Mabel DUNBAR

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DUNBAR: Mabel May (nee Higgens) passed away peacefully at her residence Valleyview Personal Care Centre on Monday, November 9, 2009. May was born on May 1, 1914 to Edwin Charles Higgens and Mabel Gertrude (nee Drake) Higgens. She completed all of her schooling in Brandon. After completing high school, she went to work for Mona's Ladies Wear for a number of years and also for Brown's Drug Store. She left Brandon for some time and went to live and work in Chicago, Illinois. When World War II broke out, she was informed that she had to move back to Canada and took up residence again in the family home at 235-22nd Street. After returning to Brandon, she accepted a job with Metropolitan Life. During this time, she met the love of her life, Ira Millen Dunbar, and they were married on November 10, 1953. They subsequently moved to Uncle Millen's farm in North Portal, SK and together they farmed until moving back to Brandon in 1974, taking up residence again in the family home on 22nd Street. She resided in the family home until October 2008, when illness forced her to move to Valleyview, where she resided until her passing. Fraternally, May was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Estevan, SK and Portal, ND, the ladies of Kem Temple Shrine Club in Grand Forks, ND and also the ladies of the Brandon & District Shrine Club. She belonged to Seniors for Seniors and the Antique Club in Brandon. She took many memorable bus trips with Seniors & McPhail Travel. May was a very independent, strong willed woman who lived life to the fullest. She loved her family, cats, flowers, antiques and collectables, the outdoors and until she was no longer able, tended to her raspberry canes, and her strawberry plants. Her yard at the back of the house was full of flowers, trees and bushes of every kind. She loved their cottage at Clear Lake and during the years that they went to the lake, made many new friends and acquaintances. May was predeceased by her parents; husband Ira Millen Dunbar, brothers James Henry (Harry), Edwin William (Ted), and Wilbert Thomas (Bud), and her nephew James Edwin (Jim). She is survived by nieces, Marilyn Sheridan, Joan Gaeta (David), Lorraine Ditchfield, Delwyn Higgens (Michael Davey), ten great nieces and nephews, eleven great great nieces and nephews, and a very special friend Ken Sarvis. She will also be missed by many cousins, friends and neighbors. May was a very hospitable and remarkable lady, who could relate to adults, younger people and also children and was always someone that could be leaned on with a sympathetic ear. We are all going to miss her greatly. As per May's wishes a Graveside Ceremony was held at the Brandon Cemetery on Saturday, November 14, 2009. Mona Franklin officiated. Friends who wish, may make a donation in memory of May to the Canadian Diabetes Association, B-727-10th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 4G7 or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, #3-824-18th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 5B7. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.comThe family would like to thank Mays' doctors, the Home Care Staff, all of the staff at Valleyview Care Centre for the wonderful care given to May during the last three years, and the help and guidance provided to the family during this difficult time. A big thank you to Vern Schneider and staff from Memories Chapel, and a big thank you to Mona Franklin for a very meaningful service. Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.REST IN PEACE "AUNTY MAY" WE LOVE YOU

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 21, 2009