GERDA COWLEY (HAINES)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

GERDA COWLEY (nee HAINES) It is with sadness we announce the passing our Mom, Gerda, widow of Earl Cowley, on September 8, 2000. Gerda was born July 29, 1931 and grew up in Headingley, Man. Gerda graduated from the Winnipeg General Hospitals School of Nursing in 1953 and maintained close ties with her schoolmates from the Class of 53A. She began her career as a public health nurse and retired in 1992 after 25 years at Deer Lodge Centre. Gerda and Earl were married in 1954 and raised their family in their house on Vimy Road. Gerda loved spending time with family and friends, cooking Sunday suppers, having backyard barbecues, playing bingo, taking trips to the beach, travelling, bowling, and walking. She also kept herself busy knitting mitts and afghans for her family and friends. In later years, Mom and Dad enjoyed being on the road in their motor home and spent winters on their "Gravel Patch" in Arizona. Gerda was predeceased by her husband Earl, her parents Karen and Peter Haines and her brother Ralph. Gerda leaves to cherish her memory her four daughters Karen (Rolf Zimmer), Leslie (Bill Nichol), Wendy (Al Cherney) from Saskatoon and Lynn (Bob Stokotelny) her four treasured grandchildren Allison and Austin Zimmer, and Nicholas and Colin Cherney; her sisters Ruth van Gestel and Edith Penner (Peter) her sisters-in-law Karen Haines, Dorothy Hymers (Gordon), and Vivienne Patterson (Victor) from Calgary; her brother-in-law Bob Stenhouse (Edith) her Aunt Selma and family from Sweden and other relatives in Norway. Mom will also be missed by her large extended family of nieces, nephews and many, many friends, including her childhood friends Hilda and Joan, and the Lund family. Special thanks to Moms neighbor Leonard, to Dr. Johnson and staff at the Cancer Clinic, and to Dr. Houston and the staff of the Health Science Centres GH4 for taking such good care of our Mom. At Gerdas request, cremation has taken place and there will not be a service. Flowers are gratefully declined. If desired, donations in Gerdas memory may be made to the Deer Lodge Foundation, 2109 Portage Avenue, Wpg., MB, R3J 0L3 or Cancer Care of Manitoba Foundation, 100 Olivia Street, Wpg., MB R3E 0V9. As well, anyone who is able is encouraged to donate blood. Those we hold most dear never truly leave us, they live on in the kindness they showed, the comfort they shared, and the love they brought into our lives. So long Mom and Gramma, well miss you. WOJCIKS FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 16, 2000