MABEL BOYD SANGSTER (CRAWFORD)

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MABEL BOYD SANGSTER (nee CRAWFORD) Peacefully on August 5, 2005, our dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and auntie Mabel passed away at Concordia Hospital at the age of 84 years. She was predeceased by her husband George on August 5, 1988; brother Grant and sisters, Alberta ( Bertie ) and Helen. Mom leaves to cherish her memory sons, George and Craig (Linda) of Winnipeg, and Doug (Shirley) of Waterdown, ON.; grandchildren, Shelley, Cindy, James, Caileigh, Tara and Paul; great-grandchildren, Cameron, Dylan, Jaz, Christopher and Riley; her dear sister Roberta Bobby of Winnipeg, and sisters, Lou and Jackie (Gary) of Thunder Bay, ON. Born in Winnipeg on January 22, 1921 mom spent all but one of her 84 years in Winnipeg never ceasing to enjoy the vast prairie sunsets. She attended St. John's High School before marrying George and, after a year in Vancouver, settled in Point Douglas, Elmwood and then East Kildonan to raise their family. Later in life she embarked on a career in accounting where she was able to aptly express her love of numbers and for detail. Mom loved the outdoors and the diverse landscape of the prairies, spending many a summer enjoying cottage life, first at Inwood, MB then on the Brokenhead River, Sunset Beach on Lake Winnipeg and finally at Pye's Landing on Clearwater Bay, ON where she would spend countless hours sitting in her verandah greeting neighbours and enjoying the view. Family meant everything to mom and she was the spiritual and guiding force that has kept us together all these many years. Her courage and incredible perseverance through many years of illness and pain was an example to us all of how the human spirit can indeed triumph over the frailties of physical life. She loved to read, especially history and geography, and was always ready to share her knowledge opening many eyes to the world around them. Mom also loved to play cards, especially bridge, where she was a regular fixture at Bronx Park and Good Neighbours for many years making new friends as well as reconnecting with old ones, especially her dearest friend Betty. Mom had a passion for cooking and enjoyed nothing more than having friends and family over for Sunday dinner, serving delicious meals derived from often secret recipes. We are so going to miss you mom. Your spirit, humour (especially the Mabel-isms), love of life and family and your constant message that life is for living , and that we have a gift and the responsibility to go out and make the absolute most with the time we've been given. We know you are now reunited with dad and others so loved and we remain here to celebrate your life and the legacy you leave after 84 glorious years. Thank you for being our beacon and safe harbour in stormy seas. Mothers Always Bring Extra Love The family would like to thank the staff at the Concordia Hospital as well as Maureen and the staff at the Seven Oaks Day Hospital Program for their extraordinary care and compassion these past few years. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service celebrating Mabel's life will take place on Wednesday, August 10 at 12:00 noon in the Coutu Funeral Home, 680 Archibald Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mabel's memory to a charity of one's choice. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E.J COUTU CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 08, 2005