BLANCHE BARRETT

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BLANCHE (THOMSON) BARRETT (nee DUBOIS) The Lord answered Mom's prayers and has taken her Home. Mom passed peacefully on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at the age of 91. Blanche (Bea) was predeceased by her first husband of 34 years, David Irwin Thomson and her second husband of 23 years, Raymond Cyril Barrett; brothers, Francis and Edward; and sisters, Isobel, Cecile and Evelyn. She is lovingly remembered by her only daughter Doreen Benzies and her husband Donald. She was Aunt "Bea" to Heather Kupchenko, John Benzies and Great-Grandma to Mackenzie Kupchenko. She is also lovingly remembered by her new family Alvin (Gloria) Barrett, Vernon (Ellen) Barrett, Valerie (Bob) Poole and numerous grandchildren and great-grand-children. Thank you all for welcoming Mom into your large family. Your continuing to care for her after your Dad's passing was indicative of your love for her. Mom was born in Winnipeg, MB, November 15, 1925 to Francis and Isobel Dubois. She grew up in the West End and attended Principal Sparling School. She worked at Stovels from 1942 to 1963 and for the Provincial Government l963 to 1983. In her younger years, Mom attended Calvary Temple where she met and married David, my Dad. Mom and Dad attended Windsor Park Evangelical Free Church and later Mom and Ray attended All People's Church in Falcon Lake. She was a member of The Order of Eastern Star - East Kildonan Chapter #22, Choir director in Bethel #5 International Order of Jobs Daughters, Member of the seniors group WINFAL and Volunteered at CancerCare for many years. From an early age, Mom's love for children had her "spreading her wings" and helping all the children that she could whether it was by caring for wards of CAS or by helping friends. "Auntie Bea" looked after three-year-old Susan on weekdays for five years, forming a friendship/bond/love which remains to this day. Music was always important to Mom and you knew she was happy when she was heard singing. She was fortunate to be Blessed with a beautiful Soprano voice and shared her gift by performing solo or with numerous choirs. Mom spent 70 plus years at the family cottage at Ingolf, Ontario. She enjoyed the beauty of nature at the lake with both of her husbands, either blueberry picking, fishing, feeding fox, birds or ducks. We were fortunate that Mom could enjoy cottage time with us at the lake into her 90th year and we celebrated this time with neighbours, family and friends. Over the last few years Mom has enjoyed living in Agape Villa and lately in the Seine River Retirement Residence, albeit all too short. The family wishes to thank Christine White, RN at Seine River Retirement Residence, all staff at St. Boniface Hospital 6A South and especially Dr. Chuck Arnold for their compassion and support. A viewing will be held on Monday, April 10, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue with a private interment to follow at a later time. A memorial service will be held at the Cornerstone Alliance Church, 1100 Autumnwood Drive in Windsor Park at 2:00 p.m. Monday April 24, 2017. If you wish, a donation may be made to the charity of your choice. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book, please visit our website. CHAPEL LAWN www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 08, 2017