THELMA HELEN STEVENS

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THELMA HELEN STEVENS It is with sad yet thankful hearts that we bid goodbye to our mom, grandmother and great- grandmother who peacefully passed into the arms of her Lord on February 18, 2015. Thelma was born in Winnipeg on February 27, 1923 and spent her entire life in our wonderful city. She was the youngest of three children, having an elder brother and sister, Leonard and Margaret, who predeceased her. She spent her happy childhood growing up in Weston on Gallagher Avenue, surrounded by a loving family and good friends, some of whom she kept in close contact with for her lifetime. She attended Daniel McIntyre Collegiate where she participated in the school choir program. Her love of singing carried through her entire lifetime, participating in other choirs along the way and singing with her family in the hospital right up until her last days. She was an active member of the Lutheran Church of the Cross now on Arlington from when she was a young girl to the latter years of her life. Her faith guided her steps. She also spent many years working at Eaton's fur storage department where she made many solid friendships. She had such a sweet and gentle spirit, and the patience of a saint. She truly was a friend to all she met. The people who looked after her in the last number of years often told us what a sweet mom we had. Her children knew they were blessed. She married the love of her life George Stevens on December 9, 1950 and spent the next 43 years of her life with him, raising and nurturing her family along the way. She was a wonderful cook, learning her skills from her mother, and we looked forward to her Sunday roast beef dinners, baked tomatoes and blueberry pie. She spent her summers at the cottage at Laclu and had many fond memories of her time there with her family. She loved blueberry picking, much to her children's chagrin, and it's no coincidence that one of her favorite tunes was Blueberry Hill. Ironically, her kids now take part in that activity, as all of them continue to enjoy lake life at Laclu, her boys during summer and her daughter year round. Nothing gave her more joy than having her family together and getting a highly competitive game of Scrabble going. She continued to journey to the lake for many years after the death of George in 1993. Left to cherish her memory are her children Brad (Linda), Linda (Randy), and Tim (Diana, deceased), along with nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Her love crossed all the generations and all her family loved her as she loved them. She was thankful to the end, often commenting how blessed she was. We would like to thank all those at Riverwood Square who cared for her so wonderfully in her three years of residence there and for those who looked after her at the Victoria Hospital until her passing. A celebration of mom's life will be held on February 27 at 2:00 p.m. at Riverwood Square, 1778 Pembina Hwy. Parking is available on the south side of the building accessed off of Adamar. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba, 10-120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4G2 or the charity of your choice. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 21, 2015