EMILY MARY OSBORNE

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EMILY MARY OSBORNE (nee EIBNER) December 7, 1922 - October 16, 2016 Emily Mary (Eibner) Osborne passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the Golden Door Geriatric Centre, in Winnipeg. She was born December 7, 1922, in Winnipeg, the daughter and fourth child of Edward and Susan Eibner. She was predeceased by her parents, her brothers, Edward (Eddie), Francis (Frank), her sister Cecilia and her brother-in-law Olie. She is survived by her sister Margaret and by her brother Leonard and his wife Heather. Emily's two daughters are Susan (Scott Smallwood) and Debbie (Robert Dupas). Her grandchildren are Andrew and Stephen Smallwood, Nicole (Erin Parent) and Camille (David Banks) Dupas. Emily graduated from St. Mary's Academy and studied at a Winnipeg business school before joining the workforce at age 19. Her first job was in Winnipeg's grain industry as a comptometer operator. Emily held increasingly senior positions during her long working career. She retired in 1987, at the age of 65, as an administrator with the Manitoba government SAFER (Shelter Allowance for Elderly Renters) program. Emily enjoyed a rich and full life as a single mother, caregiver, sister and career woman. While raising Susan and Debbie, she also took care of her aging parents, who lived with her until their passing. She managed immense responsibilities with strength, resilience and great kindness. She was the matriarch of her family and was often called upon to provide support and guidance, not only to her immediate family, but also to her many nieces and nephews. Many of them will fondly remember visits to Auntie Emmy, where a hug, advice and sometimes a place to stay overnight, when going home was too much to bear, were always available - no questions asked. In more recent years, she took great joy in her role as grandmother. She deeply loved her grandchildren and was proud of all their accomplishments. She especially enjoyed spending time with them and rarely missed an opportunity to bake cookies for them. Emily also had a close relationship with her sister Margaret. They were best friends who loved and respected each other deeply. They did just about everything together, from raising families, shopping and travelling, to having their hair done together every Thursday. Some of Emily's favourite things included reading, doing crossword puzzles and caring for her pets that she regarded as family members. She was a wonderful cook, and her holiday meals were always true extravaganzas. Like her mother, Emily was a talented seamstress and took great pleasure in making beautiful garments for her daughters and family members. For nieces, Christmas often meant a new dress made by Aunty Emmy. Throughout most of her life, Emily was an avid golfer, curler and bowler. She had a wide circle of friends and treasured time spent among them laughing, singing and dancing to the music of the big bands. She also loved to travel with her brother Eddie and his wife Helen, and with her little sister Margie and her husband Olie Alto. Mom, we are happy that your recent days of increasing confusion and fear are finally over. Rest in peace. We will always miss you. In life, Mom always enjoyed fresh flowers, but she has left us now and we know her wish would be that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to the Golden Door Geriatric Centre at 1679 Pembina Highway, in Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Humane Society or both. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Vital Catholic Church, 1629 Pembina Highway. Directly following the service, Mom's ashes will be interred with the remains of her parents at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, in Winnipeg. A reception will follow at a location to be announced at the funeral.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 29, 2016