EDITH PARKIN

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EDITH PARKIN (BUZZA) Edith went peacefully to her well-earned rest on March 4, 2017 at the Grace Hospital, surrounded by her large and loving family. Born in Winnipeg's Misericordia Hospital on May 28, 1922, Edith lived her entire life in Winnipeg. She was predeceased by her mother Nellie Buzza (Johns), her father Henry Buzza, and her beloved husband Leslie Parkin. She is survived by her sons David (Arlene), and Alan (Christine). She is also survived by grandchildren Sandra, Richard, Greg, Brenda, Susan and Michael, great-grandchildren Bryan, Brett, Alex, Courtney, Kaley, Kristin, Jaime, Owen and Dylan, and the most recent and welcome arrival, great-great-grandchild Emma, plus many nieces and nephews here and in British Columbia. Edith lived the first 65 years of her life in the same house on Lipton Street prior to moving to Fort Garry after Dad's retirement. She attended Principal Sparling School, Daniel McIntyre Collegiate and Angus Business College prior to taking up work as a stenographer at the Manitoba Legislative Building and later in a lawyer's office. At school she played baseball and volleyball and sang in the choir. She also was a near lifelong member of St. Jude's Anglican Church on Home Street and sang in its choir for many years. At St. Jude's she was very involved in the Ladies Auxiliary and Scouts, and in her early years she volunteered in the Altar Guild along with her mother, who died when Edith was only 21. Mom had many friends including Ara Thompson who she had known since she was three years old and she was a wonderful neighbour to everyone living on Lipton Street. Those were the days when you knew everyone on your block and she did. Her mother, who was a nurse, was a legend on Lipton Street for her caring ways and Mom followed faithfully in her footsteps. She would be the first person at the door of any neighbour who was in need of help for whatever reason. She was also very close to her three cousins, John, Richard and Harvey Queau, all of whom predeceased her. After selling their cottage at Gull Lake, Mom and Dad spent many summer vacations and retirement years going on driving trips in Canada and the U.S.A. and they never failed to bring back gifts for almost everyone. They came back with scads of pictures of the places they visited and eagerly shared them. Some of our favourite pictures are of them posing at the various places they visited. Mom, along with Dad, was always present on family occasions and came out to support all of us in our respective sports and other activities. They were always a welcome presence, and in their later years whenever they were on hand at family events, there was almost a feeling of reverence that they were able to join us. Although they were kind and generous to everyone, their family was unquestionably the most important thing in their lives. They always showed the greatest of interest in anything that we were interested in and they supported us to the end. This fact was brought up over and over in the hospital on the day she died. They set the standard for honesty, decency, generosity and love. The depth of Mom's kindness was almost incomprehensible. Mom's love was not reserved for people. She also loved animals but especially her little dog Princess and couldn't bring herself to get another dog after she died. She always kept a picture of her on the wall above her bed. We wish to express our thanks to the staff of Tuxedo Villa where Mom spent the last 14 months of her life and where she received the best of care. The outpouring of affection and kind wishes when the staff learned of her passing was simply overwhelming. We also wish to thank staff at Grace Hospital, as well as Victoria Hospital at which Mom had an extended stay in late 2015 and early 2016, for the wonderful care she was given. In addition we would like to express our appreciation to the staff at The Rosewood Supportive Housing Complex where Mom lived for 15 months prior to her hospitalization 2015. No flowers please. Donations in her name to the Winnipeg Humane Society would be most appreciated. Good bye Mom. Until we meet again. Memorial service to be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Ave., across from Brookside Cemetery. Interment at Chapel Lawn, 4000 Portage Ave. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 08, 2017