Blanche COPELAND

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COPELAND: Blanche May Copeland passed away on Friday, June 11, 2010 at the Souris District Hospital. Born Blanche May McKenzie “although those who truly knew her, knew that in order to ensure their own safety it was best to call her Girlie”. Girlie was the youngest child of John and Dora McKenzie, born August 26, 1917 at Brandon, Manitoba and was later raised in Justice, just north of Brandon. Girlie and her family lived with the Sandercock Family where her Mother kept house. Girlie milked cows and ran the binder from the young age of six, and by age 16 she was earning $12.00 a month. In order to earn extra money she would enter fairs with cattle and horses. She received her schooling at Orange Hall in Justice. In 1939 Girlie came to Bunclody to look after the aging parents of her future husband, Gilford “Diff” Copeland. They were married in October 1949, making the farm at Bunclody their home for the next 30 years. She began her journey as a devoted wife while remaining the strong, independent, hard working woman that everyone had come to know. To this day, some people would call her “stubborn” and others would say her persistence and perseverance came naturally as a “red head”. She was a wonderful homemaker, making meals for the field and giving generously within the community. It didn’t matter who came into the yard, or when they arrived, everyone was always welcome. She was an enthusiastic member of the Bunclody Willing Workers and helped to plan the dedication of the cairn at Bunclody Park. She was a well-rounded athlete in the community, and she had the reputation of having “quite an arm” when it came to baseball. She also played the position of goaltender for the ladies hockey team. A couple of years after she was married, Girlie started her life-long career as a Mom to Donna, Arlene, and Cheryl. She was caring, hardworking and always there for them as they grew, go married and had their own families. In 1979 Diff and Girlie retired to Souris, and with the location of their home being just across from the school, they were always available at a moments notice for any one of the grandchildren. Nothing pleased Grandma more than when the door opened and one of them needed a ride somewhere or a quick snack before skating or hockey practice. In December 2005, Girlie moved into Victoria Park Lodge, where she resided until November 2006, when she moved to Souris Personal Care Home. Girlie enjoyed good health until she broke her hip in March 2010. Although her mobility decreased she maintained a positive outlook on life. She enjoyed all the family visits and loved the company of those around her. She was predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband Diff, brothers and sisters-in-law Frank (Rita) and Art (Mabel) and sister and brother-in-law Margaret (Jules) Pluey. She is survived by her daughters Donna (Don) Fenwick and Arlene (John) Page both of Souris, Manitoba and Cheryl (Mike) Carrier of Trenton, Ontario, grandchildren Mark, Karen, Jackie (David), Chris (Crystal), Michelle (Derek), Shane, Matthew, Nicholas and great-grandchildren Cole, Avery, McKenna, Kelsey, Raylee, Ella, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on June 16th from St. Paul’s United Church, Souris with Rev. Harvey Hurren officiating. Interment took place at Carroll Cemetery. Donations in memory of Girlie may be made to Souris Hospital Palliative Care or the Souris Personal Care Home Courtyard Fund.Where a beautiful soulhas traveled......Beautiful memoriesremain forever.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jul 17, 2010