Winifred GERVIN

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GERVIN: Winifred Kathryn. It is with deep sadness that the family of Winifred Kathryn Gervin announce her passing at her home in Boissevan on November 21, 2010. Winifred was born on January 30, 1918 at West Liberty, Iowa. She was the last surviving child of Albert and Winifred Anderson. Winifred was predeceased by infant twin boys, her two sisters, Marion and Jane, and one brother, Albert, her husband Alton, her son Pat and her son-in-law Howard Miller. Winifred’s family moved from Iowa to Drumheller, Alberta in 1927 where they made their livelihood farming. It was Drumheller, where Winifred met Alton and their courtship began. They were married in Calgary, Alberta on December 21, 1937, the first day of the winter solstice and the start of nearly 55 years of a wonderful union! In 1941 Winifred and Alton moved from Drumheller to Goodlands, Manitoba and lived there for 32 years, raising their family of 10 children. Even though our home was full, Winifred could always make room for an extra person or two at the table. In 1973 Winnifred and Alton moved to Boissevain where she resided at 712 McKenzie Street until her passing. Winifred was an active member of the U.C.W. at Goodlands for many years, and was always eager to lend a helping hand for any community event. After moving to Boissevain, she enjoyed her position on the board of the Boissevain Library. She was a proud member of the Boissevain I.O.D.E. Winifred used to joke that she was probably the only person who was a member of the International Order of the Daughters of the Empire AND a chartered member of the Daughters of the American Revolution! Winifred’s entire life centered around her home and her children. She measured happiness, success and strength through her family and their constant growth. The arrival of a new baby was her life’s delight! Winifred is survived by 9 children and their spouses, 28 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren. Winifred’s life was rich with family. She found joy in simple pleasures: a neatly tended flower bed, watching the song birds at a freshly filled feeder, conquering the challenge of her daily crossword puzzle. We will miss her dearly but more than anything we are grateful to have known her and for all the countless ways she enriched our lives. A graveside service celebrating Winifred’s life was held on November 25, 2010 at Goodlands, Manitoba. Active pallbearers were grandsons, Curtis Gervin, Patrick Gervin, Gary Gervin, Scott Sambrook, Matt Palmer, and James Miller. The remaining grandchildren were in attendance as honorary pallbearers.We want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who joined us on November 25, 2010 to celebrate Mom’s life. Your comfort and support throughout Mom’s illness, on the day of her service and since her passing has been greatly appreciated. Thank you also to the Goodlands ladies for preparing the lunch and to everyone who has made donations in Mom’s memory. It is a great comfort to know that our Mother touched so many lives with her kindness and that many hearts will remember her with love. From the Gervin Family.Here She ComesI am standing on the seashore A ship spreads her sails to the morning breezeand starts for the ocean.I stand watching her until she fades on the horizonand someone at my side says,“She is gone!”Gone where?The loss of sight is in me, not in her.Just at the moment when someone says, “She is gone!,there are others watching her coming.Other voices take up the glad shout,“Here she comes!”

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 26, 2011