JANET RUTH (IVERACH) BEDFORD

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JANET RUTH (IVERACH) BEDFORD In the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg on June 16, 2003 in her 100th year, Janet Bedford, beloved mother of Gerald (Jean) of Winnipeg, Ronald (Trudy) of Ottawa, and Muriel of Orillia, ON, peacefully left this life. At her passing she was the "matriarch" (oldest living member) of the Iverach clan, world-wide, the eldest child of James Iverach, who had arrived in Canada from Scotland in 1885, later to be followed by four brothers and two sisters and his mother, "Granny" Iverach. During this period other Iverachs emigrated to Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Janet was born in Winnipeg on September 7, 1903 to James Iverach and Maggie Maud Foster who had been married in 1901. In 1910 she moved with her family to the Isabella district, where they were among the founding families of that community. She married Ernest H. Bedford in 1924. They farmed for a period, and moved to Melita, MB in 1938. A dozen years later found them in Brandon, where Janet joined the White Sewing Machine Co. (which had an outlet in the T. Eaton Co. store) in sales and instruction in 1957, becoming Manager shortly after, and Ernest found a position as a Hotel Clerk. In 1970 Janet was asked to become Assistant Manager in the larger Winnipeg office, and her home from that time became Winnipeg. She retired in 1973 at the age of 70. Upon settling in Winnipeg Janet and her husband joined the North Kildonan United Church and she was appointed the representative of her church to the University of Winnipeg Womens Auxiliary, on which body she served for 30 years and from which in 1990 she was awarded a certificate of appreciation for "Outstanding Service to the University". In later years she began the writing of her Memoirs, a work she completed in early 2000. A few months later, in June, she suffered a disabling stroke. After a period in the Riverview Rehabilitation Centre she moved in June 2001 to the Middlechurch Home. While there, on her 99th birthday, she was presented with a special plaque from North Kildonan United in recognition of her "many dedicated years of Christian service". Throughout her long life Janet was a spiritual guide and counsellor to all members of her own family, to members of many C.G.I.T. groups, and to many individuals in the various communities in which she had lived. She leaves her three children, as indicated above; six grandchildren, Douglas (Lori), Dale, James (Dawn-Lynne), Michael (Barbara), Dianne (Michael), and Susan (Richard) nine great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; 12 nieces and nine nephews; numerous cousins; and sister-in-law Esther Iverach of Red Deer, AB. She was predeceased by her mother in 1919; her father in 1945; and husband Ernest in 1988; her sisters, Anna Adams (1987) and Margaret Linss (1974) her brothers, Jack (1943), Hugh (1989), Donald (1992), William (1992) and James (1998). Also predeceasing her were two brothers-in-law and four sisters-in-law. All five of her brothers served in the armed forces in the Second World War. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Janet will be held in North Kildonan United Church, 174 Pentland St., on Monday, June 23, at 2:00 p.m., with the Rev. Mr. Marc Whitehead officiating. Interment has taken place at a private service. The family expresses its heartfelt thanks to the staffs of St. Boniface Hospital, Riverview Rehabilitation Centre, Miseracordia Hospital, and the Middlechurch Home. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg, 280 Balderstone Rd., West St. Paul, MB R4A 4A6. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN EDEN FUNERAL HOME 4477 MAIN STREET 338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 21, 2003