ROSEANN ELAINE BENSON (MARRIN)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ROSEANN ELAINE BENSON (MARRIN) Mrs. Roseann Elaine "Nan" Benson (Marrin) passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, June 6, 2000 in her home. Ma was born in Winnipeg on September 26, 1918 (somehow this doesnt seem quite right as Mom insisted she was only 39!) and grew up and lived in the St. Ignatius area. Mom met Dad in Winnipeg in their days at Kelvin High School and St. Pauls High School and they were married in 1941. Mom accepted the challenges of becoming a naval bride, which included travelling from coast to coast to coast in Canada. Travel in those days usually included several kids, and a dog in a family sedan, picnic lunches and one large canvas tent. Mom says she should have raised vegetables! Many would agree. She did, however, create a large, usually loving, sometimes unruly family brood: Tony (Ann) Beaverbank, N.S., Karen, (predeceased), Chris (Laurie) Cannington, Ont., Dave (Mo), Winnipeg, John (predeceased) Lee Ann, Winnipeg, Rick (Paula), Saint John, N.B., Jamie (Karen), Victoria, B.C. and Mary (Kathy), Vancouver, B.C. It was with pride Gramma reflected on the accomplishments and successes of her grandchildren, Theresa (Ian), Jonathan Patrick, Aaron, Colin, Robin, Mairen, James, Thomas, Jon, Paul, Brendan, Michael, Emily, Quinton and Landon. Mom will now be reunited with her soul mate Patrick Campbell Benson who has been waiting "patiently" for some 28 months to be with his bride again, as well as her infant son John (1954), daughter Karen (2000). Parents, Mr. And Mrs. Alfred Osmond Marrin; brothers, Gregory and Phillip; and sister Veronica Hornberger also predeceased Mom. Ma will be remembered for many things, usually best inscribed on Mothers Day Cards. In her day she was probably referred to as a "housewife". In reality she was a master chef, couture coiffure designer, seamstress, nurse and law enforcement officer when Dad was away on his naval excursions. Mom can still be clearly envisioned in assembly-line fashion making lunches from several loaves of bread. It was only seldom that we ever received the lunch delight without the customary peanut butter and jam and if you had her chicken salad sandwiches you could hold a kings ransom at the lunch table. Mom could also cook up a storm! With that many in the house plus invited guests she could whip up a dinner at a moments notice and often without a "real" recipe, just ask her daughters-in-law who have attempted to measure "just enough" or a "smidgen" for pumpkin pies or turkey dressing. From annual Christmas pyjamas to wedding dresses, Mom could sew them all. Loving enough for Dad and the huge family that always needed her attention, Mom had a knack of making each one of us feel special; yet, she could also wade into a fracas of kids and settle us down with the old "flower power combat boots". Moms health had waned in the past few years. In true fashion she never wanted to be a "bother", and occasionally suffered silently so as not to offend others. She maintained her sharp wit, responding to conversations when we thought she wasnt listening and maintaining a little childish naughtiness with her love of chocolates, ice cream and even an occasional donut in spite of the doctors orders. It has been the devotion provided by Lee Ann that made Moms last few months comfortable, keeping her as active as possible, living life to the fullest. Special thanks must also be extended to Tina Gledhill and Sheila Froude who may have begun as health care workers for Mom and Dad, but soon became family, also providing loving care. Prayers will be said on Thursday, June 8 at 8:00 p.m. in the Leatherdale Gardiner Funeral Chapel, 1501 Waverley St. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 9 at 3:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 4588 Roblin Blvd. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Roseann Benson may be made to a charity of your choice. LEATHERDALE GARDINER 1501 Waverley Street 949-4860

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 08, 2000