, staying through 20 years of change towards the present clinic we know today. Selkirk was more than home. Ella was involved in numerous activities including Kinettes and Toastmistress, accepting many rolls including President in both, and the Mapleton 4-H club, working tirelessly as a 4-H Leader over 10 years. Ella was a big supporter of the Selkirk Community Arts Centre and the House of Economy. Into both she poured her passion and energy. At her passing, Ella had served on the Selkirk Community Arts Centre Board for 14 years as a strong advocate, encouraging all to join in sharing their love for Art in any form. Ella's hobbies included gardening in the summer, painting in the winter, traveling to far-flung places and the daily crossword. A rose garden forms the centre-piece of their yard on the Red River. Bonfires in the Flats were a perennial favourite, regardless of mosquitoes or burnt marshmallows, as it was the family getting together that mattered most. Her love of nature reflects in her paintings, which she began in the mid 70s. Preferring the Prairie surroundings above all, local birds and trees figure prominently, illustrating to all her desire that we treasure nature and preserve it. Ella's joy and love of life was infectious, and she will be missed. The family would like to thank the Selkirk Hospital staff for their tireless care of Ella at her time of greatest need. Flowers are graciously declined. Donations can be made in Ella's name to the Selkirk Community Arts Centre, 101-250 Manitoba Avenue, Selkirk, MB RIA 0Y5 or any charity of choice. The ashes will be interred at a later date after a private memorial ceremony. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 03, 2008