ADELINE PRISCILLA ANN WILLOWS (KESSLER)

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ADELINE PRISCILLA ANN WILLOWS (nee KESSLER) It is with great sorrow and bittersweet relief that we announce the passing of a grand lady, Adele, peacefully, in her home at the age of 93, on Saturday evening, May 15, 2010. A fighter, Adele touched everyone she met, with her will to survive and the knack of keeping everyone on their toes. She was a nurse, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, auntie and a volunteer. She was born and raised in Pangman, SK and then came to Winnipeg to train as a nurse at the St. Boniface Hospital. It was there that she met her future husband of 55+ years and love of her life, Dr. Ross L. Willows. While he worked on his Obstetrics and Gynecology specialty in Cleveland, she enjoyed working in the surgery department there. She should be remembered for her sacrifices working overseas in East Africa assisting surgery with her her husband and doing missionary work. She remembered fondly the work they did in Iran, representing the World Health Organization in a Maternal and Child Welfare Mission. As a volunteer she spent 20 years on the board of the St. Boniface Hospital Volunteer Committee. During that time she spent five years as buyer for the newly opened gift shop. She assisted in the setup of the rotogravure for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Her longest stint was being involved in the Winnipeg Art Gallery Volunteer Committee, chairing for three years in charge of membership and personnel and contributing to the stamp committee under Virginia Berry's tutelage. Her faith in God sustained her throughout her life and it especially came in handy at her weekly St. Charles Country Club Bridge games. Her faith also comforted Adele during the many decades of losing Toronto Blue Jays seasons, of which she was fanatical. She was an active member of the Church of the Way as well as St. Aidan's Anglican Church later in life. She had an active mind right up to the end. She will be missed and always remembered for her decorating skills, sense of style, appreciation of art and the relentless pursuit and love of bling . She is survived by her son, Ross W. Willows (Carol), and her niece / daughter Patricia Szewczyk and son-in-law Francis Greenburger. She loved her grandchildren: Lee Repko (Hannah), Thomas Scott, Morgan and Noah Greenburger. She is survived by her sister Gertie Dorgan and brother Norton Kessler. She is also survived by her namesake and great-grandchild, Willow S. Repko, who gave her great comfort and joy on her last day on earth. She is predeceased by her husband Ross, daughter Judith as well as five brothers and two other sisters. Loving tribute must be paid to all of the people who selflessly served her in her last years, including her ladies of Manitoba Home Care and the committed gentlemen attendants of 180 Tuxedo Avenue. You are out of pain now - Rest in Peace. A memorial service will be held at St. Aidan's Anglican Church, 274 Campbell Street at the corner of Campbell and Kingsway on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to Samaritans Purse. They can be found at: http://www.samaritanspurse.ca/

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 19, 2010