MAY KATHLEEN MANSON

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MAY KATHLEEN MANSON March 1, 1911 - November 20, 2002 With sadness we announce the passing of May Manson on Wednesday, November 20, 2002. May is survived by her brother John of Vancouver, sister-in-law Mary, and nephew Ron of London, ON; nephew Robert (Lesley, Sean and Hayley) and niece Beryl (Gary, Jeff, Kirk, Nicole) of Winnipeg. She was predeceased by her mother Mary (1965) father Robert (1970) and brothers, Walter (1973) and Bert (1977). Born in Belfast, Ireland, May grew up and spent her life in downtown Winnipeg where the family home frequently housed newcomers from Ireland. She began work at Eatons Mail Order in 1928 and retired in 1976 after 48 years of service. May made her most-valued social connections and life-long friendships there. In 1943 due to the scarcity of drivers May received an unprecedented assignment for a female employee. She was called upon to drive an Eatons delivery truck. She performed this task with enthusiasm until 1946 when the men returned from overseas. When asked about this turn of events, May would comment in her typical stoic fashion, "It was only right, they had families to support." Mays true passion was sports. During the 1930s May became a registered member of the Womens Amateur Athletic Federation of Canada. Her natural athletic ability was demonstrated by her all-star performance on the Eatons womens hockey and baseball teams. On February 23, 1934 May "backstopped" the "Eatons girls" to the provincial ladies senior hockey league crown in an overtime win against Dauphin. The following year the Eatons hockey team went all the way to the Canadian finals in Preston, ON, before losing to the Preston Rivulettes. On March 28, 1935, the Toronto Daily Star commented "Manson in the visiting posts repeatedly won the applause of the crowd for her brilliant performance." May remained a keen walker throughout her life and also enjoyed and followed golf and other sports. Her visitors were often interrupted by her budgies shrill chirp "Go Bombers Go." We will miss Mays dry, self-effacing humour and remember her kind empathy for all living things. We would like to send a special note of thanks to Dr. Blank, Dr. Karvelas, and the professional staff at the Victoria General Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 26 at 1:00 p.m. in Thomson Funeral Chapels, 669 Broadway, with Rose Ferries officiating. Interment will take place at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 9Z9; Kidney Foundation of Canada, 200 - 55 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 1L8; or to Mays favourite non-human charity, the Winnipeg Humane Society, 5 Kent Rd., Winnipeg, MB R3A 1S1. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 23, 2002