CAROL SIGURDSON

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CAROL SIGURDSON Carol Thora Sigurdson passed away on August 16, 2015 at the Kelowna General Hospital. She was predeceased by her parents, Mundi and Mary Sigurdson, brother Lorne, her first husband, Fred Gudmundson, and their son, Fredrick Brett Gudmundson. She is survived by her husband, Mathew Swan, sisters Brenda and Charlene, son Darren Gudmundson, grandchildren Darcy, Arron, Leif and Grace. Additionally, Mathew's three sons and five grandchildren. Carol was a feminist with socialist beliefs and ideals. She was fiercely independent and spent the better part of her life advocating for and working with people to help them realize their potential and fulfill their dreams. She loathed the bully, would not tolerate the slacker, did not suffer fools gladly, and if you emerged in self-pity you would be quickly set straight. For more than 20 years Carol worked for the government and people of Manitoba. In 1972 she led the creation of the ACCESS program. A program that gave First Nations people the opportunity to attend post-secondary institutions in Manitoba. Later she became the Director of Manitoba Student Aid. In 1993 / 1994 Carol lead the development and creation of the Students Services Office in the newly created University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) in Prince George. Carol was always a very genuine person, and her family and friends, especially her grandchildren, greatly appreciated the attention she gave to each of them. She was an avid reader, gardener, and bridge player. As well as a wonderful cook who loved to share her food with others. She maintained an extensive network of friends from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia. Always proud of her Icelandic and prairie heritage she took the time to travel to Iceland on several occasions and maintained contact with relatives she discovered, and the friends she made there. Carol loved the grain elevators of the prairies. To her, they represented community, family, and independence. Their disappearance saddened her greatly. She spoke often and fondly of her growing up on the prairies. There is no question - it was home. Carol Thora Sigurdson is buried at the Pioneer Cemetery in Mozart, Saskatchewan. Carol will be deeply missed by all.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 21, 2015