CARMEN JILL VANDERWATER (KEMP)

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CARMEN JILL VANDERWATER (nee KEMP) On Saturday, July 27, 2002, at 12:20 a.m. Heaven rejoiced at welcoming Carmen Jill Vanderwater (nee Kemp) into Jesus arms. Born in Drayton Valley, AB, Carmen resided in a number of cities growing up, bringing joy and her unique brand of humour to those she encountered successively in Edmonton, Prince George, Regina, and Thunder Bay. A graduate of Hillcrest High School in Thunder Bay (1986), Carm invested much of her passion into Elim Pente-costal Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years and led youth group as well as yukking it up with her college and careers pals. Carm secretaried and initiated more than a few water fights with her dad Pastor Roy (and anyone else within striking distance). In 1988, Carm, attended Eastern Pentecostal Bible College. Beyond her church secretary and bank teller employment, Carmen travelled to Romania in 1992 and again in 1994, doing missionary outreach for the lost and hungry. It was in December, 1994 that Carmen hooked up for her last first-date with her husband Alan. They were married on May 18, 1996, and their honeymoon continued through her subsequent relocation to Winnipeg, MB. Carmen put down roots during six rich years in Winnipeg. Through joyous times and through trials, she radiated the glory and the fun God knit into her soul. Carm faced hardships at times; pregnancy loss and stillbirth, and in April 2000, she was diagnosed with leukemia. Nothing she faced ever sidetracked the hope, the perseverance or the worshipful faith of her being. One of her greatest moments was the December 15, 2000, birth of her son Toby, whom she waited for and loved with all of her being. Carmen is survived by her husband Alan and son Toby; by her parents, Roy and Laurel Kemp; by her brother Kevin (Joanne), nephews Jeffrey Jackson and niece Brooklyn Jill; her sister Michele Hamilton (Sandy), nephews, Jordan and Jesse, niece Alexa; her in-laws, Bill and Rosemary Vanderwater; brother-in-law Mike (Trisha) and many other loving extended family. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 30 at 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Leatherdale Gardiner Funeral Chapel, 1501 Waverley St. Services will be held on Wednesday, July 31 at 1:00 p.m. in Calvary Temple Church, 400 Hargrave St., officiated by the Rev. Dr. Ken Stupak with reception to follow. Interment will be at Waverley Memorial Gardens, 1501 Waverley St. In lieu of flowers, contributions would be welcomed to either Toby Vanderwaters trust fund, Royal Bank, 1219 Grant Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3M 1Z1 or to World Vision in Romania. Pallbearers will be Rick Paddock-Thiessen, Nine Three, Susan Tuomisto, Dave Speirs, Rex Ferguson-Baird and Nathan Joel, Bill Vanderwater (honorary). LEATHERDALE GARDINER 1501 Waverley Street, 949-4860

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 30, 2002