MARY PAULINE CLEMIS

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MARY PAULINE CLEMIS 1919 - 2015 Passed away at the Glenboro Health Centre on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at 1:40 a.m., her family by her side. Mary Pauline Clemis was born at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, 1919 north of Waskada, Manitoba in the Montefiore District, on a farm known as the Kilburn farm. Her parents were George and Emma (Heath) Sutherland and she was the third eldest of four children: Evelyn, Stanley, Pauline and Milton. Her family moved to several farms in the Waskada area, but by the time our mother was six, her parents had purchased a farm in the Hernfield District south-east of Waskada. Grades I to VIII were spent at Hernfield School, of which she had many fond and treasured memories. In particular were the Christmas concerts and Field Days, which she recalled with much pleasure all her life. It was also here that she learned the art of letter writing. Pauline gained pen pals at age 10 through the newspaper and wrote to one special friend until her passing. The "Dirty Thirties" necessitated a change for the family and they first moved to a farm near Menteith, Manitoba, where our mother attended Forbes School, and then to a farm in the Hecla School District south of Glenboro, Manitoba. She attended Hecla School, taking Grade X by correspondence. On November 4, 1940 our mother married our father, Alex Clemis, and they farmed for 56 years in the Hecla district. Our mother loved the Hecla area, recounting the histories of the farms, the people and especially remembering birthdays of children born through the years. Farm life was not easy in the early days and our mother milked cows, tended the animals and the poultry. She carried in the water and wood for the household, baked the bread and churned the butter. She looked after a large garden, canning and in later years freezing the produce. The corner kitchen window was always filled with blooming houseplants, especially geraniums of various colors. Pauline was a conscientious housekeeper, a good and creative cook, and enjoyed and excelled at baking. She especially enjoyed exhibiting at fairs with her daughter Heather. Our mother was welcoming of family and friends and the farm house was always a hub of activity. After Alex passed away in 1996, Pauline moved into Glenboro and a new chapter began. Our mother enjoyed new friendships and activities. Driving around the countryside, eating out and card playing were favourites. She was now able to enjoy her love of reading. Pauline also did some travelling and at 85 years enjoyed a trip to Scotland. Our mother's Christian faith was important to her. She lived this out in many ways, but especially in her prayer life, where family and anyone in the community who was ill were faithfully prayer for. The Service of Resurrection for Pauline was held in Glenboro United Church on Saturday, January 24 at 2:00 PM, Rev. Margret Kristjansson and Rev. Brent Denham officiating. Interment was in the Glenboro Cemetery. She is lovingly remembered by her children: Melvin (Sandra), Shannon (Verna), Ruth (Brent) Denham, Shirley Dowd (Jim Crans). Grandchildren: Steven Clemis, Norman (Nadine) Clemis, Wayne (Sherri) Clemis, Adam Clemis (Amanda Penteluk), Matthew (Amanda) Pilloud, Paul (Becca) Pilloud, Vanessa, Samantha and Alex Clemis. Step-Grandchildren: Michael (Jan) Crans, Dave (Marnie) Crans, John (Debra) Crans. Great-Grandchildren Hayley, Caitlin and Max Clemis and Seth Robinson. Step Great-Grandchildren Sean (Jordyn) Crans and their children Benjamin and Charlotte, Sarah (Daryl) McIntosh and their children Riann and Maisie; Keenan and Chenoa; Kyle and Kate Crans. Son-in-Law Gary (Elaine) Pilloud. First Cousin Shirley Grant. Pauline was predeceased by her parents, George and Emma Sutherland, a sister in infancy, and by Evelyn, Stanley and Milton; her sisters-in-law, her beloved daughter Heather (1995) and her husband Alex Clemis. Jamieson's Funeral Services of Glenboro were in care of arrangements. "It Is Well with My Soul"

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 14, 2015