ADDIE BAILEY

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ADDIE BAILEY (nee Starr) Peacefully at Grace Hospice on May 8, 2010, Addie passed away surrounded by her daughters, Linda, Debbie and Wendy. After a lengthy illness, she looked forward to joining Harry, love of her life and her husband for 50 years. She will be sadly missed by her family: her daughters; her grandchildren Eric (Jody), Andrea, Lia, Loren, Tess and Liza; sons-in-law Richard and Ken; and great-grandchildren, Peyton, Shayla and Brianna. She is survived by her siblings, Stanley, Connie, Wally and Gloria as well as in-laws Mary Starr, Tom Patton and Marge Starr. Addie was born in 1927 in St. Martin, Manitoba, and she loved to tell stories about growing up on a remote farm, where she travelled by horse and buggy and read by kerosene lamps. When a handsome new schoolteacher arrived in town, Addie was smitten by his blue eyes, and so her journey with Harry began. They married and raised their family in Winnipeg. In her mid-forties, Addie enrolled in a pottery class and discovered the work she was meant to do. She became a gifted and successful potter, and for the rest of her life, she constantly challenged herself, leaving a legacy of thousands of beautiful pieces. Addie's other passions were politics and metaphysics. Throughout her adult life, she was a staunch NDP supporter and willing volunteer. She also developed a deep interest in the universe and its mysteries and read constantly on the subject. When Harry passed away in 1995, Addie was faced with the great challenge of building an independent life. She learned to drive at 67. At 75, she bought and completely remodeled a new home. Within her networks of craftspeople, political activists, neighbours and customers, she developed a rich and full new life and had the vigor and energy of someone a decade younger. According to Addie's wishes, cremation has taken place, and a private family celebration of her life is planned. Addie's family would like to thank the Palliative Care staff at St. Boniface Hospital and Grace Hospice for their compassionate care and understanding. In lieu of flowers, donations in Addie's memory can be made to the palliative care facility of your choice. We never cease to stand like curious children before the great Mystery into which we are born. (Albert Einstein)

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 15, 2010