FERN STEWART (BURNS) PETERS

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FERN STEWART (BURNS) PETERS May 19, 1927 - September 12, 2017 Fern passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Fern was born in Winnipeg to James Burns and Elizabeth (Lockhart) Burns and was one of three children. Fern graduated from Glenlawn Collegiate and furthered her education by completing a business course at Angus Business College. Her first job was working at Eaton's in the stationery department. Fern met Dad in grade five at Windsor School. They were married on May 14, 1949 at Regent Park United Church. They were best of friends. Their's was a marriage to admire. They began their married life in St. Vital with Dad starting his life-long career with CNR at Fort Rouge Shops and Transcona Shops. It wasn't long before children started to arrive. First Elaine, then Brian and Claire. Once the children were in school, Fern found employment as the Executive Secretary for the Superintendent of Schools for Transcona-Springfield School Division for 20 years. She really enjoyed the challenge of the job and the friendship with her co-workers. Mom was very active in her fraternal organization, Eastern Star. She has been a member for over 65 years, being an officer of Worthy Matron (twice); Grand Chaplain and Grand Representative (twice). Mom enjoyed all the meetings, conferences, conventions and road trips with her Eastern Star Sisters. Mom's faith, family and friends were very important to her. She had a life-long love of music. She sang in many choirs: Transcona Memorial United Church, her church in Florida for 20 years and the Eastern Star Choir for 65 years. Fern was a charter member of the United Church Women at Transcona Memorial United Church. Mom loved to bake, crochet, knit, play cards and follow her favourite sports team. She would often be found discussing the stats with her sons-in-law and grandchildren. Mom and Dad enjoyed travelling. They had an opportunity to visit Ireland, Mom's Irish cousins, and her parents' birthplace. Mom spent her retirement years with Dad at their cottage at Grand Beach, Manitoba and their home in Clearwater, Florida, enjoying the company of many friends. Fern has always been "our rock" and "our inspiration", very independent, open to change, a woman before her time, a positive outlook in every situation. Fern was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We are so grateful and privileged to have had her as our mother, grandmother, sister, auntie and friend....a wonderful role model. We will all miss her very much. Fern will also be missed by the "Irish Connection". Fern's cousins are the descendants of the original three families that emigrated from Ireland. The Burns family, the Lockhart family and the Smullen family. Fern was predeceased by her husband George, and her brother-in-law Ken Toews. Fern is survived by her sisters Gladys Evenson (Ed) and Edith Toews; her children Elaine Drewry (Ken), Brian Peters and Claire Krupski (Garry); grandchildren Colleen Drewry (Kevin), Steven Drewry (Noelle), Mark Bridges (Ali), Diandra Bridges, Jenna Freeman (Steve), Courtney O'Mahony (Patrick), Whitney Peters, Jamie Peters, McKinna Peters (Scott), Richard Neill (Heather) and Erin Lamb (Doug), as well as 10 great-grandchildren: Sarah, Allyssa, Elle, Harper, Reece, Hugo, Rylee, Sydnee, Joni, Mathew, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Clendenan, Dr. Harris and the wonderful staff at Concordia Hospital. A funeral celebration of Fern's life will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at Transcona Memorial United Church, 209 Yale Ave. West, Transcona, MB. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Wheeler Funeral Home www.wheelerfuneral.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 16, 2017