CHRISTINA MAY GRIEVE

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CHRISTINA MAY GRIEVE Surrounded by the love of her family, in their hearts and at her bedside, our Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, Christina, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2004 at Selkirk and District General Hospital. Mom was born on March 15, 1923, the first born of Colin and Ethel Leask. She lived on the family farm three miles west of Clandeboye, along with her parents and three sisters and two brothers. She attended school at Clandeboye until Grade 11 and then had to ride the train to Selkirk to complete her Grade 12. From there she attended Normal School in Winnipeg and began her teaching career in Southwest Manitoba. Mom and Dad were married on May 25, 1946 after Dads return from overseas. They resided in the Clandeboye area and shortly after the birth of Wilma (Billie), they moved to Meadowdale. Here they operated The Ridgley Confections on No. 8 Highway. Their family grew by the birth of Elva, Judy, Ian and Sheila. During these times Mom ran the operation of the store, while raising her young family. Dad worked on the Hunter McRae farm from spring to late fall. These times left Mom alone with the five of us during these months. There were also times she was alone with us, as Dad was in Deer Lodge Hospital having some of his war wounds tended to. Dad then started driving the milk truck for the Interlake Farmers Coop. They then moved their family to Dunara to live. It was while here that Leonard and Dena arrived. During these years, times were tough, but Mom was a very conservative person and many small things went a long way. We always wore clothes that she had made with her tender loving care. Her family always came first and we could always count on her being there for us when lifes burdens would come upon us. During the loss of our Dad, Bertie, and our sister, Elva, she was our pillar of strength to lean on, even though she had her own grieving to do, the survivors were the benefit of her uplifting support in her own quiet manner. Mom was very active in any event or project that was going on in the community. You could always see her in the working ranks of the church, community club, 4-H. Wednesday quilting at the Municipal Office was a highlight of her winter months. She was an avid quilter and many of us have quilts she made for us. Fifty-eight of her handmade quilts have been given to sick children throughout Manitoba through the Lioness Project Group in Winnipeg. It warmed our hearts to know that she still had love to pass on to others in need. Moms love of music was one of the reasons that provided her the quality of life she chose to live. Her final accomplishment was to participate in the Clandeboye Amalgamated United Church Christmas Contata which was performed numerous times at Clandeboye, Winnipeg Beach and at the Grace Hospital over recent years. Mom loved the Christmas season and her participation in the church choir helped her prepare for very meaningful and touching Christmas seasons spent with her family. Mom is survived by and will be sadly missed by her daughters, Wilma (Billie) Ratkowski and her husband Michael, Judy Dent and her husband Geoff, Sheila Peadson and her husband Larry, and Dena, and by her sons, Ian and his wife Darlene and Leonard and his wife Donna, her grandchildren, Christie Norman, Ian, Kent and Adam McConnell, Sheldon, Allan and Leslie Dent, Jill and Connor Grieve, Michelle Shier and Scott and Brett Peadson, Aaron and Tammy Wilson and her great-grandchildren, Janelle, Lisa, Taylor and Taiya. Mom also leaves to mourn her son-in-law, Randy McConnell and his wife Sue, her sisters, Evelyn Griffiths and Wilma Goodbrandson and her brother Allan Leask and his wife Jean, sister-in-laws, Louise Smith and her husband Howard, and Jean Grieve and her aunt, Julia McDonald. Mom was predeceased by her husband Bertie, her daughter Elva, son-in-law John Thurston, sister Gladys Swain, her parents Colin and Ethel Leask, brother Keith Leask, brothers-in-laws Johnny Goodbrandson, Dick Swain, Ken Griffiths and her nephew Jack Goodbrandson. Pallbearers will be her twelve grandchildren whom she was so very proud of and loved very much. The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation and thanks to Dr. Speer, the staff and the Palliative Care Unit at Selkirk and District General Hospital, Reginal Health Authority for Selkirk area and to Moms home caregivers, Cheryl, Karen, Sherry and especially Mabel, who was with Mom her four remaining days at home. To Auntie Evelyn and Auntie Wilma for their support and guidance and being with us through the last two months. To the church community and Rev. Lynn Stevens for all their prayers and visits to Mom and the family, as well as the gift of song by Rosalyn and Gordon Church, who came and sang for Mom. To all our extended families for their prayers and support and to Gilbarts Funeral Home for their professional service and guidance. In lieu of flowers friends may donate to CancerCare Manitoba, the Selkirk Palliative Care Unit or Clandeboye United Church Memorial Fund. Prayer service will be held on Sunday, July 11, at 7:30 p.m. at Gilbart Funeral Home, 309 Eveline Street, Selkirk, Manitoba. A celebration of her life will be held at Clandeboye United Church in Clandeboye, Manitoba on Monday, July 12, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Marilyn Anderson Corkum officiating. Please bring a lawn chair for your comfort during the service.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 10, 2004