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GERALDINE (GERRY) LAND
Gerry passed away peacefully at the age of 93, on May 11, 2026, surrounded by family.
She was predeceased by her husband Willard Land; son Ken Land; parents, Gordon and Myrtle Braid; and brothers, Arthur and Bill Braid.
Leaving behind to cherish her memory, her sister Ginny Braid; children, Karen, Kelly (Kathleen) and Jennifer Land; daughter-in-law Cathy; grandchildren, Caralynn (Trish), Patrick (Kaitlin), Michelle (Tony), Kevin (Jenny), Sarah (Kenny), and Elise (Alex); great-grandchildren, Bennett, Thomas, Lucas, Georgia, Abigail, Elizabeth, Oliver, Nora, Willow, Finley, Autumn, and Theo.
Gerry was born November 2, 1932 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She attended Greenway School, Robert H. Smith, Kelvin High School, and United College (University of Winnipeg), where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree. Gerry was a lifelong member of the United Church of Canada.
She met the love of her life, Willard, while working as a lifeguard at Sargent Park Pool. Gerry and Will married September 1, 1954, and started their family, becoming lifelong Riverview residents.
Gerry loved swimming and spent years teaching adults with a fear of water and children with adaptive needs how to swim at the YWCA. Gerry competed in synchronized swimming and later coached and officiated at the National and International level.
Gerry shared many simple pleasures in life including reading, listening to classical music, and enjoying the sounds of her great-grandchildren playing. She told her grandchildren she loved the smell of fresh cut peonies and lilacs, and “the call of a loon, especially when lying in bed at the lake.” Gerry was an avid knitter and you could always count on her to make a sweater, a pair of mitts, and an abundance of dishcloths.
Gerry and Will had a shared love of the outdoors, spending many seasons at their family cabin “My Place” at White Lake. Their favorite season was the fall “taking time to sit and watch the leaves change.” Together they enjoyed walking to big rock or Rainbow Falls, coffee at the store with friends, and canoeing. Gerry enjoyed hearing the stories her grandchildren and great-grandchildren would share about their lake adventures, and cherished the thought that she’d passed on her love of the cabin and spending time in nature.
During her retirement years, she and Will spent many hours volunteering at Fort Whyte Alive. Gerry maintained lifelong friendships with classmates from United College, who would meet for monthly lunches. Tea parties with her great-grandchildren were a must for Gerry, where her love of “fancy sandwiches” could be indulged.
The family would like to thank the staff of Family Medicine at St. Boniface Hospital, for ensuring she was comfortable and well cared for.
There will be a private family gathering at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fort Whyte Alive or a charity of your choice.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 16, 2026
