BYRDYE BECKEL (BJARNASON)

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BYRDYE BECKEL (nee BJARNASON) Peacefully, on Monday, May 12, 2008, Byrdye passed away at Concordia Place at the age of 80 years. Byrdye was predeceased by her husband Jim, her parents, Barney and Una Bjarnason and sister Diddy. Remaining to cherish her memory are her children and grandchildren Alan (Judy) Aaron and Tyler, Janice (Ken) Paul and Dana Burnett, and Glen of Calgary. Byrdye was born in Winnipeg on May 29, 1927 and resided most of her life in East Kildonan. Some of her favourite pastimes were playing bridge, golfing and was a founding member of the East Kildonan Ladies Curling Club. She enjoyed playing her piano, singing with the Sweet Adelines and her love of painting and most favourite of all was spending time at their cottage at Brereton Lake with family and friends. Byrdye also loved to travel and was very proud of her Icelandic heritage and the highlight of all her travels came in 2000 when she and two of her grandchildren made the trek to Iceland. You would never see Byrdye without a smile on her face as she lived life to the fullest and enjoyed helping others. She worked delivering Meals on Wheels and later became Coordinator of Volunteers, she was a representative for the Welcome Wagon, secretary for home welfare and enjoyed 21 years as executive director of the Christmas Cheer Board of Greater Winnipeg. Byrdye was presented with the prestigious Premier's Volunteer Service Award by then-premier Gary Filmon in 1996 and inducted into the Order of the Buffalo Hunt later that year. The family would like to thank Dr. Carey Isaac, Dr. Paul Sawchuk and to Karen and staff at Concordia Place, thank you so much for your love, kindness and understanding during this past year. Cremation has taken place and a private family interment will take place at Chapel Lawn at a later date. We would like you to join us for a time of remembrance and memories to be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Rossmere Country Club, corner of Watt Street and Leighton Avenue. Please note there is no wheelchair access. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Byrdye can be made to The Byrdye Beckel Scholarship Fund in care of Christmas Cheer Board, Box 68, Stn. F, Winnipeg, MB R2L 2A5. Mom this poem reminds me of you I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again. I know you are safe in the arms of the ones you missed the most So proud to call you our mom and ama We will miss you NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2008