ETHEL THOMAS NEELANDS

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ETHEL THOMAS NEELANDS March 23, 1913 - October 20, 1999 In her 87th year, our mother slipped away in the early morning hours of October 26, 1999, to be with her beloved husband and companion of 63 years, Daniel Weldon, who promised to wait for her, if it was at all possible. She leaves to celebrate her life and remember her with enormous love, respect and gratitude, her children, Rae, David and Susan, and their life partners, Leslie Armstrong, Gillian Neelands and Jon Gill; her grandchildren whom she loved beyond measure, Beth, Nelson and Sean, Becky, Christine and Laura, Danny and Jon Jr. and her great-grandchildren who delighted and amazed her, Cassandra, Dominic and Brianna. As a young woman, Mom was executive secretary to the president of Enderton, Bridges and Waugh. She was very athletic, loved to golf, bowl, curl, dance and snowshoe. Mom also loved to play bridge, was a voracious reader, a wonderful cook, gardener and knitted beautiful things for us, our dolls and our children. Our home was full of music, good books and laughter and our friends and neighbours were always welcome to share what we had. We children have wonderful memories of these times. While she loved life, the driving force for Mom was her deep and abiding love and devotion for her husband and children. No mountain was too high or road too long. She was always there for us without exception. After dad died, Mom spent many years, well into her 70s, volunteering at St. Boniface Hospital, in the library service, at Shriners Hospital, feeding the children, and delivering Meals on Wheels. Moms last residence was at Middlechurch Home for the Aged where she was very happy. She loved the people who care for her so well, and for all their kindness to our mother we are extremely grateful. Mom was a wise woman, a gracious woman, an honourable woman, and we feel blessed to be her children. A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 13 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Johns Cathedral Cemetery. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of the arrangements. I am standing on the seashore. A ship spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean. She is an object of beauty and I stand watching her. Til at last she fades on the horizon. And someone says. "She is gone." Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. The loss of sight is in me, not in her. and just at the moment when someone says, "She is gone", There are other voices who are watching her coming. Other voices take up the glad shout, "There she comes!" And that is dying.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 30, 1999