During GODFREY

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GODFREY: During a winter’s day on February 26, 1918 a baby girl was born to Lottie and Vern Tufts who owned a farm at NW 10-4-25 near Napinka, Manitoba. This baby was named after her Dad and was given the name Verna Irene. Irene as she was known had three older sisters Edna, Mildred and Olive, and they doted on their newest sister. Irene had a happy childhood. She often played with Mabel Bent who at that time lived in what was to later become the Evan Lewis home. Between Mabel and Irene they had themselves a mischievous time. Irene attended Purple Hill and Napinka schools. She obtained her Grade XI. Due to the dirty 30’s her dream of becoming a nurse was squashed as there was no money and no jobs. She spent her time helping her Mom with housework. Irene often told the story of how the wind and dirt blew and blew. Clothes were washed in the evening, placed in baskets and covered and at the crack of dawn, were hung out to dry. The clothes were brought in before the wind got up again for another day. During the 30’s a young Englishman named Walter Godfrey came to work for Vern Tufts. He became the love of Irene’s life and they were wed on November 9, 1940. They continued to live on the farm. Sorrow struck in the early 40’s as Irene’s mother at age 64 died of a stroke in 1941. In 1943 Irene’s dad age 64 also died of a stroke and her father-in-law Walter Godfrey Sr. (age 58) passed away due to failing health. In this sorrow joy also arrived in the birth of their son Arthur 1942 and their daughter Joan 1945. Irene enjoyed the role of farmer’s wife and motherhood. She also enjoyed having sister Edna, Joe and family across the road. Irene now had the name of “Mom” and a good mother she was. She guided our lives by example as Mom was a kind, good, honest lady with high morals. She often told us how lucky we were to be growing up surrounded by such good neighbors. She faithfully attended church and was a Sunday School Teacher at Purple Hill Church. She also belonged to the U.C.W. Mom enjoyed the local social activities. She enjoyed sports but due to back problems couldn’t participate. She especially liked the water and as an adult was taught how to float which she spent one Sunday afternoon doing at Oak Lake. She also spent the following week in bed recuperating with her back. Mother enjoyed the yearly summer visits when Dad’s family would arrive at different intervals from Winnipeg. Grandma Godfrey spent a month each fall with us which was special. We also remember relatives and friends visiting from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Mom was happiest when she had family dining around the table and her good cooking was always enjoyed. Mom had a special love for the farm and the trees which her Dad and sister Edna planted. As Mom had spent her 63 years on the farm she was sad to leave when they retired to Melita in 1981. She very much enjoyed Melita and their friends. She was very pleased to have sister Mildred and husband George nearby. While in Melita she continued with the Napinka W.I. and found she could bowl with no back problems. Mother felt life was at its best just enjoying each day and her family. She especially loved and received much joy from her five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Mom’s health started failing in the late 90’s. Our father passed away in February 1999 and Mom had to move to Rideau Park Personal Care Home in Brandon to be close to Art and Joan. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and suffered with failing health for ten years. Mom passed away on April 17, 2009 at the age of 91, with her family by her bedside. Mom was predeceased by husband Walter, son-in-law Ron Gloor, parents Vernon and Lottie, her mother and father-in-law Isobel and Walter Godfrey Sr., her three sisters and spouses Edna and Joe Elliott, Mildred and George Dodds and Olive and Norman Godfrey. She was also predeceased by sister- in-law Doreen Schneider and brother-in-law Ernest Godfrey, nephew Reg Elliott, great-nephew Vernon Elliott, great-niece Jocelyn Brigden and great-great-nephew Mark Miner. She leaves to cherish her memory her son Art (Iona), her daughter Joan, five grandchildren, Barton (Sandra) Gloor, Crystal (Mike) Hollas, Shauna (Brett) Watt, Michael (Trista) Godfrey, Kim (Patrick) Shrupka and her great-grandchildren Melanie and Kelsey Gloor, Jasmyn, Julie and Janaya Watt, Zachary, Sammy and Kasey Shrupka and Grace Godfrey. She also leaves to mourn sister-in-law and brother- in-law Joey and Joe Lechman, sister-in-law Kathy Godfrey, brother-in-law Maurice Schneider and many nieces and nephews. The ceremony to celebrate Mom’s Life was held on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at Melita United Church with Jeri Bjornson officiating and Evelyn Andrews as organist. Pallbearers were grandsons Barton Gloor and Michael Godfrey, nephews Bob Elliott and Derek Elliott and family friends Ken Lewis and Tom Lewis. Eulogy was given by son Arthur, a reading “Mothers” by granddaughter Crystal Hollas and scriptures by granddaughters Shauna Watt and Kim Shrupka. Interment was at Napinka Cemetery. Redpath Funeral Home of Melita were in charge of arrangements. Mother treasured a picture that belonged to her Mom and was made by family many years ago. This picture bore the inscription “No Cross No Crown”. Our mother hung this in each of her three homes. Our mother surely had a heavy cross to bear for ten years and our last wish for her is that she will now have a wonderful crown. Mother - You will forever live in our hearts.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 02, 2009