ELSIE ELEANOR (NANA) CRAIG (EAKIN)

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ELSIE ELEANOR (NANA) CRAIG (EAKIN) Elsie Eleanor Nana Craig, aged 100, passed peacefully at Middlechurch Home in Winnipeg, on August 28, 2012. Elsie was born on January 21, 1912 in Finaghy, Northern Ireland to Sarah and John Eakin. In 1918, she lost both her mother and sister Nora to the Spanish Flu. Elsie was raised by her grandmother. In 1928, at the age of 16, she met the love of her life, Robert Robin Craig. He joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary and, as a new recruit, was unable to marry. Elsie waited for her love and, shortly after her 29th birthday in 1941, the two were married. Before and after her marriage, Elsie had a career working as secretary and office manager for the Automobile Association. Elsie especially loved to read, crochet, and do crossword puzzles to keep her mind sharp. She and Robin shared a love of travel, often taking trips to the seaside with their young children. Later, they visited their grandchildren in Canada. In 1981, Robin and Elsie retired to Selkirk, Manitoba. They continued to travel both in Canada and abroad. They indulged, not infrequently, in lively libations with family and friends. And, they loved each other madly. Robin's death in 1992 was a shocking loss for Elsie. Slowly, she developed a new self confidence and began using her sassy sense of humour to charm everyone around her. Nana will be lovingly remembered by her two children RoseMarie (Hank) Riese and John (Linda) Craig; six grandchildren Craig (Crystal) Riese, Jennifer (Peter) Bayne, Allison Riese, Kelly (Robert) Hill, Katrina (Dave) Choquette, and Rebecca (Brett) Craig; and seven great-grandchildren Emma, Cate, Ben, Amanda, Evan, Marcus and Ryan. The family would like to thank the staff of the Middlechurch Home for their wonderful care and support of Elsie in her final years. Donations in honour of Nana's life can be made to the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg or the charity of your choice. Following a private family interment at St. Andrew's Church Cemetery, a celebration of Elsie's life will be held at Gilbart Funeral Home, 309 Eveline St., Selkirk, Manitoba on Saturday, September 1 at 10:30 a.m. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 31, 2012