EDITH MERLE CONDIE

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EDITH MERLE CONDIE With her sweetheart Dick at her bedside, Mum passed away softly at the Victoria Hospital on Sunday, February 3, 2002 at 1:30 a.m. in her 87th year and the 64th year of their marriage. Born Edith Merle Gallagher in Picton, ON in 1915, she lived in Regina till her marriage to Richard (Dick) Condie took them away to Vancouver where their two children, Sharon and Richard, were born. In 1946 Winnipeg became their home (Crescentwood and River Heights) until 1971 when she and Dick went on a years adventure, living in London and exploring Europe as far as Turkey. Returning to Canada, they moved to a beautiful home in the woods near Sidney, BC, later moving into Victoria. Ten years ago Edith and Dick moved back to Winnipeg to be with their children. Edith was predeceased by her brother Lloyd Gallagher and his wife Blanche, and by her in-laws Ed and Vera Condie, Jim and Kay Condie, Mary and Russ Bowerman and Betty Condie. Besides her husband and children, still surviving to cherish the memory of her sympathetic ear and her playfulness are her sisters Shirley (Harvey) Pinch, Irene Miller, and sister-in-law Jessie Condie. Aunt Edith also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, some of whom were especially close: Janice (Tony) Gronick, Bruce (Rose) Gallagher, Carol (Harry) Kennedy, Brian (Diane) Pinch, Darlene Pinch, and Kim and Tracy Gronick. Edith was Head, Hands and Heart. For decades she and Dick had their nightly games of cards and Scrabble and she could beat all comers. She had a love of language: she collected poetry in her youth, and was a voracious reader and a wonderful letter-writer who kept her widely separated family together with words. Her home was always, and is even now, filled with evidence of her handiwork, especially needlework. Through her kitchen wafted the aromas of her delicious meals. Her parties were the funnest. She grew flowers, loved to play the piano, and could wallpaper a whole house (and often did!). Edith became an adoptive mother/grandmother to many kids. Her friendships have lasted for over 80 years. Especially cherished were her dear friends Lois Sim, Rhoda Siebert (deceased), Molly Ireland and Ann Chmelnitsky. For hours every day, for the last two years until her death, Edith was cared for by her devoted family -- a small return for the years of caring that she gave to us. The family wishes to express our thanks to those aides and nurses at Poseidon who went out of their way to offer Edith and Dick special care and compassion. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 11 at 1:00 at Thomson Funeral Chapels, 669 Broadway. Reception to follow. Flowers are gratefully declined. If desired, a donation can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association. We love you, Mom.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 07, 2002