MAVIS BENJAMINSON

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MAVIS BENJAMINSON On Saturday, November 5, 2011, with her children at her bedside, Mavis died peacefully in the Grace Hospital following a brief illness. Mavis was predeceased by her beloved husband, Fredrick Carl Benjaminson, as well as her infant brother Jeffrey, her parents Mary and Harold White, stepmothers Madge and Helen, her twin sister Margaret and husband James Houston Maupin, parents-in-law Skuli and Setta Benjaminson, brother-in-law, Ed Benjaminson (Marg), sisters-in-law Inga Benjaminson and Elvira Eliasson (Gissur). She is survived by her children: Fredrick Donald and Margaret Benjaminson, Wade and Sharon Benjaminson, Rita and John Smith, Patricia Benjaminson and David Murray, Jeanne Benjaminson and Marlon Persaud; grandchildren: Karen Benjaminson and Terry Sled, Karilyn and William Vis, Gary and Jennifer Benjaminson, Bryan and Fawn Benjaminson, Shane and Gail Smith, Braxton and Robin Smith, Morgan Smith, Jennifer and Michael Best, Adam Wiles and Suzanne Carpanini-Sinclair, Andrea Murray and Winston Blakey, Peter and Kelsey Murray, Wade Miller and Melissa Malden, Ritchie and Val Miller, Jennifer Davis-Persaud, Gia Davis-Persaud; great-grandchildren: Danielle and Ashley Sled, William, Alicia, and Hendrick Vis, Lily Benjaminson, Royal and Cruise Benjaminson, Brooke and Zachary Smith, Deaken and Hyde Smith, Matthew, Abby and Ella Best, Casey Wiles-Benoit, Thomas Blakey, Branson Miller, Flynn and Joss Miller. She is also survived by her aunt Dorothy White, many cousins, nieces and nephews. Mavis was born September 27, 1920 in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, England and immigrated to Canada in April 1927. Mavis met Fred on the long weekend in September 1938 and wrote the minute our eyes met we were in love . They became officially engaged on Mavis' 20th birthday. Mavis and Fred were married December 6, 1941. Fred enlisted in the army one month later. During the first few years of their marriage, while Fred served in the army and they were unable to live together, Mavis lived with Fred's parents. Mavis and Fred built their first home in Kirkfield Park in 1947 where they raised their five children as well as their many pets. Mavis entered nurses training at the Grace Hospital in September 1938 and graduated in May 1941. She had the highest marks of those writing the Board exams and was Valedictorian of her graduating class. Mavis nursed at the Winnipeg Municipal Hospital, as a private duty nurse, and at the Grace Hospital before taking time off to have her first three children. She worked at Deer Lodge Veterans Hospital then took time off to have her next two children and to help care for Fred's mother following a debilitating stroke. She later worked at Deer Lodge Centre as Head Nurse and Nursing Supervisor, finally retiring at the age of 69. She was a dedicated and caring nurse. Mavis was always able to find the good in everyone and if anyone made a complaint she would say put on your rose-coloured glasses . She wrote, the important things in life are not money and possessions and material things. They are love for one another and your fellow man, and empathy and understanding, kindness and non-judgmental acceptances of one another as we are . That is how she lived her life and one of the reasons she was so dearly loved by all who knew her. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew's Anglican Church on Saturday, November 12 at 11:00 a.m. officiated by the Reverend Aubrey Hemminger with a reception following in the Parish Hall. The family will attend the interment of ashes at a later time at the Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. The family wishes to thank Dr. Dan Martin and the second floor Grace Hospital staff for their expertise and compassionate care. If friends so desire, donations can be made to Grace Hospital Foundation, 300 Booth Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3J 3M7, Deer Lodge Centre Foundation, 2109 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0L3, or A Port in the Storm, 208 Provencher Blvd., P.O. Box 85, Winnipeg, MB R2H 0G0.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 08, 2011