ADA VERNA MCCALLUM (WELLS)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ADA VERNA MCCALLUM (nee WELLS) With characteristic dignity and courage, Mom passed away peacefully at Riverview Health Centre on April 21, 2010. She will be sadly missed by her son Bill (Yvonne) McCallum of Denver, her daughter Linda Stewart of Winnipeg, grandchildren Michael (Jennifer) Doig of Steinbach, Jennifer Doig of Thunder Bay and Robert (Brooke) McCallum of Denver, Danielle McCallum of Boulder, great-grandchildren Amanda, Olivia, Delaney, Brennan and Will, and many nieces, nephews and friends as well as the McCallum family in Northern Ireland and Australia. She was predeceased by her husband Sam in 1989 and daughter Maureen Doig in 2003. Born in Carman on October 21, 1915, she was the seventh of nine children born to Martin and Bertha Wells. The family settled on Sandhurst Avenue in Elmwood, where Mom attended King George V and St. John's High. Many of the friendships forged in those early years endured for her whole lifetime. As a young girl Mom was active in baseball and speedskating, and continued to be a fan of all sports throughout her life. Both her parents died too young, resulting in a very close family. Aunts and uncles and cousins were always an important part of our life. Mom's short career was spent mostly at Eaton's, where she met Sam and also made new friendships, many becoming part of our extended family. Mom and Dad were married in May, 1941 and started their life together in St. Vital. Moving to Tache Avenue in 1951, Mom became an active member of the Norwood Community Club and Norwood United Church participating in U.C.W., Explorers, C.G.I.T., Time Out. She was enthusiastic about everything she did...sewing, crochet, macrame, paper tole, baking, delivering Meals on Wheels for more than 25 years, running the Tea House at the Norwood Art Show...but especially curling. Many of the skits performed at windups of the Eaton Wives (then Fort Garry Ladies) Curling Club are legendary and the recent Olympic trials and competition gave her great pleasure. The purchase of a summer cottage at Barrier Bay in 1953 added a new dimension to all of our lives. Mom embraced lake life just as enthusiastically...becoming expert at baking blueberry pies in the woodstove, creating meals out of canned everything before the advent of electricity, being the lookout for novice water skiers or just being on the dock while scores of kids learned to swim. Days on the water fishing with Min and JB were always a highlight. She was a proud and independent woman who taught by example. She had many good friends and was a good friend. She was loyal and supportive and kind and honest, always to be trusted with your secrets. She is the last of her generation in our family, and set a high standard that will be hard for those coming behind to attain. We will miss her in so many ways. Our thanks go to Dr. G. Balko, the Emergency and Family Medicine staff at St. Boniface Hospital, Delores and Maureen and the rest of the homecare visitors and the amazingly caring folks at Riverview Health Centre. In lieu of flowers, friends may make a donation to the charity of their choice. Mom's choice would be St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation, 409 Tache Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6 or The Maureen Doig Memorial Award c/o Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1. We invite all who knew her to celebrate Mom's life with us at St. Mary's Road United Church, 613 St. Mary's Road on Wednesday, April 28 at 10:30 a.m. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C OX4 783-7211 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 24, 2010