IRMA VIVIAN BURRELL

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IRMA VIVIAN BURRELL (STURK) Following a long illness, Irma Burrell died gently on December 13, 2002, at Riverview Hospital, Winnipeg, aged 91. Irma is survived by her three children, Rae Jessiman (Ian), Cydney Trott, and Matthew (Janet Harrison) by her cherished grandchildren, Megan and Stacey Jessiman, Grey Guindon, Maggie Trott, Whitney and Ali Burrell; by her great-granddaughter, Katharine Jessiman-Ketcham; by her friend, Emily Mohr; by her sisters, Bee Thew, Fran Jarvis, and Pat Povey; and by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Richard O. Burrell; by her parents, John and Blanche (Taylor) Sturk; and by her siblings Les, Sid, Auleen Birnie and Lorna Fryer. Irma was born in Springside, SK, the fourth of eight children, 11 Oct. 1911, to Blanche and John, a Methodist lay minister. When she was two Irmas family moved to the Taylor home in NS; a few years later to Fairford, on the shores of Lake Manitoba, where her father taught school; and then later again to Winnipeg where she graduated from Daniel McIntyre High School. In 1927 Irma became an employee of Eatons and spent summer weekends at Grand Beach and Winnipeg Beach. It was at W.B. that she, a noted beauty, first caught the eye of medical student, Richard Burrell, and then married him in 1936 (despite her mothers misgivings about wild med students.) Five years later Irma became mother to Rae, then Cydney, and then Matthew. During these years she loved golf and paddling at the Winnipeg Canoe Club and skating at the Winnipeg Winter Club. Summers first at Winnipeg Beach and later at Lake of the Woods were wonderful gifts to her children. Throughout the 50s and 60s Irma and Dick spent part of each winter in the Caribbean islands they loved, and returned home with marvelous tales of their many adventures. Ever game, Irma began studying for a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and in 1962 was one of the guys in Matts car-pool to the University of Manitoba. She was awarded the BFA Degree in 1967 and went on to win prizes in juried competitions for years thereafter. The spare symmetry of her abstract style was much admired. For the past 48 years Irma lived in her beautiful home in Winnipeg where she nurtured her children, grandchildren, and countless friends. Since her dear husbands death in 1974 her interests have included bridge (which she played with verve), reading, and watching current affairs and game shows on TV. She was able to correctly guess most answers on Jeopardy, helped, no doubt, by her remarkable memory. Irma could call up at will the name to each face and the words to each song. How we shall miss that gift of securing us in space and time, that unquenchable spirit, that understanding heart! Irmas family would like to thank Dr. Alexander Smart for taking such good care of her for so many years; and to express our very deep gratitude to the wonderful staff on 3E at Riverview who, with infinite compassion and humour, helped to make the last few months of her life not only bearable but often fun. As for you, Curli, there are no words adequate. A private interment will take place, and a memorial service will be held in the chapel at Riverview on Saturday, 11 Jan. 2003, at 2:00 p.m., Reverend Jim Slater officiating. In lieu of flowers, Irmas family would appreciate donations to the Palliative Ward, 3E, at Riverview Health Centre, or to the St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 21, 2002