EVELYN MAY (BOOTH) ILIFFE

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EVELYN MAY (BOOTH) ILIFFE March 1, 1904 - May 5, 2003 May Iliffe, widow of George Douglas Iliffe F.C.A., former Comptroller General of Manitoba, passed away peacefully at Souris Hospital, MB, in her 100th year. Born in Stanton, Derbyshire, England, she was the eldest of three daughters of Thomas James and Emily Jane (Morley) Booth. As a child, she crossed the Atlantic three times: in 1907, to settle in Calgary; shortly after, to return with mother to care for grandmother; and in 1911, to settle in Winnipeg. She liked travelling, and likened herself to her great-grand-mother Lydia Barr who visited Canada as governess for a ship captains child. St. Johns Anglican pro-Cathedral was the centre of life for the family. May handcrafted Easter violets at Girls Auxiliary, attended Sunday School and Bible class. The Booths and Iliffes sang in the choir, socialized after church, and, on September 26, 1927, May married George at the Cathedral. She had graduated from St. Johns Tech High School and Normal School, teaching Grade 1 at Faraday for four years. May dedicated her talents to her children, her community, and to the activities of her husband. A founding member of St. Aidans Church, she sang in the choir for 20 years, worked for W.A., the Red Cross, and St. Aidans Guild, with two years as President. She was Brown Owl at St. Aidans, and later, as District Commissioner, ran two more Packs at St. Andrews River Heights, while training someone to carry on. Her work as Provincial International Commissioner, Caddy Lake Camp Committee member, and her Guiding Spirit resulted in her receiving the Honorary Life Member Award from Girl Guides of Canada. She was Life Member of the Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba, and delegate to National Council; Honorary Life Member and Honorary President of the Womens Musical Club of Winnipeg; Life Member of St. Agnes Guild, with 25 years volunteer service, including managing the Guilds gift shop for the benefit of the Childrens Hospital Research Foundation. She was a life-long supporter of the traditional Anglican faith. She was a Winnipeg Art Gallery docent (volunteer art appreciation teacher) in Winnipeg schools. She was an Original, and ongoing, Marching Mother for the March of Dimes. She was a founding member of the Souris and District Heritage Club in 1989, donating her handcrafted character dolls, and more, for the shop at "The Plum"- 1883 Souris Heritage Church Museum. In her youth, speed skating, snowshoeing, swimming, and tent-camping at Banff portrayed her vitality. Later, golfing at Southwood Golf and Country Club, travelling with friends around the world, fishing in Florida, taking her daughter to museums and art galleries in London and Washington, and managing her own home until age 96, when she moved to Souris, were activities that kept her young. She supported and enjoyed the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg Symphony, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Monarchist League of Canada, Wednesday Morning Musicale, and Progressive Conservative Party. Her Bridge Club, Book Club, gardening and preserving, her ability to teach Scouts to sing, her kind empathy with children - all exemplified her love of life. As Nana and Grand-Nana, she showered her third and fourth generations with love, inspiration, and gifts to support their activities. May was predeceased by her beloved husband in 1967; her son Jack (John George Booth), daughter-in-law Barbara Jean Iliffe, and sisters Noreen Boyd and Sybil Wood. She is survived by her son Barry, Winnipeg, wife Donna and their children: Lori Iliffe, Langley, BC, husband Ken Dick, and family Brittany, Devon and Justin Dick; Andy Iliffe, wife Lorraine, and family Danielle and Ryan; Doug Iliffe, wife Lindsay and daughter Laurren, all of Winnipeg. She is survived by her daughter Averill May Whitfield, Souris, husband Ralph, and their children: Pam Walker, Souris, husband Todd, family Caleigh, Brynna M. May, Seth; Chris Whitfield, Souris, and his June bride-to-be, Margery Morris; Dr. Daphne May A. Schmidt, Beausejour, husband Grant, family Spencer and Carissa May; Rod Whitfield, Lethbridge, AB, and wife Melissa. It was our mothers wish to contribute her body to the University of Manitoba for the advancement of medicine through anatomical study. Later, her ashes will be laid to rest with her husband at St. Johns Cathedral Cemetery. A Memorial Service for the immediate family will be held at St. Johns Cathedral on Sunday, May 25, officiated by The Very Rev. R.J. Osborne, Dean of Ruperts Land. The family prefers no flowers and no donations. In memory of our mother, give people kind respect and loving smiles, teach a child, serve your community, learn something new, or sing a song. Bless these Thy gifts, and grant that we may with our lives give thanks to Thee.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2003