VELMA PATRICIA SLATER ( WILLIS)

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VELMA PATRICIA SLATER ( nee WILLIS) March 17, 1919 - October 20, 2011 Surrounded by her four daughters, Velma (Pat) Slater of Stonewall, MB.(formerly of Balmoral, MB) passed away quietly at the Stonewall Hospital. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her four daughters and their husbands: Carol (Jerome) Schaeffer; Heather (Joe) Corbett; Jean (Ed) Rootsaert; and Joan (Dean) Holliston. Also by grandchildren: Darla (Robert) Lambert, Darlene (Perry) Sytnyk and Patricia Schaeffer (Rod Johnson); Sheena (Gerald) Letexier, Campbell (Sandy) Gibb and Peter (Heng) Corbett; Bryan (Karla) Rootsaert, Peter (Liz) Rootsaert, Mark (Corey) Rootsaert and Christopher Rootsaert (Bonnie Smeall); and Krista Holliston; also great-grandchildren: Erin, Jodi and Tara Lambert; Laura, Breanne and James Sytnyk; Kate and Lauren Letexier; and James Gibb; Alexandria Rootsaert; and Abbi and Jenni Corbett. She also leaves to mourn her sisters-in-law Nelda Willis of Saskatoon and Catherine Thexton of Stonewall. Velma held a special place in her heart for her many nieces and nephews. On August 17, 2005 Velma was predeceased by her beloved husband of 65 years, Charlie Slater. She was also predeceased by her brothers Maurice Willis and Dave (Annie) Willis and six sisters, Jane (Oliver) Mollard, Bertha (Gordon) Ross, Alice (Ben) Dawson, Phyllis (Lorne) McFarland, Nell (Stan) Drake and Millie (Aldus) Preston and also by brother-in-law George Thexton. Velma was born on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1919 on the family farm in the Balmoral area, the ninth child of John (Jack) and Marjorie Willis (Good). Mum had a wonderful childhood growing up in a large family on her parents' mixed farm near Balmoral. A lot of good times were enjoyed there. She received her education in Balmoral and in 1940 married her school sweetheart, Charlie Slater. Velma and Charlie raised their four daughters in Balmoral and when the girls were older, Velma took a business course and worked for 25 years in their insurance office at J.C. Slater Agencies. She retired in 1979. Mum and Dad enjoyed travelling in their motorhome and trips farther afield by air. In 1996 she and Charlie moved to Lions Manor in Stonewall. Church was a big part of Velma's life. Her younger years were spent attending St. John's, Brant and later, for many years, she was a member of St. Peter's Anglican Church in Balmoral. After that she was a member of the Stonewall Church of the Ascension and involved in the Sick and Visiting Committee for numerous years. She also helped with monthly church services and fellowship at Lions Manor as well as knitting many prayer shawls and crafts for the church. Throughout her life Velma enjoyed many crafts and hobbies; sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, oil painting and inlaid wood, to name a few. The last crafts she mastered were paper tole and bunka. Her mission was to make something for each grandchild and she accomplished that. She was an avid reader especially liking biographies. Velma loved sports and as a young woman played baseball in Balmoral. Later she curled and travelled to the surrounding towns to be in bonspiels. She was a member of the Balmoral Curling Club and received her honorary life membership. In later years she enjoyed watching Blue Jays baseball and curling on television. Being born on March 17 meant you had to wear something green and celebrate with a great tea party with homemade tea biscuits and cake. She was really proud of her Irish ancestry. She was a devoted mother, strict but fair and loving. We could not have asked for a more significant parent. Her teachings will forever live on in her whole family. Cremation has taken place and a service of remembrance will be held on Tuesday, October 25 at 2:00 p.m. at MacKenzie Funeral Home on 433 Main Street, Stonewall, MB, with Rev. James Bardsley officiating. A private burial of cremains will take place at Victoria Cemetery, Balmoral, MB. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. MACKENZIE FUNERAL HOME STONEWALL (204)467-2525 MACHHOME@MTS.NET

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 22, 2011