MAE (BRANDSTROM) POSTON (WHITESIDE)

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MAE (BRANDSTROM) POSTON (nee WHITESIDE) March 27, 1916 - March 15, 2018 Peacefully, after a long and happy life of almost 102 years, our beloved mother and grandmother, Mae Poston passed away on March 15, 2018 at the Eriksdale Personal Care Home. Mae is survived by her four children, Beverley (Paul) Johnson, Carolyn Thorlacius, Wilfred Brandstrom and Neil (Anna) Brandstrom, her 12 grandchildren, Debbie (Dr. Werner) Pieterse, Lorraine (Kelly) Johnson, Greg (Teresa) Johnson, Marlene Johnson, Barb Pschulski, Brad Thorlacius, Arne Thorlacius, Cheryl (Steve) Taylor, Kristi (Tim) Brandstrom Luik, Kelli (Ian) Stewart, Leana (Brian) Smith and Lori (Terry) Siwak, her 21 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends of all ages. She was predeceased by her parents, William and Agnes Whiteside, her siblings Bill, Agnes, Jean and three in childhood, her mother and father-in-law, Oscar and Britta Erika Brandstrom, her husband of 48 years, Arne Brandstom, her husband of 21 years, Ralph Poston, and her sons-in-law, Ed Klepatz and Oli Thorlacius. Mae Whiteside was born to Scottish immigrants, William and Agnes Whiteside. In the early years they moved around in Winnipeg, eventually settling west of Eriksdale when she was a teenager. She worked as a domestic until she and Arne were married. Mae and Arne enjoyed their life together, working hard to raise a family and develop a successful ROP poultry farm. They enjoyed community events, activities and playing cards with neighbours. One of her greatest challenges in life came during the first year that they were married, when Arne contracted tuberculosis and had to convalesce in a sanatorium for 15 months. During his absence, Mae kept the farm going and gave birth to their first child, Beverley. Mae was always active in her community. For many years, she was a 4-H leader and eventually worked as a 4-H Aide. She served on the executive of many local organizations, such as the Nyland School Board, the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, the Co-op, the MSOS, the New Horizons Club and later on started a book club at Lindenwood Manor. She was an accomplished sewer, putting her talents to use to make clothes for her children in the early days, and countless quilts for all of her family members in her retirement, with Arne helping as her piece cutter. Arne passed away suddenly in 1987; after three lonely years, Mae found love again and married long-time friend Ralph Poston. They had many good years together, enjoying travelling the country, spending winters at the coast and playing in a bridge club with friends. The talent that Mae was probably best known for was her skill in cooking and baking. This was one of the many ways that she showed her love and care for others, with no detail being overlooked. The house always smelled of freshly baked buns and cookies. She was also an expert canner in her day, feeding her family well with the cache from her cellar. Coffee was always on, and no one ever left her home hungry. Mom always went the extra mile for her family. Right to her very last day she had a way of making each one of us feel special. She is cherished and will be very missed. We would like to thank the staff of the Eriksdale and Fisher Personal Care Homes and the E. M. Crowe Hospital for their kindness and the loving care that they gave our mother. A celebration of Mae's life will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Eriksdale Recreation Centre (upstairs). If friends so desire, a donation may be made to the E. M. Crowe Hospital Guild (for use in the Eriksdale Personal Care Home) c/o Irene Sigurdson, Box 474, Eriksdale, MB R0C 0W0 or to a charity of your choice. Afterglow (A Poem Selected by Mae) I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles, when life is done. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways. Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun Of happy memories that I leave. When life is done. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOME Ashern - Lundar 1-204-768-2072 1-866-323-3593

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 28, 2018