WINIFRED EUPHEMIA FIGLEY

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WINIFRED EUPHEMIA FIGLEY (PATERSON) August 13, 1919 - July 19, 2015 96 years of vitality and a well lived life! It is with deep sadness that the family announces the passing of Win on July 19, 2015 at Tuxedo Villa Extendicare with family by her side. Win is survived by children Patricia Euphemia Reid (Gary Cornelius) and Lyle Grant Figley (Mary-Ann Davis Figley); grandchildren Alison Euphemia West James, Adam Christopher Marshall (Kimberley Elizabeth Ackermann); great-grandchildren Eden Euphemia West James, Randy James Marshall, Jasmine Jade Marshall, Brock Alan Marshall, and Bryn Elizabeth Marshall; family friends Paul Reid and Pearl McGonigal; as well as cousins George, Gail, Rob and Sandy Coghlan, Clare, Maureen, Kevin, Campbell and Erin Figley, and Rob and Kelly Black. Win was predeceased by her husband Lyle Ira Figley; as well as Norm Coghlan, Barb Coghlan, Malcolm Figley, Joan Figley, Dorothy Black, Cecil Black and Doug Black. Mum was born and raised in Kenora, Ontario, known then as Rat Portage! She had the most loving parents and she was a loving daughter. She was beautiful, fair with deep auburn hair, trim, shy, although also, spunky and fun loving. She came from a modest home and her parents were devoted to each other. Norman Paterson and Euphemia Steward met in Dundee, Scotland, when Norman or Papa as we called him, went to visit his aunt, Effie Stewart, while he was on a medical leave. He was recovering from being injured from shrapnel in the back while fighting in France during the First World War. They married in Dundee in 1918. These were Mum's deeply inherited Scottish roots. Mum loved the Lake of the Woods. She loved to swim, canoe and go fishing. She loved to spend time at their camp on Longbow Lake east of Kenora. She loved her dogs and she loved to sing, play the piano and go to dances. In 1946, Mum took a huge step and moved to Winnipeg, the big city. She got a job at The Bay in the Ladies Shoes Department. At the same time, Lyle had already graduated with a Degree in Pharmacy from the University of Saskatchewan. He moved to Winnipeg in 1946 to pursue a degree in Medicine at the University of Manitoba. However, this plan was sidetracked when Lyle met Win, that beautiful young woman with flaming red hair. Win and Lyle were married on January 2, 1948, at Westminster United Church in Winnipeg. Between 1957 and July 1965, Mum moved the family nine times in nine years, to Winnipeg, Dryden, Moose Jaw, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary and Winnipeg. Through all of these moves, Mum used her inner strength and ingenuity to set up homes and support Lyle and her children. After Lyle's death in 1965, Mum moved us back from Calgary to Winnipeg. Back to her old neighbourhood in Ft. Garry and back to be closer to her parents, family and friends. She was 45. She had never worked outside of the home since her marriage. She became employed full-time again at The Bay. We remember Mum and how responsible she was, not only to her family and friends but also to her staff in her position as Supervisor in the Ladies Shoes Department at The Bay. She was the cheerleader and their mentor. She took the bus morning and night, winter and summer and we don't think she was ever late. She was the first to get in and the last to leave. Mum retired after 20 years of service. She defined "customer service" in Ladies Shoes. The Department had a memorable retirement party for her at the Fort Garry Hotel. It was a milestone in her life. We danced our shoes off at the Wildwood Club until the wee hours! And as Eden said, "God is life. God is Spirit. Spirits are Angels, And Angels love to Dance." Great-Grandma loved that! In her retirement she continued to be active and was involved in many Creative Retirement Programs. She loved learning. Mum offered us the gifts of her personal inner strength and DETERMINATION to make the best of life. We admire and want to acknowledge her strength as a single parent and her strength while managing and succeeding while she did it all on her own. Mum was an independent woman and self-sufficient person. She had courage and an optimistic approach to all of the challenges that she faced. Mum loved deeply. She was an energetic force in our lives. We are deeply grateful to her for her love. A Celebration of Win's life will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Thomson "In the Park" Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard. Reception will follow. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to the wonderful caregivers at Tuxedo Villa Extendicare Unit 2 - for their genuine, professional care and kindness. Our thanks to all of our friends for their kindness and support. We'll miss you, Mum, Grandma, GG. You will always be close to our hearts. LOVE SURROUNDS YOU. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to send a donation to the Winnipeg Humane Society, Siloam Mission or any charity of your choice. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 204-925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 21, 2015