VERNA FINDLAY (COCHRANE)

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VERNA FINDLAY (nee COCHRANE) The family of Verna Findlay announce her peaceful passing at the Morley House Personal Care Home in Shoal Lake on March 5, 2003, at the age of 92. Verna was born February 12, 1911 at Shoal Lake. She had a twin sister Vera; one other sister Elva; and three brothers, Ralph, Albert and Edward. She attended school at Raven Lake, and graduated from Brandon Normal School as a teacher. She taught at Randale School between Shoal Lake and Oakburn 1931 to 1938. On October 10, 1938 she married Marshall Findlay of Shoal Lake and began a long and proud lifetime on the Findlay Family Farm. They raised five children, Glen, Judith, Kaye, Jim and Gordon. She took great pride in her 11 grandchildren, Carole, Keith, Gary, Jill, Gwenneth, Lisa, Kim, Karin, Kevin, Kristy and Kari and 16 great-grandchildren. Verna and Marshall enjoyed a successful and rewarding farming career from 1938 to 1974, when they retired to Osoyoos, BC. Throughout her 25 years in Osoyoos, she always faithfully returned to Manitoba for about a month every summer to visit with family and friends. She returned to Shoal Lake in 1999, and lived in Lakeshore Lodge. In 2000 she moved to Morley House Personal Care Home. Mother was always a very active, patient and understanding person. Her greatest satisfaction in life was her family, farm, garden and friends. A milestone in her life was seeing the family farm become a century farm in 1979. She was actively involved with the United Church, Agriculture Society and was a lifetime member of the Fidelity Rebekah Lodge. Her hobbies were knitting, crocheting, paper tole, cooking, also bowling in Osoyoos. She will be remembered for her bountiful Christmas dinners at the farm. She and Marshall enjoyed many trips in Canada, U.S.A., Australia, Samoa and Gambia. Verna was predeceased by her parents, Bernard and Maude Cochrane; twin sister Vera; brothers, Ralph and Edward; husband Marshall and youngest son Gordon. She is survived by sons, Glen (Katherine) Findlay, Jim (Diane) Findlay; daughters, Judith (Barry) Charlebois, Kaye (Klaus) Faul; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister Elva Chochrane; brother Albert (Dorothy) Cochrane; many nieces, nephews and friends. The family wishes to extend sincere appreciation to all the staff of Morley House P.C.H. for their dedicated care for mother. Funeral services will be held at Westminster United Church, Shoal Lake at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 10 with Rev. Heidi Koschzeck officiating, with interment at Shoal Lake Municipal Cemetery. Pallbearers are Keith and Gary Findlay, James Mowbray, Erle Jury, Dennis and Bob Cochrane. All in attendance to consider themselves as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shoal Lake-Strathclair Health Centre or Westminster United Church, Shoal Lake. Raes Funeral Service of Shoal Lake and Erickson are in care of the arrangements. (204) 759-2160.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 08, 2003