ROSALEEN MARGARET BRECKNELL

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ROSALEEN MARGARET BRECKNELL February 17, 1925 - March 8, 2016 Rosaleen passed away after years of facing the ravages of Alzheimer's. Predeceased in 2010 by Bill, her husband of 60 years. Mourned by her children, Cathy, Sharon (Art) and Michael (Denise); and her beloved grandchildren, Caitlin, Patrick, Daniel, Elizabeth, Vincent and Matthew. Born and raised in Winnipeg in a large Irish Catholic family she is also predeceased by her brothers Larry, Jerry, Edward, Donol and Joe and fondly remembered by her sisters Maureen and Sheila, her brother's wives and her many nieces and nephews. Rosaleen was devoted to her faith, her husband and her family. She was active in parish life of the Catholic Church believing it important to regularly perform charitable works as an integral component of her faith. She loved to dance and trained in a variety of disciplines. She enjoyed the arts, particularly anything related to Irish culture. She was vivacious and outgoing while at the same time both civil and proper but never stuffy. Mom embodied the important values of honesty, hard work, kindness and good manners. She insisted on the correct use of language both when writing and speaking. She loved to write letters and notes on beautiful stationary. She believed good conversation was an art and she enjoyed spirited discussions on a wide range of topics from politics to travel to gardening. Rosaleen was very active throughout her life and she loved to walk; an activity she said came naturally from accompanying her father on his route as a letter carrier. She believed in the value of healthy food; how it was grown, prepared and presented. She ensured that her children knew how to prepare healthy meals long before they left home. For 25 years she embraced the life as the wife of a career Airforce man becoming an expert in organizing and packing through their many moves throughout Canada. Although she was first a wife and mother, Rosaleen worked from time to time outside the home in various retail stores, at the post office, at a marina, in government and private offices including being the secretary to a young lawyer named John Turner who went on to be Prime Minister. Mom loved to travel. As a young woman she was one of the early stewardesses with Canadian Pacific Airlines, flying all over western Canada. During Bill's many years in the Airforce the family travelled the length and breadth of the country. In retirement they travelled extensively by all modes of transport all over the world returning with stories, photos and mementos of their adventures. Rosaleen and Bill retired to Sidney, BC in 1974 and moved to Parksville in 1990 for the quieter small town feel they both enjoyed. When Bill died Mom moved to a complex care facility in Victoria where she resided until her death. Rosaleen's Mass of Christian Burial was held on March 14 at Holy Cross Parish. There will be a Memorial Service for both Rosaleen and Bill on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Memorial Garden of Memories at 4725 Falaise Drive, Saanich, BC. Condolences may be sent to: www.firstmemorialfuneral.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 16, 2016