THELMA FAST

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THELMA FAST (nee CLARK) This elegant, efficient, pragmatic and fiercely independent lady died peacefully on the evening of January 7, 2014 two weeks prior to her 89th birthday. Predeceased by her husband Bernie and sister Maxine, Thelma is survived by her children: Catherine (Derrick), Arthur (Jennifer), Carol (Tom) and Frances (Kevin); grandchildren: Patrick, Cara, Martha, Sarah, Brian, Ian, Andrew, Peter and Allison; great-grandchildren: Adam, Malina and Elijah, and siblings: Doug, Ethel (Hurren) and Wilf. Born January 22, 1925 on the family homestead near Treherne, MB, she reached her one-room schoolhouse on horseback and in winter by horse-drawn sleigh. Thelma left the farm at 16 in order to create a bigger life. As a registered nurse, she met her husband at her first real job in Brandon and together they went on to Vancouver, Montreal, London, England, Edmonton and Boston. Settling in Winnipeg to raise their children, Thelma directed her interests to a life of public service leading efforts at the Children's Hospital Book Market, St. Andrews River Heights United Church, Manitoba Conference United Church, Winnipeg Presbytery, Council of Women and the Canadian Council of Churches. Her children all fondly remember 1969 as the year she studied cake decorating and this talent led to a multitude of beautifully designed wedding cakes made for family and friends. A voracious reader, occasional quilter and reliable knitter of baby blankets, Thelma took great joy in her English country dance group, singing with her senior choir and playing with the handbell choir at her church. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Andrew's River Heights United Church on Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. with a reception for family and friends to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Thelma's memory to the Bernhard B. Fast Memorial Bursary at the University of Manitoba Medical School.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 20, 2014