EYLEEN ELIZABETH (DANGERFIELD) RANKIN

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EYLEEN ELIZABETH (DANGERFIELD) RANKIN After a series of increasingly debilitating strokes over the last four years and declining health, Eyleen Rankin, 87, retired her feisty spirit on August 1, 2000. Eyleen was born on May 13, 1913 in Prince Albert, Sask., the eldest daughter of the late Fred and Elizabeth Dangerfield. She outlived her parents; her husband Forbes, and her brothers, George, Jack and Jim. Still around are her son Laird, Winnipeg; her daughter Elizabeth May (Buff) Mills, Dundas, Ont. and husband Cam; four grandchildren, Scott Rankin, Austin, TX, Matthew Rankin, Montreal, Maigen Black, Kitchener, and Drew Black, Mississauga; one sister Jessie Turpin, Phoenix, AZ; and several nieces, nephews and cousins, too numerous to list, as the Dangerfields were a prolific lot, the Rankins being celibate by comparison. Following a stay in Davenport, Ohio - where she began school and where her parents studied chiropractic - Eyleen returned to Prince Albert and then came to Winnipeg where, for all but a few years, she resided in the family home on Claremont Avenue in Norwood. In 1966, following the death of her husband of 29 years a year earlier, she moved to the Roslyn Road area of the city, becoming the first tenant in the as-yet-incomplete Sussex House complex. She was active in the Norwood community, mainly through the Norwood Community Club, of which she was a past president, and Norwood United Church, where she was a member of Unit #1. Norwood was also the source of many life-long friends, several of whom she played bridge with regularly for over half a century. She was an alumna of the Lt Melville Wood Guild. She relished her summer times at the family cottage on the Arason farm at Husavik, on Lake Winnipeg, a retreat initiated by her late mother-in-law in 1932 who responded to a highway sign advertising "Tourist properties for rent." Eyleens children and grandchildren thank her for many things, not the least of which was instilling in them, an equal love for the place, its rustic charm and idiosyncrasies. She had an equal passion for knitting - for which she developed an exceptional, self-taught skill - and she leaves a colourful, easy-care legacy of mitts, scarves, shawls, slippers, sweaters and afghans that are the pride of those who own them. Due to ill health, Eyleen became a resident of the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg in February, 1999, a difficult move for her as it marked the end of independence which she relished as much as the lake. The family deeply appreciated the patience, exceptional care, compassion and many kindnesses she received from the staff and residents at the Home. At Eyleens request, she has been cremated. A memorial service will be held Friday, August 4, 11:00 a.m. at Norwood United Church, Tache and St. Marys Rd. with Rev. Susan Tough officiating. Flowers are declined but should friends wish to do so, contributions in Eyleens memory may be made to Norwood United Church, 160 St. Marys Rd., Winnipeg, MB, R2H 1H9; or the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, 276 Hugo St. N., Winnipeg, MB, R3M 2N6.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 03, 2000