Mae EDWARDS

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EDWARDS: The family of Mae M. Edwards (nee Noakes) are saddened to announce the passing of a beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother on July 11, 2011 at the age of 98 years. She was born on November 5, 1912 in Winnipeg to William and Mabel Noakes, moving to Brandon in 1921. As her father was a newspaper editor, she also lived in Ottawa and Regina, prior to the move here. She married Jack Edwards on June 11, 1938 and together they worked hard raising daughter, Marguerite and son Bill. They lived approximately half of their married lives at 20th and Princess Ave. and the remaining time on 23rd Street. Mom was very independent and still lived on her own, right up till her hospitalization nine weeks ago. Mom worked her whole life with the public; first at Woolworth's, then for decades at Eaton's in the "Notions" and sewing department. Many seamstresses or those "in training" got valuable assistance from her over the years. She loved people and was very involved in community most of her life. From the West End Community Centre to Rebekahs, A.C.W. and U.C.T, she volunteered extensively. Mom and Dad were instrumental, along with two other couples, in starting U.C.T's Travo bingo and she rarely missed a night selling tickets well into her 80's. Different venues around Brandon also found her as a bingo player 2-3 times a week. She was quite lucky but mostly enjoyed the socializing. She found another passion in her later life and that was her "slots"; always a winner even if she spent much more than she made! Following Dad's retirement, they discovered Hawaii and made several trips there before health issues became a concern. The true love of her life though was her family and she was a wonderful parent and Mom-in-law to us. When her only grandchildren, Kristal and Todd came into her life, there were few people who didn't see or hear of their many awesome features and feats! That joy just kept increasing as the grandkids married Daryn and Brenda and then added four precious great-grandchildren: Brittany and Brendan Laminman and Dylan and Halle Edwards. Mom was predeceased by her parents, our Dad in 2000, Marguerite in 2005, all of her brothers and sister-in-laws: James Noakes (Mary), William, Edward (Eleanor), Harmon (Betty), Art (Jessie). Also pre-deceasing her were all of Dad's family; Gordon (Mary), Len (Doris), Tom (Thelma, Jean), Daisy (Jack) McLeod and Dolly (Ed) Bond. Numerous nieces and nephews survive, including Don and Louise Edwards, who assisted Mom over the years in many ways. The family would like to thank her dedicated home caregivers as well as special neighbours, Sheila and Dot, who all helped in enabling her to stay in her own home all these years. A celebration of Mae's life will be held at Memories Chapel, 330 - 18th Street North on Friday (today), July 15, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Arlene Robertson will officiate. A private interment will be held at the Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Flowers are gratefully declined, but if desired, donations to either the Manitoba Lung Association, 8 - 940 Princess Ave. Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 0P6 or charity of choice would be welcomed.Expressions of sympathy may be made atwww.memorieschapel.com.Arrangements are with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jul 15, 2011