FLORA GLADYS CONKLIN -

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FLORA GLADYS CONKLIN 1911 - 2011 On March 21, 2011, at Extendicare Oakview Place Personal Care Home, at 99 years of age, Gladys Conklin, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt and cousin, succumbed to several health setbacks. Gladys carried on her life until its end with strength and good cheer. Gladys' cheery outlook grew from her happy childhood at 201 Hampton Street, Winnipeg and Ponemah Beach, Manitoba as the eldest child of Dr. John Henry Conklin and Flora Mabel Yeomans. In her youth and as a young lady, Gladys regularly participated in the Winnipeg social scene. She played on the Great -West Life ladies baseball team in 1934 and once admitted to her grandchildren that she possessed a pretty good peg. Gladys' happiness was fostered also by her brothers Murray and Bob, sister Janet and by aunts, uncles and grandparents particularly from the Yeomans homestead in Alexander, Manitoba. In August of 1938, she married Aidan Hamilton Conklin, a distant cousin. They brought Elizabeth (Peter Wijtkamp), Dr. Robert (Nona), and Murray (Joanne) into the world. Gladys raised her family on Berry and Guildford Streets in St. James and at Victoria Beach. Their marriage flourished until Aidan died in March, 1995. Gladys brought contentment to Aidan and her children with her strength and generous personality. She was active at Deer Lodge Curling Club and in bridge club. She and Aidan participated in the lives of Westminster United and Victoria Beach community churches. The arrival in 1968, of Anneke Wijtkamp (Sean Sagar), their first grandchild brought Gladys the new role of Oma . Anneke, Marieke Wijtkamp (Brad Smith), Peter James Wijtkamp (Melanie Ptashynski), Dr. Christopher Conklin (Brigitte Gemme), Michael Aidan Conklin (Reena), Michelle Nishi (Bobby) and Amelie Findlay (Jason) all confirmed their love of their Oma, her important role and that of Aidan as Opa, in their lives. Oma and Opa encouraged, rewarded and showered affection on each of their seven grandchildren. Oma's love of her great-grandchildren, Parker and Gunner Smith, Joel Aidan Sagar, Ayva Findlay, Makayla Nishi, Rohan Aidan Conklin and Hana Nishi, maintained her joy for life. More great-grandchildren meant more birthday celebrations, which she loved to take part in. Gladys will be especially missed by her sisters-in-law Rosemary and Jean Conklin, her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and by Mwaka Kaonga of Winnipeg. She will also be missed by her friends at The Westhaven. Gladys' family thanks the doctors, nurses and health care aides who helped her in the last eight months of her life at Grace Hospital and at Oakview Place. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, April 9, 2011 at Westminster United Church, 745 Westminster Ave, Winnipeg with Robert Campbell officiating. In memory of Gladys Conklin, should friends desire, donations may be made to Westminster United Church, 745 Westminster Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3G 1A5 or Grace General Hospital, 300 Booth Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3J 3M7. NEIL BARDAL INC. FUNERAL CENTRE (204) 949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 02, 2011