CLARA RUMMERY (BJORNSON)

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CLARA RUMMERY (nee BJORNSON) With deep sadness the Rummery family shares news of the death of our dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Clara at the Seven Oaks Hospital on Thursday, September 16, 2004 at the age of 91 years. Born in Winnipeg on October 21, 1912, she grew up on Beverley Street across from Wellington School, which was her playground. As well as Wellington, she attended Principal Sparling and Daniel McIntyre schools. Clara participated in sports, enjoying basketball and track in particular. After graduating from Success Business College, she entered the workforce. Mother and Gerry Rummery grew up living a few houses away from each other and they were married in 1936. Together, they raised their family on Dominion Street. Her three boys and many neighbourhood lads enjoyed the comfort of her care and attention during her years as a homemaker and stay-at-home mother. Some of those lads continued to be her special sons throughout her life. Mother was fiercely independent, maintaining her own home and driving her car until her recent hospitalization. Following Dads death in 1971, Mom retrained at Success and worked at the Department of Natural Resources until her retirement. After retiring, Clara assumed an active role in the family resort business spending her summers at Rushing River. She became the Camp Waterfall greeter and will be missed by the guests to whom she was Gramma. Mother understood the importance of maintaining friendships. She wrote copious letters and regularly phoned her acquaintances, some of whom date back to her youth. She remembered everyones special occasions with greeting cards. Clara was proud of her Icelandic heritage and was a lifetime member of First Lutheran Church. Mother professed her faith daily in her unselfish service to others, quietly going about her duty as wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and neighbour. Her gentle, caring nature made a difference to many a day and many a life. Throughout her life, but particularly since Dads death, she dedicated herself to her church almost as much as to her family. She was president of the First Lutheran Church Womens Group from 1988 to 1989. She was an active member of the Social Ministry committee and looked after the Caregivers. Whatever time and effort was given by her was returned many times over by friendships and blessings which the Church provided to her. We are extremely grateful for the gift of her life. Clara was predeceased by her husband Gerry; parents Gislina and Sigurdur Bjornson; son Richard; sister Edna; brothers Bjorn and Ingimar; sister-in-law and soulmate Dulcie Bjornson. Left to cherish her memory are sons Gary (Lillian) and Rob (Nancy). Mother was blessed with grandchildren who loved, cared for and enjoyed her: Gerry (Pam), Jim (Cathie), Garth (Ming), Roxanne, Leslie (Larry) Penn and Dan (Tara). Her legacy will live on through her great-grandchildren Sydney and Taylor Penn, Rebecca and Amanda Rummery, Zoe and Kaya Rummery. Also survived by sister-in-law Leta Deyoe and special niece Barbara Mineault (Ed) and family. The service to celebrate Claras life will be held at First Lutheran Church, 580 Victor Street on Monday, September 20 at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Michael Kurtz officiating. Pallbearers will be Gerry Bristow, Dale Parkinson, Blair Mineault, Bruce Mineault, Larry Penn, and Wayne Young. Interment Brookside Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made to First Lutheran Church, 580 Victor Street, Winnipeg MB R3G 1R2 or to CancerCare Manitoba, ON109-675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg MB R3E 0V9. BARDAL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM 843 Sherbrook Street, 774-7474 Condolences: www.bardal.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 19, 2004