Emily FINLAY

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FINLAY: Emily May Chappell Finlay (July 19, 1921- March 2, 2015) of Virden passed away peacefully at Brandon Regional Health Centre at 93 years of age. Emily was born as the youngest of two to William and Sarah Chappell in Hamiota where she grew up alongside her brother George. Emily embraced her mother’s Irish heritage and developed a natural enthusiasm for education through her father’s own career as a university professor in England. These two family legacies meant a great deal to Emily, and she passionately pursued her own education with great sacrifice, including moving away from home at a young age to work for room and board in order to attend school. In 1941, she achieved her Teacher’s Certification at Normal School in Brandon and from there went on to teach at the one-room schoolhouse of Blair District, south of Lenore. There, she met Ross Finlay and they were married July 18, 1942. It was during this time that she put her teaching career on hold to help run the farm and raise a family. In 1953 and 1963, Emily became a mother to Donald and Norman. She was very proud of her sons’ educational and musical endeavors. After 30 years, she returned to teaching with great zest, substitute teaching for another 20 years in Virden and Oak Lake. She was personally invested in all of her students and the young people in the community, attending graduation ceremonies for many years into her retirement. Emily was recognized for her community involvement with St. Paul’s United Church, the Hospital Auxiliary, the Horticultural Society, and many other volunteer groups. She was also well-known for her natural green thumb and her extensive knowledge of flowers and plants. In 1984, 2000, 2005, and 2006 Emily became a grandmother to Jamie, Cailin, Claire, and Patrick. Again, nothing made Emily more proud than tofollow her grandchildren’s educational and extra-curricular endeavors. In 2013 she became a great-grandmother to Kaliyah and had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of two new twin great-grandchildren this May. On March 10, Emily’s life was celebrated in Virden at St. Paul’s United Church and she was laid to rest in Johnston Cemetery. She is now reunited with her parents William and Sarah, brother George, and husband Ross. Those left to cherish her memories include Donald Finlay (Patrick Finlay; Jamie & Joshua, Kaliyah Rist) and Norman & Jodi Finlay (Cailin, Claire Finlay) along with many other friends and family. Emily’s family would like to thank all the doctors and nursing staff at BRHC for their exceptional care, as well as all who showed their support and took part in the celebration of Emily’s life. Thank you to Reverend Janis Campbell and the G. R. Carscadden Funeral Chapel for your help and understandingduring our families' time of sorrow. Donations in memory of Emily may be made to Johnston Cemetery, c/o Clarence Bailey, Box 58, Oak Lake, Manitoba, R0M 1P0.

As published in Brandon Sun on Mar 21, 2015