LENA WINTER HADDAD

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LENA WINTER HADDAD September 1927 - November 2002 With a mixture of gratitude and sorrow Lenas family reports her peaceful passing in the serene surroundings of the Riverview Palliative Care unit at 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2002. The entire family was able to be with her in her last hours. Lena was predeceased by her parents, David and Mary Winter; by a very close uncle and aunt, Jack and Grace Froese; and by her estranged husband Gordon. Her memory will live on in her three brothers and sisters-in-law, John (Bernice), Jack (Marge), David (Anne) and in her foster son Kerry Pike (Elizabeth). She also leaves behind fond nephews and nieces, Tim (Monica), Melissa, Stewart, Karen, Corey, Josie (Will), Robert and Ron. Reliable, punctual birthday remembrances will now only be a fond memory. Lena accepted difficulties in life with grace and equanimity and was able to indulge in its joys. At the end of elementary she needed to terminate her education in favour of farm and household chores because of the frail health of her mother at the time. A number of years later while engaged in demanding manual jobs she tackled upgrading in order to enter the practical nursing course at Grace Hospital. That provided an entrance to a gratifying career well suited to her serving nature. After marriage and retirement it was gratifying to see her reestablish her own roots and reconnect with caring friends as she moved into her senior "home", Autumn House. We are grateful that after she became hospitalized she was able to convince health authorities to return to this home for, what turned out to be, the last three weeks of her life. She cherished this time and again indulged in living to the fullest. Only her last tiring day was spent back at the hospital. Our sister was sociable by nature and cherished the many and diverse friendships that she established. She was also very conscious about keeping relative lines alive. Social gatherings, outings and occasional travels renewed her keen appreciation for life. She will be remembered for her kindness, her generosity and her eagerness to serve. This urge to serve kept her life busy, both during her career and in retirement, with volunteering her service, from looking after sick acquaintances to working in her community kitchen, to camps, to SOOP (Service Opportunities for Older Persons) programs in Texas. A childhood inclination towards spirituality was inconspicuously nurtured and must certainly have been the resource that allowed her to retain her love for life and have given her the forgiving and accepting nature we admired. Visitation 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 15 at Bardal Funeral Home, 843 Sherbrook St. Funeral service 9:45 a.m. Saturday, November 16 at First Mennonite Church, 922 Notre Dame. Interment to follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. Donations in Lenas memory may be made to her favourite charity, Mission to Children, Box 800 - 28RPO, Castleridge, Calgary, AB. BARDAL FUNERAL HOME 843 Sherbrook Street, 774-7474

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 15, 2002