ASTRID MARIE MCLEARY (HALVARSON)

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ASTRID MARIE MCLEARY (nee HALVARSON) October 6, 1919 - October 10, 2018 It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our dearest, eldest and wittiest family member, Astrid, at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre. She had many wonderful memories in her 99 years with us that we'd like to share with you. She will be sincerely missed by her son Bob (Wendy), and her daughter Val (Dave) Stewart; her grandchildren, Rob McLeary, Shelly (Patrick) Simoens and Mike (Caroline) Stewart; and great-grandchildren, Adaria, Avery, Jack, Emery and Cooper. She was predeceased by her loving husband Jack; an infant son Henry David; and her parents, Emma and David Halvarson. She also leaves to mourn her youngest sister Clarice Ann (Holger) Lorenzen, and sister-in-law Jackie West, as well as many other family members and friends. Mom was born in Minnedosa and lived in Erickson on the family farm with her seven sisters and one brother, who she adored. Mom loved to share those stories with us, as her family meant a great deal to her. There was always laughter when the sisters got together for holidays or special occasions. We don't recall mom ever saying an ill word about her family. As a young woman she ventured into Winnipeg and worked as a nanny for a dentist's family and this turned out really well for her as she had her dental work done for free. Mom and Dad were married on October 9, 1940 in Minnedosa. Mom's first-born Henry David (1946) only lived for seven hours, they went on to have a son Bob (1947) and a daughter Val (1949). In 1950 they moved to St. James, just in time to share their home with the Dare family that were displaced by the flooding. Growing up during the "Dirty Thirties" it was instilled in her to count her pennies to make ends meet, so once married there were always trips to more than one grocery store to purchase only those items that were on sale in the flyers. Mom volunteered and taught catechism at both the Erickson Lutheran and St. James Presbyterian Churches. Mom and Dad were both life members of the Arborg Royal Canadian Legion Branch 161. It was at the Women's Auxiliary that she, Jean Buchko and the other Legion ladies perfected the art of making and serving pancakes and sausages for their Saturday morning fundraisers. Her love of sausages originated in her early years when Mom and her sister Signe were employed at Brandon Packers. For years, afterwards, they talked about the two girls from Erickson that had the biggest schmozola ever on the sausage production line and after that, if anyone in the family blundered, they were briefly referred to as a "Sausage". As Mom was born into a large family, it was by no coincidence she became an outstanding cook, baker and housekeeper. Her butter tarts had to be hidden until dessert was served, and even though the recipe was shared, you could never quite match those of the Old Swedes. Christmas was her only season to bake coffee bread, so it will always be a special memory to smell the aroma of toasted cardamom on Christmas morning. She treasured our pets Dusty, Skipper and Peter, the budgie, who could speak both English and Swedish. Once their children were married, Mom and Dad moved from their house on Sturgeon Road to an apartment in East Kildonan going back and forth to their cottage at Valhalla Beach, where they eventually retired. When Dad's health declined they moved into Selkirk. Together Mom and Dad had many enjoyable trips, vacationing in Port Alberni, Victoria, Fort William, Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta and as Winter Texans in Weslaco. When driving, Mom was always the co-pilot and acted as Dad's first GPS (Guiding Passenger System). Mom loved to read, knit, crochet, sew, garden, camp and feed the birds, however she was happiest with a phone in her hand, talking to her many regular callers. She always looked forward to bingo and card games with her family and friends but it was at cribbage that she excelled and got much joy in teaching the game to any one that had the patience to learn. From an early age, she was a true "Blue Bomber" fan and when the "Winnipeg Jets" arrived she never missed their games on TV. She always cheered twice as hard as anyone else, because she thought the replays were the next play in the game. Astrid would like to express her everlasting thanks to the doctors and staff at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre, Arborg Hospital, Woodland Courts and Tudor House for their compassionate care. The family would also like to say a special thank you to Lee Drabik, her good friend at Woodland Courts. Astrid's wishes were to be cremated with a private gathering of the immediate family. Flowers are gratefully declined. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations in Astrid's memory can be made to a charity of your choice. To celebrate her life, please say a kind word to someone if you are angry, or pass on a compliment to make a person feel better if you are upset with them. Mom lived her life epitomizing the saying "Kill them with Kindness". May God rest her kind and gentle soul. Arrangements entrusted to: Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home - 204 885-9715 Family and friends are invited to sign the Guest Book at www.chapellawn.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 13, 2018