ELSIE JACKSON (WIRTH)

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ELSIE JACKSON (nee WIRTH) Peacefully, on June 16, 2005, Mary Elsie Alvina Jackson passed away at the Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg. Born on September 11, 1915 in Melville, SK to Austrian immigrant parents, Frank and Catherine Wirth, Mother was the third eldest of their seven children: Annie, Johnny, Evie, Albert, Kay and Ernest. At age seven, the family moved to Laura Street in Winnipeg where Mother spent her early years. By age 14, she was living on Elgin Street and caring for her family as her own mother, diagnosed with tuberculosis, was hospitalized for the next eight years. Mother became proficient at cooking, baking (her wonderful Christmas cakes and homemade breads), knitting (her many sweaters are treasured keepsakes), and crocheting. During this time she was introduced by her best friend (and future sister-in-law) Molly Jackson to John (Andy) Jackson. They were married on September 22, 1934 in the United Church. They lived briefly in the same community until after their sons were born and then moved to Barrie, ON where Dad was in training with the Fort Garry Horse prior to being shipped overseas. Mother then returned to Winnipeg with the boys, settling in the Weston area. Upon Dad's return, they welcomed two daughters into their family. Their house was small but filled with music, laughter and many good times as their children grew up. In their later years, they farmed briefly in Lundar before retiring to Chalet Louis Riel in Winnipeg and Mother continued to reside there after Dad died in 1986. In February 2004, she moved into an apartment in nearby Meadowood Manor. Although her quality of life was impaired by her diabetes, her deteriorating vision and hearing, Mother maintained her sense of humour and through the wonderful support of her Home Care ladies and nurses, Judy, Margaret, Janice and Robyn, she was able to continue living on her own. The family also wishes to thank Dr. Coyle and the doctors and nurses of the Misericordia and Victoria Hospitals who tended Mother over this past year. Mother leaves to mourn her passing, her children, John (Orysia), Wayne (Loretta), Larry (Ollie), Carol Anderson (Larry), and Sharon Scharf (Rick); 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; her two surviving siblings, Johnny Wirth and Evie Andrews; her sisters-in-law, Molly and Margaret Jackson; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22 at the Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elsie's name to either the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN LAWN FUNERAL HOME 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. 982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 20, 2005