OLGA VERA ATKINSON

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OLGA VERA ATKINSON (nee PRODAN) June 10, 1914 - July 8, 2016 Olga passed away peacefully in her sleep, at 102 years old, on Friday, July 8, 2016, the day after Dena's birthday. Olga was bright, clear thinking and comfortable right to the end. She was born on June 10, 1914 in Dauphin, Manitoba, the daughter of Cornelius and Paraska Prodan. Cornelius was a well-known agrologist in Manitoba and Paraska was a school teacher. Passing away before Olga were her dear husband Robert (Bob) (in 2003), and her brother Leslie. Survived by her daughter Dena, brother Denis Prodan (in Calgary), nieces and nephews. A Science graduate from University of Manitoba, Olga worked on weed seed analysis in Winnipeg and as a Research Assistant on mycology and seed-borne diseases for Agriculture Canada in Ottawa. She met Bob (a Ph.D. Research Scientist) - both working at the lab in Ottawa - and they married in 1947. Bob, Olga and Dena lived in St. Catharines, ON and Victoria, BC. Always a thinker, Olga enjoyed identifying plants and birds; going out for walks; reading; classical and oldies music; television programs about gardening, nature, cooking; nutrition; world news; radio; crossword puzzles; dogs and cats. Her bright smile, kind heart and gentle being continue to shine always. A heartfelt thank you to Olga's doctor and the staff at Glenwarren Lodge in Victoria, BC for their wonderful care of Olga. McCall Bros Funeral Directors Ltd. Two poems written by Dena: Little robin red breast Do what you do best: Sit in the holly tree And sing for me. Eating holly berries Makes you merry. Whistle loud and clear So I can hear And get my fill From your trills. "Chirpity-chirp-chirp, Tweety-tweet-tweet" You say On this special Mother's Day. Little bird, I see not Where you are, But in your song Mum is always near and dear, In my heart And in my thoughts. ---------------- For you my loving greeting Because you are The sweetest thing. For me every day Is Mother's Day. Go onward into the light From whence you first Came to be. There you will find Yourself and Dad and me And loving family. -------------- Although Mum is gone, I will keep on talking to her and singing to her. Even in the quiet, I sense that Mum is right here with me: she sings along, reaches for my hand to kiss it, and Mum and I (Dena) say to each other "I love you". Sleep well, Mum and "go onward into the light".

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 23, 2016