WONETTA FERN CRAWFORD (published on October 31, 2009)
| WONETTA FERN CRAWFORD (nee FORSYTH) April 11, 1926 - October 27, 2009 Peacefully, at the Middlechurch Home, with her family at her side, Mom left this world and went to be reunited with our Dad, Raymond, who predeceased her in 2001. Remaining to cherish her memory are her children Barbara (Donald), Carol (Danny), Lorraine (Bob), Stewart and Nancy; her grandchildren Bonnie (Brent), Ryan (Jessica), Shannon, Dana, Colin, Sophie, and Evan; her great-grandchild Isabella; her sister Laura Paquin and her brother Kelsey Forsyth. Mom was born in Biggar, Saskatchewan, the second eldest of eight children, and was raised on a farm where her responsibilities were many. Her children loved to hear tales about life on the farm and how she regularly ferried her siblings to the one-room schoolhouse in a horse-drawn sleigh. When she finished school, Mom left the farm and moved to Saskatoon, where she was employed as a telephone operator. There she met the love of her life, Raymond Crawford. They were married in 1949 and shortly after, moved to Winnipeg, where they lived for many healthy and happy years. Besides raising five children, Mom found time to work at the Children's Aid Society and at Sears, to compete in and win the Manitoba Women's Archery championship for several consecutive years, and to become an accomplished seamstress who created everything from doll clothes to her children's winter coats. Other favourite pastimes were knitting, needlework and gardening. She accompanied Dad and daughter Nancy to Saudi Arabia for three years, where they traveled to exotic places, made life-long friends and had many adventures. After retirement, Mom and Dad moved to Parksville, BC, where Mom's love of gardening, canning, cooking and entertaining really flourished. She was also active in the United Church and performed secretarial duties for the Ballenas Power and Sail Squadron. After the death of her beloved Raymond in 2001, she moved back to Winnipeg to be near her children. Mom was a truly inspirational role model - generous, caring, kind and thoughtful - and was loved by all who knew her. Above all else, Mom loved and lived for her children, always putting their needs ahead of her own. She faced her battle with Parkinson's disease with courage and dignity, comforted by her belief in a better life to come. She will be deeply missed by all of us and our many cherished memories will give us strength in the years ahead. The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Middlechurch Home for their wonderful, compassionate care. A memorial service will be held on Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St., Winnipeg. Flowers are gratefully declined, and in lieu, donations can be made to the Parkinson's Society of Manitoba or to the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg Inc. Don't think of her as gone away Her journey's just begun Life holds so many facets This earth is only one Just think of her as resting, From the sorrows and the tears, In a place of warmth and comfort Where there are no days or years Think how she must be wishing That we could know today How nothing but our sadness Can really pass away And think of her as living In the hearts of those she touched For nothing loved is ever lost And she was loved so much. |
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