Phyllis ASHBEE

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ASHBEE: Phyllis May Ashbee, beloved wife of Rev. Ronald Ashbee and dear mother to Phyllis, Beverley and Bill, passed away at Fairview Home on Tuesday, August 2, 2011. May was born in Prince Albert, SK September 27, 1919, the first of four girls born to Ned and Christie Irvine. She grew upon the farm, a section of land in the Halcro District southeast of Prince Albert. Very early in her childhood her father appointed May as his “right hand man” because she loved to help with the farm chores. At the age of six, she was too young to walk the distance to school by herself, so she began attending school at the age of 7 1Ž2 with her younger sister Esther. Her natural love of learning enabled her to catch up to her classmates very quickly. A year or two after finishing her schooling May took a position at the Prince Albert Sanatorium. May later worked in the Burns meat packing plant until she obtained a job as a teller in the Imperial Bank. Music was very dear to May’s heart. She loved to attend concerts at Brandon University with her daughter Phyllis or with the Price family, as well as performances by her grandchildren. May was introduced to Ron Ashbee at the Pentecostal Church in Prince Albert where he was assistant pastor. Both were in their early thirties when they met. They married on November 24, 1951 and after a brief honeymoon they moved to McBride, BC where Ron assisted his sister and brother -in-law in pasturing a small church. On May 9, 1953 their daughter Phyllis was born. That summer Ron accepted the invitation to pastor a small church in Spruce Lake, Saskatchewan and the family moved back to the prairies. Twins, Beverley and Billy were born on July 31, 1954. During the child-rearing years May demonstrated self- sacrifice for the well-being of her children. She was creative and thrifty on a modest pastor’s salary, sewing most of her children’s clothing. The family moved to Yorkton, Saskatchewan and then to Winnipeg in 1964. May returned to working outside the home at the University of Manitoba Student Union building. In 1971, the family moved to Brandon where she worked at the new Canadian Tire store until retirement. Keen “detective” skills came in handy with her children or at work when people would try to steal goods from the store. May seemed to have eyes in the back of her head. She was always loved by the people in each church where Ron served as pastor. Being very hospitable, her home was always a welcome place for friends. She loved gardening and was a talented baker, renowned for her unforgettable apple pie and raisin cookies. Corresponding with family and friends was very important. May was proud of her husband and believed in and trusted her children. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and loved being around children and young people, even if their music was louder than she enjoyed! Ron and May 9 wonderful years together. The Funeral Ceremony was held at Bethel Christian Assembly on Monday, August 8, 2011. Pastor Mike Davis and Pastor Bill Ashbee officiated. Interment followed at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Friends who wish may make a donation in memory of May to the Circle Square Ranch, P.O. Box 99, Austin, Manitoba, R0H 0C0. Expressions of sympathy may be made atwww.memorieschapel.com.Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 13, 2011