HAZEL MAY SPENCE (POTTINGER)

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HAZEL MAY SPENCE (nee POTTINGER) It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our mother and grandmother, Hazel Spence, on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at the Eriksdale Personal Care Home with her family by her side. Predeceased by her husband Edwin in November 1978, her sons Gordon in 2007 and Brian in 2005 and one grandson Donovan Courchene in 2005. She is also predeceased by her brothers Laurence, George, Nelson, Ray and Cecil as well as her sisters Clara, Lorna and Irene. She will be sadly missed by her remaining children; Allan (Rita) of Pebble Beach, Audrey Lash of Kitchener, ON; daughters-in-law Donna Buschau of Ashern and Kathy Spence of Port Moody, BC, Dianne Norris of Calgary, Arlene (Edmund) Patzer of Winnipeg, Conrad (Florence) of Ashern and Susan (Steve) Courchene of Winnipeg. She also leaves to mourn her passing her grandchildren Brenda Smallwood, Heather Lash, Trevor and Kevin Buschau, Blain Spence, Stephanie and Cassandra Spence, Kelsey and Casey Spence, Greg and Tim Norris, Bradley and Jeremy Patzer, Christopher and Jason Spence, Edward Thompson, Jessica and Chloe Courchene along with 18 great-grandchildren. Also remaining behind to mourn her passing are her sisters Doreen Sabourin, Barbara Penner and Florence Pottinger. Mom was born in Pebble Beach, MB to William and Marguerite Pottinger on February 13, 1920. As a young woman, she met and married Edwin Spence and they continued to live and farm in the Pebble Beach area until his death in 1978. Despite the fact that she was totally blind, Mom continued to live on the farm milking her cows, planting her garden and baking her delicious homemade bread. She was the heart of her family and everyone came from far and near to Granny on the farm on the weekends or as often as they could. She was a Mom to all and had a magic touch with grandchildren and great-grandchildren alike. She was a gracious host and enjoyed her extended family get togethers immensely. In August 2006 Mom moved into the St. Adolphe Personal Care Home when life got too difficult for her to live at home on the farm. In November she moved into the Eriksdale Personal Care Home which was nearer to family and friends. A funeral service to celebrate Mom's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 26, 2010 at the Ashern Legion Hall with Pastor Bill Watson officiating. Interment will follow in the Vogar Anglican Cemetery. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service at the hall. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren Brad Patzer, Trevor Buschau, Kelsey Spence, Jason Spence, Stephanie Spence, Greg Norris, Edward Thompson and Brenda Smallwood. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the doctors and staff at the Eriksdale Care Home for the excellent care they have given Mom during her time there. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Recreation Department, Eriksdale Personal Care Home, P.O. Box 130, Eriksdale, MB, R0C 0W0. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOME Ashern Lundar 1-204-768-2072 1-866-323-3593

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 24, 2010