EMILY (ELIZABETH) GREEN (VINCENT)

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EMILY (ELIZABETH) GREEN (nee VINCENT) On Saturday morning, November 27, 2010, our mother passed away peacefully at the Rehabilitation Hospital - Health Sciences Centre. She died from complications sustained following a pelvic fracture on August 2, 2010, after living for many years with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Mom was predeceased by her husband, Lionel Green on May 6, 2000. She will be sadly missed by her children, Margaret Green (husband Andrew Shefchyk, Alexander and Joshua) and Howard Green (Auston and Bronwyn). She was born on September 4, 1931 at the beginning of the Great Depression in Gypsumville, Manitoba, where her parents William Vincent and Elizabeth Gagen farmed. Sadly, Mom lost her own mother when she was only six years old. Although there was talk of sending mom to England (from where her father had emigrated) to female relatives, grandpa insisted that she remain with him. Life continued to be difficult for mom as she and grandpa tried to make a living and the Second World War began. She developed a strong work ethic on the farm and a lifelong love of animals. As an only child, they provided her company and she considered the animals my friends . Mom was tall from an early age and often did not have proper attire and footwear for the three mile walk back and forth to school everyday, often arriving to school half frozen, in the winter. Although she was shy and quiet, she developed life long friendships with people from the Gyp . At the age of 18, mom left the farm to enter psychiatric nursing at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre, where she obtained her diploma as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN). She worked in a few rural Manitoba towns, often as a general duty nurse, subsequently settling in Winnipeg and working on the psychiatric unit at Misericordia Hospital. It was while living in what is now known as Wolseley , that she met our father. They married on May 6, 1962. After their marriage, they continued to live in the West End as Mom stayed home to raise her family while dad built his law practice. She returned to work as a nurse when her children were teenagers. In the last ten years mom had become quite debilitated with arthritis and her mobility had been severely compromised following a hip replacement in 2001. It was easy to forget that mom used to ride horses bare back and walk so fast that we would ask her to slow down so we could keep up. Mom loved listening to the radio, a habit she developed as a child, when she and grandpa would listen for news of the War . She followed the Bombers, Goldeyes and the Moose. She was an avid reader, enjoying a wide range of books, including Stephen King mysteries. She loved flowers, plants, and a good cup of tea. We will remember her homemade playdough, hot chocolate, spareribs, knitted mitts, scarves and sweaters. We would like to extend thanks to our family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time. Thank you to mom's neighbours at the Donwood, where she lived for the last ten years for their support and friendship to her. A special thank you to the staff on RR6, Rehabilitation Hospital. Their care for mom was professional and compassionate. They were freely giving of their time, especially during mom's last few days of life. In particular, a sincere thank-you to Sylvia Zubert, Clinical Resource Nurse, RN, David Chin, RN, Lisa Williams, LPN, Unit Assistants, Nabby Mohamed and Ellen Tang, physiotherapist Lynne Markham, Dr. Hani El-Gabalawy, Dr. David Robinson, Dr. Carol Hitchon. We would also like to thank Dr. Lewis Ludwig of the Consult Laison Service and Mrs. Lynne Fineman of Solutions for Successful Aging. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in mom's memory to the Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg, MB R3T 0R3 (www.winnipeghumanesociety.ca) or to The Arthritis Centre at Health Sciences Centre, Rheumatology Research, RR149 - 800 Sherbrook, Winnipeg, MB R3A 1M4. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 3, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Margaret's Anglican Church, NW Ethelbert Street and Westminster Avenue. Rest in peace mom, your struggle is over In the end, only kindness matters Chapel Lawn 885-9715

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 01, 2010