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LYNNE MACFARLANE Obituary pic LYNNE MACFARLANE Obituary pic

LYNNE MACFARLANE

Born: Jul 29, 1932

Date of Passing: Oct 30, 2015

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LYNNE MACFARLANE (RUSSENHOLT) July 29, 1932 - October 30, 2015 Wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and Winnie the Pooh aficionado. It is with great sadness that Lynne's family announces her passing. There are so many words to describe our mother - broadcaster, journalist, best-selling author, public relations professional, writer, stock broker, financial planner, speaker, counsellor, confidante. Mom served proudly on a number of local and national boards and advisory committees. She was particularly proud of her term sitting on the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women. She was an excellent role model for us, had a strong work ethic and a fierce intellect. She was a pioneer in so many ways and taught us to be enormously proud of our Canadian heritage. Mom, like her mother before her, had a rich, full and varied professional life. She worked at the CBC, the Winnipeg Tribune, the University of Manitoba, RBC Dominion Securities and as a partner in business and life with our dad, Don, at MacFarlane Communications Services Ltd., where they enjoyed many successes and nation-wide recognition. She attended Laura Secord, Wolseley and Gordon Bell High School, where, not surprisingly, she was involved in virtually every activity and club the schools offered. She then attended the University of Manitoba and completed an Honours degree in History and Political Science, and was a proud member of the sorority Gamma Phi Beta. She returned to the University of Manitoba for her Master's degree in History years later, and we all fondly remember her research on the esteemed Rosa Luxemburg. Mom met Dad in 1950. Dad and his school friends from St. James Collegiate were recruited to help sand bag during the 1950 flood. The Russenholts lived at 1326 Wolseley Avenue and Mom and Gramma Russenholt were making sandwiches for the sandbaggers. Dad said he couldn't resist Gramma's sandwiches. The rest is history. Mom loved the colour blue, whodunits, teaching her grandchildren to read, mystery shows on TV, engaging in debate, Halston perfume, knitting Icelandic sweaters without a pattern while watching TV, Liberal politics, dogs, musicals at Rainbow Stage, her bridge club, reading the financial pages, her friends, long hot baths, correcting grammar, Christmas music, running laps in the pool in Arizona, but most of all she loved people. She would do a weekly "cross country check up" with all of us and convert that into a "Dear All" letter and later email, keeping each of us abreast of what the family was doing. Everyone loved her because she was so positive, supportive and interested. Mom was predeceased by her beloved parents, Ed and Kay Russenholt, and by her husband Donald MacFarlane. She leaves to cherish her memory her brothers Ben and Champ (Fayre) Russenholt and their sons Jeff, Ben and Andrew and their families. Her legacy lives on in her four kids, Shannon (Rob Giesbrecht) in Winnipeg, Avon in Toronto, Tara in Vancouver and Scott (Donna) in Bragg Creek. Gramma Lynne will be terribly missed by her adored grandchildren of whom she was so proud - Rebecca (Nick), Kate, Ian (Wren), Elizabeth (and her brand new baby Una) and Lexi Giesbrecht, Islay and Faryn Thompson, and Kelsey, Kealy, Kaila and Kohen MacFarlane. We are all privileged to have had Lynne as our mom and mentor. Thanks to all who helped in her final chapter these last few years as she struggled with the ravages of Alzheimer's. If friends desire, donations may be made to the Kay and Ed Russenholt Memorial Fund at the Winnipeg Foundation (1350-1 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 0X3 www.wpgfdn.org) or the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba (10-120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 4G2 www.Alzheimer.mb.ca) Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held in Winnipeg at a later date.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 04, 2015

Condolences & Memories (8 entries)

  • We had a condo in Apache Junction and met Lynne and Don there and became friends. I did some south western cross stitch and when Don saw it framed he wanted one just like it. I did it for them and they hung it in their bedroom in the condo. Lynne told me never had so many people had been in their bedroom, as Don took every visitor in to see it. He had a tee shirt with the saying "I'm retired and this is as dresed up as I get" I wouldn't take any money from making the the picture so they mailed me the same tee shirt which I loved. I am sooo sorry to hear they have both passed as I enjoyed the time we spent with them in Arizona. Your mom came and met me for lunch one day in Calgary which was a great visit. So sorry for your loss and it has taken me so long to find out about them both. - Posted by: Heather Hutson (Friend) on: Sep 29, 2020

  • My mother, Marjorie Gillies, idolized Lynne. They worked in the journalism business together and maintained their relationship over many years especially after Marj divorced and moved back to Winnipeg from Oakville to work at "The Trib". Lynne was very kind - a supreme virtue - generous with her time and knowledge helping Marj manage her financial affairs which was deeply appreciated. Lynne was indeed a great and special person who leaves a loving legacy. - Posted by: Ian Gillies (Son of Lynne's friend Marjorie Gillies) on: Nov 20, 2015

  • Our deepest condolences on the passing of your mom, Shannon. Although I never knew her, she sounds so much like you! Vibrant, intelligent, full of life and always with a project on the go. I know you cared for her and your dad so faithfully over the past several years and I'm sure she was aware of your love to the very end. Blessings and comfort on you all, Mark & Teresa Burke - Posted by: Mark & Teresa Burke (Friends of Shannon) on: Nov 08, 2015

  • I was sad to hear of Lynne's death and I'm sure you will miss your mother very much. Such a vibrant lady. Your father,Don,was my mother's first cousin.I remember visiting with your grandfather, my (great)Uncle Russell and Aunt Marjorie in the mid-seventies in Winnipeg. Don contacted many of us about our family tree quite a few years ago and then all was silent. All his first cousins on the Macfarlane side have now died, Betty Metcalfe in 2013 and Lorraine Hill in 2014. Russell was the second youngest of 12. - Posted by: Cathie Campbell (second cousin) on: Nov 06, 2015

  • Our sincere sympathy to the MacFarlane and Russenholt families. We have great memories of your years on Douglas Park Road. Bob & Linda Hamlilton, Patrick Hamilton, Shana Nagam, Shara Peterson and Shelly Easton. - Posted by: The Hamilton Family (Old neighbors and friends.) on: Nov 05, 2015

  • Champ, Fayre, Shannon and the rest of the family, I'm so sorry to hear of your lost. Although I didn't get to meet Lynne until a few years ago, she always had a sparkle in her eye and could brighten my day. I hope you can find peace now that she's back in the arms of the love of her life. Sending hugs! - Posted by: Leanne Drad (Family Friend of the Russenholt's) on: Nov 05, 2015

  • Scott, Donna and family.. So sorry to hear of your loss. This picture gives me a sense of her fun spirit and she was clearly a very accomplished and well loved woman. Sending my most sincere condolences.. Deirdre Egan - Posted by: Deirdre Egan (friend of Scott and Donna ) on: Nov 04, 2015

  • Gramma Lynne was a force for good in the world, and she touched many, many lives, including ours. Her legacy lives on in her children, her grandchildren and her community. You can be proud. With love from Sheila and Greg and family - Posted by: Sheila Grover and Greg Thomas (friends to Shannon, Rob and family) on: Nov 03, 2015

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