CYNTHIA MAY (BEAMISH) SCURFIELD

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CYNTHIA MAY (BEAMISH) SCURFIELD January 27, 1924 - March 22, 2000 Cynthia Scurfield died on March 22, 2000 at Knapp Memorial Hospital in Weslaco, Texas. She died from complications following a stroke. Cynthia was born at Shoal Lake, Manitoba, the third of four daughters born to Wilbur and Mary Beamish. She attended school in Shoal Lake and graduated from Grade 12 in 1941. Following her graduation she moved to Winnipeg to take a secretarial course and worked for the War Time Prices Board. A charming returning soldier, Bill Scurfield, caught her eye and in October of 1948 they were married in Winnipeg. After spending their first married year in Lethbridge they moved to Manitou, Manitoba which was their home for the rest of their lives. They raised four children, Maureen, John, Carol and Bill in Manitou. Cynthia was very involved in her community. She was active in Kinettes, UCW, curling and the Horticultural Society to name a few. Gardening gave great pleasure to Cynthia. Even when her mobility was impaired due to health problems she continued to do what she could using her cane to poke at the weeds that threatened her flowers! Cynthia was one of those mothers that all the kids wished were theirs. She was always pleasant and welcoming to her childrens friends. (Even those "city kids" that came out to eat her out of house and home!). She enjoyed the company of young and old and loved a good joke. When Bill decided it was time to slow down his law practice he and Cynthia began their annual treks to Texas for the winter. They bought a mobile home at Magic Valley Park in Weslaco. Cynthia loved her time in Texas. She had many good and supportive friends there. She was an avid acquasizer, cribbage player and bridge partner. She loved music and dancing and even when her health problems made this difficult she managed to squeeze in a very slow dance once in a while. Following Bill's death in 1993 with a great display of courage and determination she continued her annuals trips to Texas. As well she purchased and renovated a home in Wildwood Park in Winnipeg to be nearer to her family. Her 12 grandchildren, Dan, Stac, Paul, Sara, Jane, Ailish, Senan, Keelin, Max, Jordan, Burke and Drew all live in Winnipeg and were fortunate to know and love their grandma well. She was always up for a game of cards or willing to read a story as many times as requested or to dish out the ice cream as needed. Mom never let ill health define her. She was proud, independent and eternally optimistic. As well as her children and grandchildren, Cynthia will be missed by her sisters, Vivian Sundell, Vera Nielson and Doreen Langdon and Doreens husband Bill; her son-in-law Paddy Griffin and her daughters-in-law, Glenda and Penny and many friends and relations in Winnipeg, Manitou and Texas. In the months before Cynthia and Bill were married Bill wrote to Cynthia: "There is an old story that explains marriage as being this. The gods take one piece of clay and fashion it into the likeness of a woman, they take another piece of clay and fashion it into the likeness of a man. When a marriage takes place both statues are broken up and the clay is mixed together. Then the statues of a man and woman are again fashioned each being a part of the other." Cynthia was very much a part of Bill and she will live on as a cherished part of her children and grandchildren. A memorial service was held at St. Andrews United Church at Manitou on March 27. Donations in memory of Cynthia may be made to the charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 01, 2000