MILDRED ETHEL SPEIRS

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MILDRED ETHEL SPEIRS Peacefully, on Saturday, August 6, 2005 at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, Mildred Ethel Speirs passed away. Mildred is survived by her son James (Kathy); daughter Jane (Doug) of Calgary, AB; grandchildren, Patrick, Kate and Winston; sisters-in-law, Trish Jones and Joan Speirs; Kathy's family and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother Irene Jane Jones (1979); her father Robert Jones (1923); her brother Bob (1943) and her brother Douglas (1951). Mildred was born on April 15, 1918 in Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland. In 1923, Mildred moved from Ireland to Canada with her recently widowed mother and two brothers. After arriving by ship in Montreal, they travelled by train to Winnipeg where they had family who had already relocated from Ireland. Mildred's first memory of her new country after the arduous journey was seeing the electric street lights on Main Street while being driven from the train station to her grandmother's home. Mildred grew up in Norwood in a house with her siblings, her mother, her grandmother and several uncles and aunts. She graduated from Queen Elizabeth High School. During the Second World War, Mildred worked at Modern Dairies Ltd. as a telephone switchboard operator. Her boss, J.W. Speirs, introduced Mildred to his son Gordon when he was home on furlough from the air force. After the war, Gordon asked Mildred out and when he picked her up, he arrived with a shamrock plant for her mother. Mildred told the story many times that she knew then that this was the man she would marry. Gordon proposed to Mildred in a canoe on Lac Lu Lake and they married in November 1946. They lived for many years in Norwood. After the birth of her son Jim in 1949, Mildred's mother, grandma Jones, moved in with her. The 1950 flood was an event that brought all the young families in the area together to build the dikes. Many of Mildred and Gordon's lifelong friends were made at this time. In 1951, Mildred's brother, Douglas died. Mildred had always felt a special bond with his children and her sister-in-law Trish. Her daughter Jane was born in 1953 and with the always present Scottish Terriers, her family was complete. The next years were so happy for Mildred. Between raising her children, bridge club, curling at the Winter Club, church unit at Norwood United and then St. Andrews United, dog shows and family gatherings, Mildred was always on the go. In 1957 she and Gordon bought property on Lake of the Woods and built their cottage. For the next 40 years, Mildred was at the lake all summer. In the 1960's, Mildred and Gordon even had a few wild New Year's Eve bashes at the cottage. Thanksgiving dinners and Easter egg hunts were a tradition there as well. Grandma Jones and Gordon tended the garden at the lake while Mildred was busy making her unbeatable raspberry jelly and Mil's Marmalade . Pickerel were plentiful and Mildred's fish frys, fruit pies and generosity were legendary. As was her laugh which could be heard up and down Clearwater Bay. In 1970, Mildred took up golf and was passionate about her new found sport. She joined St. Charles Country Club and when Gordon retired in 1976, they bought a winter home in Sarasota, FL on a golf course. Mildred loved her life in Florida and made many new friends there. Mildred was thrilled with the birth of her grandchildren, Patrick (1985), Kate (1986) and Winston (1987). From that moment on her legions of friends were shown her hundreds of pictures of them and were told of any event in their lives. Dozens of holidays were spent with grandma and papa at the lake and in Florida. Trips to Calgary became a biannual event. The many baby sweaters and hats grandma knitted will always be cherished. In 1991, Mildred's husband Gordon suffered a stroke but they continued to live at the lake and in Florida. As Gordon's health declined, Mildred showed her strength in keeping their lives as active and as meaningful as possible. With Gordon's death in 1998, the weight of caring for and the loss of the man who had so cherished her for 52 years began to take its toll. Mildred was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in late 1999 and declined very quickly over the next 12 months. In 2002, Mildred moved to the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg where she was treated with great care and respect. Throughout these last difficult years, her son Jim handled all aspects of Mildred's care with true devotion. To the end, Mildred maintained the twinkle in her eyes and still could enjoy special moments. Throughout her life, Mildred was very involved with the United Church. She had a deep and true faith that helped her in difficult times. Mildred had a great life. She truly made a difference in the lives of many people. Her energy, kindness, generosity, speed baking and love for her family will be remembered by all who knew her and of course that laugh! Mildred's family would like to thank all those who cared for her during her illness, especially Aikaterini, Vicki, Marsha, Tatiana, Richard, Corrine and the three Brenda's. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 10 at 12:30 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. with interment and reception to follow. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 200-6 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6 or the Alzheimer Society of Winnipeg, Unit 10 - 120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 885-9715 Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Condolence at www.chapellawn.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 08, 2005