CARA MARGARET ANDERSON (SPURILL)

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CARA MARGARET ANDERSON (nee SPURILL) Cara Margaret (nee Spurill) Anderson passed away peacefully at Oakview Place, Winnipeg, MB on February 3, 2003. She was born June 24, 1902 to J. Aiden and Catherine (Goodwin) Spurill of Dunrea, MB. In 1916 the family moved to a farm in the Chatfield area where Cara met and married John Olaf (Oli) Anderson on September 8, 1927. During the depression Oli spent the winter months trapping in the Rabbit Point (Princess Harbour) area on Lake Winnipeg while Cara and their young family remained in Chatfield. When Oli and his partner, Ed Flor, decided to fish commercially during the open water season it was decided to move the family to Rabbit Point. Cara, with Myrtle (six years), Ed (four years) and six month old Les arrived on board the MS Montgomery in a blinding snowstorm on October 31, 1934. Here she was with no phone, no hydro and the closest doctor residing in Gimli. Indeed a pioneer lady!! During the early years she worked long hours caring for her family as well as feeding the chickens, milking the cows and tending her garden. She loved flowers. Her house plants thrived under her tender loving care to the point where they sometimes overtook all the window space. By the time Shirley was born in 1937 and Marjorie in 1939, Cara and Oli had established Andersons Store so now she was storekeeper as well when Oli was away trapping and fishing. She also had a small mink ranch, the proceeds of which helped further her childrens education. She was a wonderful cook. Her hospitality was known for miles around. The grandchildren loved to visit Granny for tea as she always had baked something special Cara entered Oakview Place in May of 1989 due to declining health. Special thanks to the staff at Oakview Place for all the tender loving care she received during her stay. Cara was predeceased by her parents, J. Aiden and Catherine Spurill; two brothers, Theodore and Leo Spurill; four sisters, Sara Cassidy, Cathleen Carlson, Alice Robinson and Baby Elizabeth. Her husband, Oli, passed away in 1985. She is survived by three daughters, Myrtle (Franklin) Magnusson, Shirley (Irwin) Drinkwater and Marjorie (Roy) Giles; two sons, Edward (Brenda) Anderson and Leslie (Audrey) Anderson; seven grandchildren, Carman Settee, James and John Anderson, Corey (Joyanne) Drinkwater, Kevin (Laura) Drinkwater, Kelti Giles (Richard Weger) and Jeff Giles; four great-grandchildren Shannon, Veronica, Fraya and Carl Settee; as well as many nieces and nephews. At Caras request, cremation has taken place and no service will be held. If friends so desire, a contribution may be made to a charity of their choice. BARDAL FUNERAL HOME 843 Sherbrook Street, 774-7474

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 11, 2003