OLIVIA HELGA PORTER R.N. (JOHNSON)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

OLIVIA HELGA PORTER R.N. (nee JOHNSON) Olivia Helga Porter, aged 85, wife of the late Kenneth Edward, died peacefully on Saturday, November 13, 2004 at the Deer Lodge Centre. Mom was born on May 23, 1919 at Lonely Lake, MB and at age eight her family moved to Steep Rock, MB. She was proud of her Icelandic heritage, kept contact with relatives in Iceland and made several visits. Upon completion of high school she entered nurses training at the Misericordia Hospital graduating in 1943. She enlisted and served overseas as a nursing sister. Mom met Dad, a Hong Kong veteran, at a sanatorium where they were both overcoming tuberculosis. Mom together with Dad raised two sons. Mom was active in various churches throughout her life and with, at the time known as, The Association for Retarded Children as well as the Manitoba Developmental Centre in Portage la Prairie. In 1966 Mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis which she battled until the end but never allowed it to slow her down. Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Charles (Wendy) and Ronald of Portage la Prairie; grandchildren, Michaela (Tim), Stuart (Holly), Erin and Courtney; great-grandchildren, Faythe, Alexis, Grayson and Matilda; her nieces and nephews, Glenn (Debbie), Judy (Harry), Greg, Pamela, Wayne and Robert (Joan). Mom was predeceased by her mother Solveig, father Einar and sisters, Sigrid and Vala. Mom had an incredible zest for life, was outspoken, mischievous and an unflappable optimist. To say she was an extrovert would be putting it mildly. She was a true and giving friend to many. There was a special relationship and bond amongst 1943 classmates of which she was an active member. Family was everything to her especially her special relationship with her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She loved us all, was supportive and took great pride in our accomplishments. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 20 at Neil Bardal Inc., 984 Portage Ave. (entrance on Aubrey Street) at 1:30 p.m. Officiating will be the Reverends Harold Ritchie and Aubrey Hemminger. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made to the MS Society of Canada, 4th Floor, 141 Bannatyne Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3B 0R3 or to a charity of ones choice. The family acknowledges the 1943 graduating class especially Annie, Lorna and Thelma for their years of friendship and support. We wish to thank the Deer Lodge Centre and the workers on T6 for their kindness and support during Moms stay especially Anne, Brenda, Colleen, Dorothy, Irene, Joanne, Jocelyn, Joyce, Ken, Krystyna, Lucy, Philly, Rebecca, Susan, Tom, et al. as well as Doris on 3 East. Blessed are the care-givers. Mother, Amma (grandmother), great-grandmother, aunt and friend we give thanks and celebrate your remarkable life and accomplishments. Rest in peace. God bless and keep you. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 19, 2004