THELMA GRACE WEBSTER (MARSDEN)

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THELMA GRACE WEBSTER (nee MARSDEN) Peacefully, with all of us at her side, Mom passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at the age of 87 years. In 1926 Thelma was born in Winnipegosis, Manitoba to William Elmer (Bunny), and Verna Marsden at the home of her grandparents, Thomas and Sarah Whale, and was raised in The Pas, Manitoba. Thelma graduated from Margaret Barber High School before moving to Winnipeg where she attended Angus Business College. She began a position with the Winnipeg Free Press as a copygirl/reporter during the war years. She left this position to marry John S. Webster of the U.S. Army during the occupation of The Pas and subsequently they resided in Salem, Ohio for a few years before returning to Canada. On their return her husband, a civil engineer, went north to Lynn Lake, Manitoba and worked for Sherritt Gordon Mines where Thelma joined him while the town was still just a mine and camp. There was only one other woman there at the time. They resided there for many years and had three children. Their first was Sherry Lee, who predeceased them in 1948. Surviving are son John Douglas (Patti) on the west coast; daughter Nicola Ann (Don) Cairns of Winnipeg; three grandchildren, Ryan Stafford (Mel), Patrick Stafford (Jenna) and Sage Webster (Shaun); and two great-grandchildren, Addison Rose and Jayda Ann. Kalysa and Joe held special spots in her heart. From Lynn Lake, the family moved to Atikokan, Ontario where her husband worked for Steep Rock Iron Mines and when they moved to Winnipeg, he joined the Area Engineer's Office for the CNR. A few years after divorcing, Thelma began a career with the Airlines starting with Midwest Helicopters and then, as each airline was bought out, progressed through Transair Limited to Pacific Western and finally Canadian International, from which she retired as Administrative Assistant in Personnel. Thelma loved travelling and through both her father's affiliation with the CNR and in later years her own with the airlines, she was able to visit many countries worldwide. After retirement, Thelma lived in Gimli, Manitoba for a time then returned to Winnipeg, taking up residence in the Kiwanis Lodge. After a few years, the WRHA began a Seniors Exercise Pilot Program at Kiwanis and called for a volunteer to train and lead classes. Thelma took this on and the program continued under the auspices of ALCOA, a province wide organization to promote health and fitness for seniors. Thelma lead the class for nine years and introduced the program to two other senior residences in St. James before retiring due to ill health. Thelma's other interests were skating, curling, cross-country skiing, golfing, canoeing, camping, swimming, painting, gardening, bridge and reading. In compliance with Thelma's wishes, there will be no service. A private family gathering and interment in the family plot at Riverside Cemetery in Dauphin, Manitoba will take place at a later date. The family would like to thank all the people at Deer Lodge Day Hospital, Grace Hospice and all of Mom's and our friends for their caring and support over these past few months. A special thank you to Bonnie and Ron for all the help and love. Wojcik's Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204-897-4665, is in care of arrangements. wojciksfuneralchapel.com Mom will be sadly missed.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 18, 2014