Rose MORGAN CLARKE

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MORGAN CLARKE: Rose Morgan Clarke passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre in her 90th year. Rose was born at Horod, Manitoba on November 5, 1921 to Theodora and John Buternowsky. She would become one of fifteen siblings. Her family remained important to her throughout her life. At fourteen years of age, Rose left the farm to work as a hired girl. She gained a reputation as being dependable and a hard worker. In her late teens she moved to Brandon and became employed at the Princess Café. Rose missed the farm life and returned to work as a hired girl meeting Walter Morgan, the hired man, who became her husband in December of 1941. Rose and Walter resided in the southwest Manitoba communities of Cromer, Griswold and Virden. Walter was employed as a section man. Rose efficiently ran her home, becoming an accomplished cook, gardener, painter, seamstress and needle-worker. Meanwhile, she and Walter were raising their four children: Mervyn, Barry, Maxine and Rick. The family moved to Virden in 1964. Rose decided to return to work and was employed for many years at Larry’s Café. Several years later she changed occupations becoming employed in the kitchen at the Sherwood Personal Care Home. In December of 1976, Rose left the Sherwood to care for Walter full time until his passing of lung cancer in May of 1977. Rose returned to work until she was 67 at the Westman Nursing Home in the kitchen. She was a member of the United Church and the Virden Al-Anon Group. Rose played softball with the Cromer Ladies Ball Club and enjoyed curling in Griswold, Cromer and Virden. Rose spent her retirement enjoying her yard and garden. She did a bit of traveling. Her grandchildren were lucky to have her close. In 1999, Rose married Bruce Clarke of Virden. They were married for nine years when Bruce passed away in May of 2008. Rose continued to live in Virden until October of 2009 when she moved to Victoria Landing in Brandon. She was happy to be residing in the same facility as her sisters: Stella, Sadie and Sadie’s husband Cliff. Failing health dictated a move into Dinsdale Personal Care Home in November, 2010. Rose quickly felt at home and rarely could be found in her room. Rose remained fiercely independent until her passing. Her family and friends are left with memories of the high value Rose placed on hard work, a good education, the pleasure in gardening, the joy of family, and her belief a good cup of tea might not solve every problem but it was a great place to start. “Mom we will miss you.” Rose is survived by daughter Maxine Morgan (Brent Fitzpatrick), son Rick (Susan) Morgan, daughter- in-law Dianne Morgan and daughter-in-law Nancy Morgan, ten grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters: Sadie Munro, Marjorie Charney, Stella Handzuk and brother Tom (Tena) Buternowsky, as well as many nieces, nephews and their children. She was predeceased by both husbands, sons Kenneth Lee, Barry and Mervyn as well as son-in-law Allan Taylor andeleven siblings. The Ceremony to Celebrate Rose’s Life will be held at Memories Chapel, 330 – 18th Street North on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Shannon McCarthy will officiate. Interment will be in the Virden Cemetery, Virden, Manitoba. Flowers are gratefully declined. Friends who wish may make a donation in Rose’s memory to the Virden Hospital Auxiliary, Box 400, Virden, Manitoba, R0M 2C0 or the Westman Dreams for Kids Foundation, Unit 202, 37 –11th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 4J2. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements are with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 05, 2011