HAZEL MARTHA GILROY (MEYER)

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HAZEL MARTHA GILROY (MEYER) Our Mother died peacefully on April 2, 2010 at the Lions Prairie Manor in Portage la Prairie, with her family near, at the age of 95 years. Hazel was born on November 30, 1914, at her parents' homestead (Henry and Sarah Meyer) near Gilbert Plains. She loved growing up on the farm, in the middle of three sisters, Clara, Viola and Arlene, and one brother Lloyd, and always talked of those pioneer days with great fondness. After graduating from high school, during the height of the Great Depression, the future was uncertain, but Mother ultimately moved to Portage to train as a nurse, at what is now the Manitoba Development Centre. While in training, she met and later married the late Rex Gilroy QC, and lived the rest of her long life in Portage, except for the Second World War years, when she moved with Rex, and her infant son, to various Army bases around the country, including Barrie, Red Deer, Chilliwack, and Victoria. Rex died prematurely in 1977, beginning a long time on her own, which she did not expect, but lived well. Fortunately, in later years, they enjoyed many holidays together in far-off places. Raising her three children, managing the household, and devoting much time and energy to many volunteer works, plus an active social life with great friends, gave Mom a rich and satisfying life. A terrific bridge player, she appreciated flowers and birds, and was a wonderful gardener. Time at the cottage at Delta Beach was the focus of the summer season, and winter was full of church events, the Portage Hospital Auxiliary, the Ruth Rebekah Lodge, the Herman Prior Seniors Centre, and many, many bridge games, among various other interests. Active in the Council of Women, Mother supported causes she believed in, and gave generously to her community. Faith was an important part of Mom's life and the fellowship of the First Baptist Church in Portage gave her spiritual comfort. Here to miss and remember her, are her son Ed (Judy Kohut), grandchildren Marni and Brett of Winnipeg; her daughter Sally (Jim Gibson) of Sault Ste. Marie, grandchildren Duncan of London and Sara of Calgary; her daughter Valerie (Bruce Barr) of Winnipeg, and her sister Arlene Johnston of White Rock, as well as many nieces and nephews and dear friends. A funeral service will be held at Omega Funeral Home (83 Royal Rd., Portage la Prairie) on Friday, April 9, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Donations in Hazel's memory, to Lions Prairie Manor, the City of Portage la Prairie Foundation, the First Baptist Church, or the charity of your choice, would be gratefully received. Thank you to the kind and caring staff of Lions Prairie Manor who made Mom's final days warm and comfortable.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 06, 2010