MARGARET JEAN POSTLETHWAITE

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MARGARET JEAN POSTLETHWAITE Peacefully at home surrounded by family, Jean Postlethwaite, aged 77 years of Moosehorn, MB, passed away on March 20, 2013. Jean is survived by her children Diane (Mike) Price, Richard (Marilyn) Postlethwaite, Steven (Janice) Postlethwaite, Marlene (Joe) Michno, Valerie (Bob) Kinkead and Robert (Lori) Postlethwaite; grandchildren Cam (Laurie), Mikey (Janine), Benjamin (Hailey), Lara (Carmen), Shaun (Jennifer), Darcy (Danielle), Brett, Tyler (Rachel), Terrel, Jordan, Leigh, Jay, Lacey (Richard), Sydney, Lexa and Eric; great-grandchildren Seanna, Addison, Sunshine, Bentyn, Stathen, Declan, Danielle and Liam; brothers Jack (Diane) and Dennis (Joanne); sisters Anita and Brenda (Doug); sisters-in-law Rita Postlethwaite and Dorothy Patterson along with numerous nieces, nephews and many good friends. She is predeceased by her husband Sidney, her parents Jack and Daisy Statham along with many other family members. Mom was born on January 25, 1936, in Didsbury, AB, and was raised in Carstairs, AB, where she received her education. She walked to school each day but when rainy or cold, the country western singer Wilf Carter would pick her up and drive her to school. In her younger years, she loved to ride, show her horses and do some barrel racing. It was at the Dog Pound Rodeo grounds that she met Sid. On October 16, 1954, they were married and lived in Cochrane, AB, and surrounding areas raising their four children. They moved to Eriksdale, MB, in 1963, where their last two children were born. In 1971, they started a dairy farm in Ashern, residing there until 2010, then moving to Moosehorn to live with Diane and Mike. We are very proud of Mom's many and varied talents in life. She was a very accomplished artist in oil and water painting, owned and operated a small sewing shop in Ashern and managed three restaurants at one time Jean's, Soup & Such and the Steep Rock Cafe. She was known throughout the countryside for her delicious catering. Mom was nominated in 1995, for both the Manitoba Women Entrepreneur and the Canadian Women Entrepreneur. She was given the Manitoba Long-term Tourist Award in 1999. Mom gave many of the community's youth their first job. Her employees were numerous and she had a bond with each and every one of them. She was so generous with her employees, literally going the extra mile by picking them up when they needed a ride to work and also opened her home to a few when they had no place to live. Mom was always involved in many community events. For many years she was the announcer at the Ashern Rodeo, rode in the musical ride, was a life-time member of the Whitetail & Walleye (who's logo she designed 26 years ago) and was an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Mom was an avid bingo player, loved board games and casino adventures with family and friends. She enjoyed returning to Alberta to visit with family and friends and talked often about her most recent trip back to the Postlethwaite reunion in 2012. It was also at that time the whole family attended the 100th Anniversary of the Calgary Stampede which was the highlight of her trip. Mom had a huge heart and refused to give in to her many illnesses. She never complained and fought through it all with a positive outlook, always planning for the next adventure. In keeping with Mom's wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration honouring her life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Moosehorn Community Hall with Pastor Bill Watson officiating. Service will conclude at the hall with a luncheon to follow. Her 10 grandsons will be Honourary Pallbearers for Grandma that day. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mom's memory can be made to the Lakeshore Hospital Guild, For use in the Palliative Care Unit, c/o Julie Bergner, PO Box 721, Ashern, MB R0C 0E0. Our family would like to thank Dr. Harris of the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, Dr. Rawoof, and the nurses and staff of the Lakeshore General Hospital, Helen, Darlene and the Home Care staff, special friends Pat Cook and Vi Reiser. Also thanks to our many friends for their support to us, especially over the last few months. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOME Ashern - Lundar 1-204-768-2072 1-866-323-3593

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 23, 2013