Jane BRIDGEMAN

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BRIDGEMAN: Jane Margaret Bridgeman (Dunlop) passed away surrounded by the love of family and friends at the Assiniboine Centre in Brandon on May 5th, 2009. Janie was born at home in Dunrea, Manitoba September 3rd, 1925 where she lived and went to school till grade 11. Janie had fond memories of Christmas at the Dunlop farm in the “big house”. Her love of Christmas lasted throughout her life because, for her, it symbolized family. She was however, a “town” girl, so when she went to teach on permit at Buttrum, a country school, she found it very isolated. Janie then took a stenographers course in Brandon where she lived at the YWCA and met many lifelong friends. After completing her education, Janie worked at Voy’s Furniture store in Brandon for 8 years. She became good friends with the Voys and called Mr. Voy one of her greatest inspirations. Janie met Kenneth Rae Bridgeman, the man of her dreams. They met on a blind date, only he was not her date. They had a short engagement of 6 months and were married on May 31, 1952. Janie and Ken moved to Ken’s farm near Moline where they raised 5 children. Ken had a mixed farm until 1966, when he started in the PMU business. Horses were a big part of the KJ5 Ranch, as their place was called (Ken, Jane, and the 5 kids). The KJ5 was a “Farm Vacation” for several years. Many of the people who stayed at the farm became lasting family friends. Janie was the centre and the core of the KJ5. Though Janie didn’t venture outside much to look after the farming aspect of the ranch, you could always be sure that she was busy with laundry, cleaning, making meals, and looking after Farm Vacationers. She could put together a meal, never knowing whether there would be 2 or 20 sitting down for dinner or supper. It was amazing what Janie could put together, no one even knew that she had been scrambling and wondering what to have as soon as she saw an unfamiliar vehicle drive in the yard. And the baking –goodness! There were always cookies of some sort, butter tarts usually fresh out of the oven for afternoon coffee and her famous Lazy Dazy cake. Her whole afternoon of baking was usually gone in the half hour that everyone came and had coffee... just some crumbs and some really satisfied belly pats were her reward. The Bridgeman kitchen became the local Moline coffee shop. When Ken passed away in 2005, a little of Janie did too. She moved from their beloved KJ5 ranch to the River Heights Terrace in Brandon, where Janie made many friends very quickly and became part of all the activities. She especially enjoyed doing puzzles. Life was not a puzzle for Janie, it was simple. Janie was a good wife, mother and friend. She said her greatest accomplishments in life were being married to Ken, raising five kids, and being a good friend. She taught her family how important “family” is, and she taught everyone around her how being and having a good friend is definitely an accomplishment. Her Honorary Pallbearers were all her friends and family, her friends from her youth, her old and dear friends from Moline and her new and dear friends from the “Terrace”. Janie had a quiet faith and knew she would be with the love of her life, Ken, soon, but did not complain. We are sure Ken and Janie are dancing together now talking about how proud they are of their 12 grandchildren and how they adore their great granddaughter. Janie will be greatly missed by everyone she called “dearie”. When I get where I'm going There'll be only happy tears. I will shed the sins and struggles, I have carried all these years. And I'll leave my heart wide open,I will love and have no fear.When I get where I'm going,Don't cry for me down here. - Brad PaisleyJanie was predeceased by her parents Robert William Dunlop and Mary Jane McKenzie Dunlop, her three half brothers Robert George and his wife Reta, James Hood and his wife Edna and Thomas (Tommy) (who died when he was 19 of a baseball injury). Her brothers-in-law Geordie McCaulay and Dan Nevin, niece Danna Nevin and sister-in-law, Verlie Dunlop. Her brothers-in-law Russell Bridgeman and his wife Charlotte, William Bridgeman, Lorne Bridgeman and his wife Edith and Roy Bridgeman. Her brothers-in-law Raymond McLaughlin and Richard (Dick) English. Janie is survived by her 5Ks and their families. Daughter Keneen Marie Bridgeman Magnowski (Tom), grandson Nicholas Brooks Kenneth (Jennifer) Magnowski, great granddaughter Alwyne Nikole and grandson Thomas Kole Bridgeman Magnowski, son Kirk Robert (Gail) Bridgeman and granddaughter Kristy Jane, son Kevin James (Julie) Bridgeman and grandchildren Justin Shayne, Karalyn Jessie and Kassidy Rae, son Kelly Rae (Myra) Bridgeman and grandchildren Halee Anne, Logan Rae and Beau Allan and daughter Kimberly Jane (Grant) Gee and grandchildren Kelsey Lee Lane, Nicolas James Gee and Kacee Jane Gee. Also surviving are Janie’s sisters Ann Jane McKenzie Nevin and Agnes Flora McCaughley and her brother John William (Jack) Dunlop (Bess). Janie is also survived by her other family the “Bridgeman’s”. Sisters- in-law Mary McLaughlin and Ethel English, brothers-in-law Earl (Evelyn) Bridgeman and Arnold (Greta) Bridgeman. Janie is also survived by many nieces and nephews, friends and extended family. The funeral service was held Saturday, May 9th, 2009, 11:00 a.m. from Central United Church, Brandon with Rev. Laird Russell-Yearwood officiating. Pallbearers were all her beloved grandchildren and honorary pallbearers were all family and friends present. Brooks Magnowski, Janie’s grandson, offered the eulogy. Interment followed at the Rosewood Memorial Gardens. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415-1st Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 2W8. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 16, 2009