AUDREY JEAN SURGENOR (WYATT)

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AUDREY JEAN SURGENOR (nee WYATT) Peacefully on January 9, 2005 at the Eriksdale Personal Care Home, Audrey Surgenor, aged 93 years, passed away with her family at her side. Audrey was born on June 1, 1911 in Neepawa, MB, the fifth child of Robert and Annie Wyatt. She attended Normal School in Dauphin and taught for two years in SouthHead School near Eriksdale. In 1935 she married Thomas (Tom) Surgenor and they lived in Manitoba, British Columbia and Alberta, then moved back to the Eriksdale area. They spent a year in a country store in MacRoss District, then moved to the next quarter section to farm and raise their four children. In 1958 health problems forced a move to a smaller farm near Ashern where they lived for five years, settling next in Lundar. Audrey moved back to Eriksdale after Tom's death in 1984 and lived in Leisure Lodge until 2000 when she moved into the Eriksdale Personal Care Home. Throughout her life, Audrey loved reading, singing and listening to music, and was skilled with words. She took a keen interest in current events and valued education highly. She always encouraged her children and their children to learn, to broaden their horizons and to have high ideals. A woman of integrity, she was a supportive and loyal wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and a wonderful cook. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting and sewing, giving much of her work to the Red Cross in her later years. But the strength that carried her through many difficult times came from a strong Christian faith which she lived and shared with her family. Audrey is survived by three daughters and their families, Joy (John) Guttormson, Kim, Jennifer, Chris (Nicole) and Kaitlyn, and Erin; Faye (Alvin) Goranson, Brad (Cindy), Mandy and Tom, Todd (Patty) and Brittany; Julie (Michael), Anthony and Rebecca; Carol (Bill) Breckman, Krista (Greg), Connor and Lia, Tara, Stephani and Vanessa. Also the family of her late son, Wayne (Shirley): Darren (Christine), Jake and Damon, Dawn (Kim) and Reanna, and their mother, Carol. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Florence (Jack), Nora (Jim) and Anna (Abe) Thiessen, and many nieces and nephews. Audrey was predeceased by her beloved husband Tom, son Wayne, her parents and Tom's, five brothers and their wives, one sister, six brothers-in-law, a niece and three nephews. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, January 15 at 1:00 p.m. in Eriksdale Recreation Centre with Melanie Kauppila officiating. Bill Watson, a family friend, will recall fond memories. Burial of her cremains will follow in Eriksdale Municipal Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tsunami Relief agencies or a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank everyone who has helped Mum in so many ways over the years. Special thanks to her doctors and to the exceptionally caring staff of Eriksdale Personal Care Home. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOMES LTD. ASHERN - LUNDAR 204-768-2072

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 13, 2005