GLADYS JEFKINS

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GLADYS JEFKINS It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved mom and grandmother, Gladys Evelyn Jefkins on March 11, 2010. Gladys was born near Radville, Saskatchewan, March 11, 1930 to Bill and Evelyn McDermid. Her family farmed through the 1930s and moved into the town of Radville some years later where she met and later married Sheldon Jefkins. Gladys stayed home to raise their three children but was always busy with her many creative endeavors. She was a skilled and talented seamstress and our wardrobes were almost entirely handmade while we were growing up and beyond. Her other hobbies included knitting, hat making, candle making and many other crafts. In her later years Gladys took up water colour painting and enjoyed the camaraderie of her friends at the St. James Art Club. She loved to entertain and cook for family and friends and we all have some of Omi's recipes in our collections. Once all three children were in school Gladys worked at the Happy Time Day Care for over 20 years. Working with children brought her great joy and fulfillment. Over the last 45 years Gladys volunteered her time as an usher at Manitoba Theatre Centre, where she coordinated friends and family to join with her in supporting the local arts community. She was an invaluable asset to the community through her dedication to her many passions and charitable work. Gladys enjoyed the company of her canine kids and they all held a special place in her heart. Bonnie, Buffy, Becky, Bébé, Randee, and lastly, Beegee were all integral parts of her life. Gladys was predeceased by her mother and father, Bill and Evelyn McDermid; sister Wilna Temple; and husband Sheldon Jefkins. She will be greatly missed by daughter Jane Willett, son Keith and wife Joy, son Mark and wife Jackie. Also granddaughter Wendi Nordell and husband Kelsey and their children, Sheldon, Ross and Amber; granddaughter Keisha Patenaude and husband Ken and their son Justin; grandson Torrey Willett and wife Carrie; grandson Brett and wife Gaye and their daughter Alyssa; grandson Danny and his wife Kim and their sons, Sam and Mason; granddaughter Jessica; and grandson Adam. There is a great void in our lives that will never be filled. We will miss her sense of humour, stories, wonderful food, her hugs, her genuine desire to always put others first. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at Central Church of Christ on 170 St. Mary's Road, Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Cremation will take place at Glen Eden Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to honour Gladys' memory with a donation to CancerCare Manitoba or the charity of your choice, as she was a cancer survivor of 20 years.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 15, 2010