CORA ALENE ANN ANDERSON

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CORA ALENE ANN ANDERSON Peacefully, on Friday, January 8, 2016 at the Grace Hospice, our mother was called home to the Lord. Alene was born August 9, 1929 to Harry and Nelda Gamble. She grew up in Yorkton and Swift Current, SK and Kenora, ON before the family moved to Dauphin, MB in March, 1941. After completing school in Dauphin, she worked at CKDM radio and Western Grocers. In 1951 she married her sweetheart and love, Tom, with whom she shared almost 60 years of marriage before his passing in 2011. The family moved briefly to North Battleford, SK before moving to Winnipeg in 1957 and settling into their new house in Charleswood in 1960, where they remained until their passing. Her employment resume included Secretary at Westminster United Church, and Accountant/Bookkeeper for Charleswood Building Supplies and Shorty's Construction until her full retirement in 1987. Family was Alene's passion. In addition to being a loving wife and mother, she was a friend, a confidante, a supporter and a constructive critic to the clan. Family activities were her mainstay, whether that was a vacation in Redditt, ON, a Caribbean cruise or a friendly card game after a magnificent meal. There were annual traditions that included a donut making day, and a cabbage roll and perogie making day that were usually followed by a hearty tuna noodle casserole. She delighted in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and all of their endeavours and activities. Travel was her secondary passion. She and Tom had many vacations together that included Columbia, Antigua, and Spain before they settled on the Algarve in Portugal where they wintered for more than 20 years in Alvor, developing a second family of long term vacationers over there. On more than one occasion they made it possible for their children to join them in their "Portuguese Paradise". More recently she caught the cruising bug and, with family members, had been to Alaska, the Panama Canal and the Caribbean. In 2011, with the rigors of travel between Winnipeg and Portugal becoming too much, she and Tom shifted their winter vacations to Osoyoos, BC. They enjoyed one winter there together, and after Tom's passing, Alene returned for an additional four winters, developing a circle of friends similar to the Portugal group. Her personal interests included Gilbert & Sullivan, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Manitoba Opera, the Winnipeg Goldeyes and an annual family picnic and production at Rainbow Stage to which, by popular demand, she brought precisely the same meal every year. She also possessed a huge collection of elephants, as ornaments or displayed on other items, started by a single gift. After her retirement, she bought her first personal computer in 1989, and while mostly self-taught, soon developed her skills to a level that allowed her to record and manage their personal finances, correspond with friends around the world, make sure no one went without a printed or e-card, complete with verse, to celebrate their special occasion. What started as a casual hobby, developed into a major project as she developed genealogical family trees for both sides of the family dating back to the early 1600s. Sadly missed by son Bruce (Janet), daughters Kathryn, and Karyn (Murray), grandchildren David, Karyn, Bill, Tom (Melissa), Amanda, Kylie, and Ryan, great-grandchildren Ellie and Shae, sister June (Bill) Brychka, and nieces and nephews Jan Brychka, Mary Brychka (Bob Antonchuk) and Jim Brychka. Also missed by Cindy George and Kristy Dreger. Alene's family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr Gillian Breckman and to the staff at the Grace Hospital and Grace Hospice for their care and compassion, and to Rev. Dr. Michael Wilson for his spiritual support, through this time of need. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday January 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Charleswood United Church, 4820 Roblin Blvd., Winnipeg. Private interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, should friends so desire, donations may be made to Charleswood United Church, to the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Winnipeg, or to a charity of one's choice. A Chapter ended A Page turned A Life well lived A Rest well earned For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 12, 2016