AUDREY MYRTLE MERKELEY

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AUDREY MYRTLE MERKELEY Audrey Myrtle Merkeley passed away peacefully at home in Victoria on November 1, 2012. She enjoyed living with her son John and his wife Vivien in Victoria for her last four years. Living in Victoria she was able to appreciate the outdoors, nice weather, birds and flowers in their backyard all year round. She also shared good times with Jacob, the dog. She leaves to cherish her memory, her sons Garth (Lisa) and John (Vivien), daughter Michaeline, grandchildren Kelly and Garth Jr. and sister Patricia Bjarnasson as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Garth, her parents Roy and Myrtle Armstrong, brothers, John, George, Roy Jr. and sister Barb Harvie. Mom was born on January 14, 1919 and was the first of six children to grow up on the farm in Boissevain, Manitoba. She came to Winnipeg in 1939, where she graduated from Nursing at the St. Boniface Hospital. After briefly working as nurse, she joined Trans Canada Airlines (Air Canada) until she married her husband Garth. After Garth died in 1958, Mom worked briefly at the St. Boniface Hospital and ultimately joined the Winnipeg Clinic, where she worked for 25 years, attaining the position of Head Nurse. She retired at 67 and then took a trip to New Zealand for her ultimate adventure. Mom loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed visiting the family cottages at West Hawk and Falcon Lakes for over 70 years. She enjoyed gardening and bird watching and was a member of the Naturalists Society. She passed on her love of birding to her children and grandchildren. Mom loved cross-country skiing and even entered a ski race at the tender age of 70. She enjoyed many hours of stitching and rug hooking. Mom also volunteered at the Craft Guild and the Assiniboine Park Conservatory Gift Shop. A memorial service will be held at Thomson In the Park at 1291 McGillivray Boulevard on November 15 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society 193 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 9Z9, Nature Manitoba (Naturalist Society) - 401-63 Albert Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1G4 or the Alzheimer's Foundation 10-120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C4G2 would be greatly appreciated. THOMSON IN THE PARK 925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 10, 2012