GUDBJORG ESHMADE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

GUDBJORG (BERTHA) ESHMADE 1926 - 2016 It is with sad hearts that the Eshmade family would like to announce the passing of Gudbjorg (Bertha) Elizabeth Eshmade (nee Hislop) on March 25, 2016. Bertha leaves behind her husband of 55 years, Anthony (Tony) and her two daughters, Margaret and Jan (Chuck). Also left to mourn is her sister Alice (Arnold) Woodman, (Ontario). Bertha was born in Winnipeg and lived on College Street in St. James. She began her schooling at Assiniboine School and attended high school at Linwood School. After graduating high school, Bertha attended Business College and briefly worked in the office of McDonald Douglas Aircraft. Following this, she went to work at the Canadian Wheat Board as a Comptometer Operator and was moved to the Accounts Department as a bookkeeper, moving into working on international accounts for grain sales. Bertha maintained employment at the Wheat Board until retiring in April 1965. On January 23, 1959 on a Thursday evening YMCA Camera Club meeting, Bertha met Tony on his second day in Canada. Bertha and Tony shared a love of photography throughout their marriage. On August 27, 1960 Bertha and Tony were married at St. Paul's United Church in Winnipeg. In 1973 they designed and built their house on Ronald Street in St. James, which has remained the family home. In 1971, when Tony opened his own Structural Engineering office, Bertha became a partner and took on the role of company bookkeeper until failing eyesight in 2008 forced her to give up the work. Bertha enjoyed traveling throughout her entire life. Before marriage, she visited Scotland where her father was born, traveling across the Atlantic on one of the "Empress Line" ships. She also visited Florida and traveled in Canada and throughout the USA. As a family, there were regular trips to New Mexico, England and many different countries in Europe. In 1983, she and Tony volunteered to be chaperones for Margaret's high school trip to Europe, thus forming life-long friendships with the other chaperones on the trip. This group of people was very dear to Bertha's heart, she greatly looked forward to their annual get-togethers and enjoyed bringing her array of dainties to each event. Bertha has been the Hislop family Historian and spent many hours researching family information and lineage. She was an avid reader and was especially interested in Icelandic heritage as this was part of her background on her mother's side of the family. Subsequently, Bertha took Icelandic lessons at the University of Manitoba and traveled to Iceland with a relative in the mid 1970s. She was also very interested in her father's Scottish heritage and kept in touch with relatives in Scotland. Bertha took swimming lessons at the St. James YMCA and became a proficient swimmer. Bertha played golf regularly and was a member of the Canoe Club. As a young person, Bertha regularly attended Sunday school and later sang in the church choirs of the churches she attended, she took voice training and was an accomplished singer, often a soloist at many weddings. Bertha spent time playing the piano at home and on occasion for some of her groups. Volunteering and supporting her community were high priorities in Bertha's life. For many years, Bertha was a Brownie leader, a Girl Guide leader and for a time was a "Commissioner" for the local Guiding District, these were some of the happiest years of her life, she enjoyed working with and caring about young girls and successfully facilitated unique opportunities that only a girls club could offer. She also really adored her time as a C.G.I.T. leader and as a member of the C.G.I.T. Board. Bertha loved gardening and was always interested in flowers and propagating the continuation of the ones she had. Each spring, it was a mandatory requirement that we visited the various garden centres to select the coming summer's plants. Bertha enjoyed "Embroidery" and did some beautiful handwork which hangs on the family house walls. Bertha loved animals and was especially fond of each of the four cats the family had over the years. Our family would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff (ICCS, CCU and SA) at St. Boniface Hospital that cared for Bertha over the last three weeks of her life. The care she received from the health care team was exceptional; our family always felt well informed and supported and Bertha seemed confident in the care she was receiving. There are a few staff members our family would like to recognize. Mike (RN in CCU), Bertha absolutely adored you! She respected your skills and felt so safe on your care. Even during her last days, if we mentioned your name, every single time, a smile would spread across her face. Nelson (HCA-CCU), your kind and gentle mannerisms with Bertha and our family has forever touched our hearts. Debbie (SA-RN) and Joanne (float RN), your compassion and care for Bertha and our family have left a kind and gentle imprint in the memories of her last day; you both made this process more bearable and we found ourselves so incredibly grateful that you both were caring for Bertha. And Dr. Tam, your kind and respectful way helped support our family during a very difficult and sad time; you helped Bertha die with dignity and always checked in with the family to ensure we were all managing okay. Your compassion to Bertha and our family will never, ever be forgotten. Thank you. And lastly, the family would like to thank all of our friends and extended family that have supported us during this difficult time. Your kind words of encouragement and thoughtfulness has made a big impact on how we have coped during this unfortunate time. We feel so incredibly fortunate to have such wonderful people in our lives. We would like to extend a special thank you to Ethel and Alvin Hook; Bertha thought of you both as family and during these last few weeks, your support has been priceless to us. Bertha was loved and respected by all and will be sorely missed by those who knew her. A funeral service will take place on Friday, April 8, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Silver Heights United Church, 199 Garrioch Avenue with burial at Brookside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at St. Boniface Hospital Foundation or Darcy's A.R.C. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

Make a donation to

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 05, 2016