ALICE SNORRASON

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ALICE SNORRASON On Wednesday, August 30, 2000, at the St. Boniface Hospital, after a courageous and painful battle, Alice passed away peacefully with her family by her side. She was predeceased by her father, Herbert in 1969 and mother Valdheidur in 1975; her brother Rodney in 1989 and sister Colly in 1997; sister-in-law Gaylene in 1986 and sister-in-law Joan in 1996. She is survived by her children, Margaret "Binnie" Johannesdottir (Agnar), Snorri "Dolli" Johannesson (Hanna) and their children, Johanna Laufey (Thorgeir), Kristrun (Oddi), Johannes "Joi" (Donica) and Alice (Steini), all of Iceland, Baldvin Johannesson (Gloria) and daughter Rikki Lee of Gimli, Richard Snorrason (Diane) and children, Karl, Jaymi, Darrell (Kristen), Janeen and Jesse of Gimli, Cynthia Johnson (Alvin) and children, Tara, Landon, Ashley, Landon and Ashton of Gimli; her sister Maria Sigurgeirson (Bill) of Riverton; her brothers, Herbert Baldvin Baldwinson (Isabel) of Selkirk, Norman Baldwinson of Riverton, Neil Baldwinson (Merilyn) of Gimli; brother-in-law Grimsi Brynjolfson of Riverton; nephews and nieces, Correen, Colleen, Lorne, Leslee, Darrell, Glenda, Tracy, Dennis, Myra, Maxine, Larry, David, Kimberly, Cheri, Sandy, Diane and Rhonda; Moms very special daughter Michelle; special friends, Jim, Archa and Joey as well as many relatives and friends. Mom was born at the family farm, (Baldurshagi), in Geysir, Manitoba. At an early age she moved to Riverton, Manitoba where she received her education. She then went to work at the Winnipeg Flying Club at Stevenson Field where she met her future husband, Johannes Snorrason. He was in Canada learning to become a pilot. They were married in Regina and lived there and in Pierce, Alta., where he was training pilots for the Commonwealth Training Program. In 1942 when a job opportunity arose in Iceland they left Canada and traveled to Iceland with a British convoy. This was a very hazardous journey and the submarines sank may ships. Mom lived in Iceland for 14 years and cherished every memory. She traveled to places such as Paris, London, Copenhagen, Oslo and Tangier. Sometimes she would be working as a Flight Attendant on Dads flights. Mom returned to Canada in 1956 and lived in Riverton until she moved to Gimli in 1971. She retired from Gimli Betel Foundation where she had spent many happy years working in the Laundry Department. Mom was very proud of her Icelandic heritage. She loved poetry and was especially proud of her Afi, Baldvin Halldorssons poetry and could recite many of his poems from memory. She loved music, baseball and being with family and friends. Mom had an uncanny memory for birthdays, anniversaries and any date of importance in the lives of her loved ones. She had a good sense of humor and a sharp wit. She had a warm and compassionate heart and her passing will sadden all that knew her. Her house was open to all and the coffeepot was always on. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and they felt the same way about her, as exemplified by the following poem written for her by her granddaughter Rikki Lee at the age of 12 on their trip to Iceland together in 1994. AT AMMAS Sometimes it may rain or storm, but I am always safe and warm ... at Ammas, Even if theres rain or sleet it doesnt even touch my feet ... at Ammas, On dark cold snowy nights you may be given such a fright ... but not at Ammas! To: Amma Love: Rikki Lee The family would like to thank the nurses and hospital staff at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Gimli for their care. We would like to thank Dr. Daeninick and Dr. Mervyn Dean and the nurses and staff of the Palliative Care Ward of the St. Boniface Hospital for their expert care and compassion in her final days. Also, for their kindness to the family in our time of need. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Riverton Hnausa Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, Box 250, Riverton, Manitoba. Funeral service will be held on Monday, September 4 at 2:00 p.m. in the Riverton-Hnausa Lutheran Church with Pastor Trudy Sluth officiating. Interment of ashes in the Riverton Community Cemetery. Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Gimli in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 02, 2000