VERNA KATHLEEN HENRY (MARSCELLA) -

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VERNA KATHLEEN HENRY (nee MARSCELLA) 1925 - 2003 Our family is saddened to announce the death of Verna, wife and the love of Geralds life, on Friday, September 5, 2003 at Bethania Personal Care Home at the age of 78. Born on June 28, 1925 to Katie Nevada Marscella (Boyce) in what was then "unorganized territory" in the Interlake, now near the Eddystone area. Verna leaves to mourn three daughters, Reena Normandale (Dave), Dale Goertz (Phil) and Wendy Garson (Jim) and eight grandchildren, Jason and Robyn Normandale, Candace and Katie Goertz, Cheri, Haley, Julie-Anne and Grace Garson. Verna was predeceased by her brother Mervin, her sister Trudy (Gray) and is survived by her loving sister Tessa (Forsyth) and sister-in-law Eva Marscella. Verna will also be remembered fondly by many cousins, especially Doris Line and Edith Finney, nieces, nephews, friends and acquaintances. Verna had a ready smile for all, and adopted everyone she met. Her helpful nature and kind heart made her a true friend. Married to the man of her dreams for 50 years, Verna devoted her life to her family, providing the warmth of their home to all, including various dogs (two called Lady and her last, Goldie), budgies, cats, guinea pigs, tadpoles, frogs and many other of Gods creatures - all were welcome. For a number of years, Verna helped Gerald with the family business: Best Buy Drugs Delivery, driving daily to more than 50 drug stores across Winnipeg. With Geralds retirement from Winnipeg Transit, they moved to Lavenham, MB, where the menagerie continued: horses - Babe was her favourite - banty hens, pheasants, cats and chickadees made Moms hobby-farm years memorable. Verna and Gerald worked hard restoring the Lavenham United Church, where Verna helped with the Sunday School, the Vacation Bible School, assisted Gerald with the services and looked after the tea and other refreshments. Circle Square Ranch at Austin, MB was an important part of her country life, providing the horse-and-Christian-camp experience to her grand-and-other-children. They also served coffee for a number of years at the annual Gospel Festival in Rosendale, MB and made room in their home for several regular attendees. Verna and Gerald enjoyed camping, travelling and participated in many trail rides across Manitobas southern plains. Parkinsons Disease entered Moms life and as her health failed, a move to MacGregor, MB meant apartment life as well as new friends in the block on the corner of Railway and Fox. A move to Winnipeg so that family could be closer was next, and eventually, she entered Victoria Hospital, then The Golden Door Geriatric Centre and finally Bethania Personal Care Home. Moms life was full of good things: her husband for life, her children, her grandchildren and her pets, all underwritten by a deep an abiding faith in her God and Saviour. Many thanks to the Bethania staff of the South Wing, and Chaplain Gerhard Friesen for their care, compassion and a most loving environment. In lieu of flowers, Mom would have appreciated donations in her name to the Winnipeg Humane Society, 5 Kent St., Winnipeg, MB R2L 1X3. A service of remembrance and celebration of Vernas life is to be held on Tuesday, September 9 at the Omega Funeral Chapel, 83 Royal Rd. South, Portage la Prairie (857-4621), beginning at 2:00 p.m. A family graveside service will occur at the Lavenham Cemetery after the reception. Moms favourite hymn was "Jesus Loves Me" and while her voice is now stilled, the words still echo: "I am coming, Lord, to Thee, And Your soldier I will be, For You love the little children of the world; And Your cross Ill always bear, And for You Ill do and dare, For You love the little children of the world." The Omega Funeral Home are in care of arrangements. Friends may leave a message and sign the register at our website www.omegafuneralhome.com "Where life stories live on"

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 08, 2003