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MERILYN BETH BALLANCE
Date of Passing: Oct 17, 2010
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryMERILYN BETH BALLANCE Merilyn died peacefully at her home on Sunday, October 17, 2010 with her family and her beloved son Jared by her side. Joining Jared in mourning Merilyn's passing and lovingly remembering her remarkable life are her sisters, Isobel Zimmerman (Hank), Margaret Williams (Cliff), Gerri Wilkinson (Ron), brothers Jim (Betty) and Randy (Lynn), and sister-in-law Jackie. Merilyn was predeceased by her parents Anne (nee Gardner) and Harry Ballance, and her older brother Bill. Aunt Mer influenced the lives of each of her nine nieces and seven nephews through her unfailing kindness and generosity. She is also survived by her aunt Hazel Gardner and many cousins who will remember Merilyn for her steadfast loyalty in maintaining her extended family. Merilyn was a self made woman. Born in 1941 in Gladstone, Manitoba she moved with her family to Winnipeg at an early age. She grew up and went to school in the Kirkfield Park and St. James areas of the city. After high school Merilyn enrolled in Success Business College and started a career as a typist / stenographer. She worked nights and weekends waitressing along with her day jobs to make ends meet. She bought an equity position in one of the businesses she worked for, Perma Engineered Sales, and eventually became President of the company. As president she presided over its growth and expansion. The success of this company allowed Merilyn to retire in her early 50s so she could devote her time raising the joy of her life, her son Jared. As a single mother she still found time to become President of the Women's Auxiliary of Heritage Victoria Community Club and President of the Women's section of the Assiniboine Golf Club. In 1999 she was elected the first female President of the Assiniboine Golf Club. Merilyn developed many friendships over the years. Of special meaning to Mer were June Gilby, Bev and Don Penner, her friends at Assiniboine Golf Club, Aija and Gerry McLachlan and her many friends at Beauty Bay, Ontario. A funeral service will be held at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army, P. O. Box 1932, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 3R2. Chapel Lawn 885-9715
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 19, 2010
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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It was my privilege and good luck to know Merilyn professionally for many years, as Perma Engineered Sales was an accounting client. She had a warm heart, a wicked sense of humor, and a knack for seeing people as they really are while accepting their eccentricities. She was generous and kindly, and scrupulously honest. There was nothing pretentious or artificial about her. At the end of every working day she would always treat me to a wee dram of Ballantine's. I remember our first meeting as if it was yesterday: "Jim! We have a Scotch drinker!" - Posted by: Kasia Purdy (business associate) on: May 21, 2021