GLADYS ELEANOR LONGFIELD (CLIFFE)

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GLADYS ELEANOR LONGFIELD (nee CLIFFE) Peacefully, on September 7, 2004, at the Victoria Hospital, Gladys Longfield passed away at the age of 80. Gladys was born in the Misericordia Hospital on April 8, 1924, and raised in Ninette, MB, where her father was the blacksmith. The fourth of six children, she learned to share and care growing up through the Depression in rural Manitoba. The family moved to Winnipeg in 1941, where Gladys finished her schooling at St. James Collegiate, and then graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Misericordia Hospital in 1945. She was a proud RN for life and was honoured at the Nurses Alumni dinner in 1995 on the 50th anniversary of her graduation. When she moved to Winnipeg, Gladys soon met her life partner of 57 years, Raymond John Longfield, and they married on July 6, 1946. Gladys had a strong bond with her mother and they both had six children, and both had a set of twins. She was very proud of her Irish heritage, and was quick to make this known to everyone she met. She was predeceased by her husband Ray in 2003, by her young son Garth in 1966, and by her brothers, Art, Fred, Barclay, and Lloyd. Gladys is survived by her daughter Paula and husband Bill Quirion (Michelle, Lisa), son Kevin and wife Diane (Brian, Eileen, Neil), son Derek and wife Barbara (Michael, Erin, Stephen), son Lloyd and wife Barbara (Shauna, Carolyn, Christina), and daughter Lorna and husband Terry McCarthy (Thomas, Kevin, Kerry, Robert), and her sister Frances. Mom was always there for her kids and their friends. Over the years she generously welcomed scores of our friends to the travel trailer, living room, kitchen and basement. Hers was a labour of love, whether she was knitting a sweater, or nursing a sick baby. She raised us with kindness, patience, and humour. Mom loved to bake, and always sent the grandchildren home after a visit with a tin of their favourite cookies. She also took great joy entertaining her children and grandchildren with cheese and cracker parties or picnics, often accompanied by a game of cards or Yahtzee. Mom and Dad retired in 1981, and spent the next 12 winters north of San Diego. She also had fond memories of summer visits with her children throughout Canada, and at Lloyd and Nickies family cottages at Pelican Lake near Ninette. In 1992, Mom suffered a stroke in San Diego, and was unable to travel thereafter. She enjoyed hosting visitors at the nursing home, where she shared her chocolates and snacks over a good laugh, reminisced about friends and family, and heard the latest news of the grandchildren and children. We will fondly remember Mom as a guiding force in each of our lives. A private family service has been held, officiated by Rev. Ron Long of Victoria Hospital Chapel, who was a great comfort to Mom and our family. The family extends its heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of the caring and compassionate staff at the Victoria Hospital, especially the emergency department and Unit 4, who did everything they could to make Mom comfortable in her last days. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, or the Victoria General Hospital Foundation. Wereschuk Funeral Chapel 582-0929.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 12, 2004