Edith JAMES

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

(Macaulay) JAMES: On Saturday, April 20, 2013, Mom was swiftly taken from us and will be missed. A celebration of her long and happy life was held Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Central United Church officiated by Rev. Shannon McCarthy. Edith Olive (Macaulay) James (nee Smith) was born on October 22, 1926 with the help of midwife Gran Mosson to proud parents George and Caroline Smith. She was named after godmother Edith Williamson and her aunt Olive. She was born and raised in Alexander where she also attended school, and in later life she was very proud to complete grade 12 by correspondence. In 1939, at the age of 13, she started working at Blair’s Store in Alexander. She worked there until 1953. In the same year she married Donald Macaulay and started working at Fedoruk’s Grocery Store at the meat counter in Brandon. Even back then she was always on the go and busy, this is how she earned the nickname “Speed”. They lived with Don’s parents in Brandon on Dennis Street until 1956, when they moved out to Kemnay and started farming. Edith and Don had one daughter, Donna Lee, in 1957. They were joined by Edith’s mother, Caroline, as well as long-time hired hand and friend Val Jackson at the farm. In the mid 70s, Edith was lucky enough to have Greg Evans come and be a part of her extended family. He loved and worked in the Brandon area and eventually went back to Ontario to live. He and Edith have remained friends until her passing. She loved raising blue heeler puppies and remained an avid dog lover her entire life. In 1979, she went from working at Fedoruk’s to the Brandon Mental Health Hospital as a night phone operator where she worked until retirement in 1996. After illness put Don in the hospital, he passed away in 1990. Edith did extend her family twice more, as she was so happy to become a much loved member of the Brown family when Donna Lee married Jim. Jim’s mom Estella asked her new daughter-in-law’s family to join in that first Christmas and Edith never looked back. She had found more family to love and cherish. The James family also welcomed Edith into their family in 2000 when she was lucky enough to find a second love in life, Ken James. They were long-time friends and neighbours that enjoyed many interests. Edith finally got her large family that she always wanted. Edith was a member of several different groups, including Brandon Sno-Goers, in her early life where she was always helping with planning and making food. She loved to ride and participate in poker-derbies. She was an active member of the Kemnay Community Centre for many years. She belonged to the Whiteheads and UCW in Alexander and the Kiwanis group in Brandon. She volunteered at the Prairie Oasis where she was a long standing board member and past president and also helped with bingo a few times a week. She also delivered meals on wheels for many years. Edith enjoyed cooking, baking, knitting, and arranging flowers. Using her creativity with flowers to make special arrangements for weddings of friends or family brought Edith great joy. She was a member of the Alexander and Kemnay communities, one by birth and the other through marriage. There were many friends and neighbours in both communities that remained near and dear to her. One of these special neighbours, Neil Kirkpatrick, gave her a nickname, “Edith Bunker”. This is just one of the friendships that she cherished her whole life. Mom raised chickens and turkeys for many years and family, friends and neighbours enjoyed eating them for special meals shared with their families. Edith is survived by: Donna Lee (Jim) Brown, Jason and Lauren, Jamie; Ellen and Jim Cairns, Valerie and Richard Hykawy, Lyn and Paul Ede (Niaa, Anna, Ty), Jay and Dallas (Jaxon, Makensi); Len and Gail James, Rob, Scott and Jocelyn (Megan); Jim and Heather James, Tannis and Dan Hudson (Morgan James, Bella and McKayla Brading), Dawn (Oliver), Dan and Stacey; Bob and Kim James, Dallas and Ashley; Loretta and Wes Williamson, Kevin and Kristen, Derek, Lorena. She also leaves longtime friend of the family Greg Evans; Sister-in-law Jean Macaulay as well as several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents George and Caroline Smith; sister Mary (Richard “Ris”) Butterfield; brothers: George (Viola) Smith, Thomas (Muriel) Smith; nephew Douglas Smith; brother Charles (Helen) Smith; first husband Don Macaulay; close friend Val Jackson and second husband Ken James; parents-in-law Donald and Agnes Macaulay; sisters-in-law Mary (Gordon) Edwards, Effie (Jack) Ryans; nephew Donald, Florence (Jim) Mawer; brothers-in-law Bill (Dorothy) Macaulay, nephew Allan, Norman (Terry) Macaulay; great nephew Jordan, Duncan Macaulay. Edith was laid to rest at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Edith may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, #3, 824 18th Street, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 5B7.You’ll never be far away Mom. Love and hugs from your family and friends.Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 204-727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 17, 2013