Jean STRATH

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STRATH: It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of our mother, Jean Isobel Strath on Sunday, November 20, 2011 at Souris Health Centre. Mom was born on August 14, 1930 in Pense, Saskatchewan, the middle child of Wallace and Euphemia Thomson. She was very proud of her Saskatchewan heritage and endured many ribbings from the family because of it. She was predeceased by her brother Douglas and is survived by her sister, Margaret of Victoria. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor in Home Economics in 1951 and worked for the Department of Agriculture Extension Service as one of the first home economists stationed in rural Manitoba. She married our dad, Bill Strath, in July 1952 and since it wasn’t acceptable for a married woman to work full time for the government, she gave up her career to raise a family. She was able to make further use of her education by judging at fairs, teaching clothing classes and participating as a head leader of the Souris 4-H Club. She started her second career with Statistics Canada in 1969 and worked on every Census until the late 80's. In 1976 she entered the political field running as a Liberal MLA in the Brandon Killarney bi-election against Premier Sterling Lyon. She did not win but felt it was important to offer choices to the voters! She ran again the next year in the general election. In the late 70's she hosted a daytime radio talk show on CKX Radio in Brandon. In 1980, Mom and Dad moved to Winnipeg when dad was elected to the board of Manitoba Pool Elevators. Mom loved living in Winnipeg. From this she enjoyed the many events and trips they took for his work. She hated flying and would far rather drive to the destination but still managed to visit Australia and Europe. She loved spending part of her winters in Arizona. Mom was a pioneer for many things and it was thanks to her commitment that Souris now has a Kindergarten program that she helped initiate in 1958 – the first cooperative program in Manitoba. She was instrumental in starting a band program at Souris School. She even tried her hand at retail, opening a woman’s clothing store in Dauphin and Brandon from 1979-82. She loved curling and even though she never played very often herself, was a huge supporter of her son and grandchildren’s games. She and dad enjoyed traveling to the Brier and even attended the world curling in Switzerland. She was also a huge football fan and even though her eyesight failed her in later years, she sat close to the TV, arguing about the calls and cheering on her team. We all know she would be so proud of her Bombers going to the Grey Cup! She is survived by her husband Bill, daughters Marnie (Bob), Barb (Cal), Jennifer, and son Jim (Val), her nine grandchildren, Shannon (Brad), Jillian (Grant), Meghan, Sheena (Tom), Connor, Hamish, Joe (Shay'le), Kaileigh (Cody), Gavin (Brandi) and four great grandchildren, Lachlan, Sawyer, Piper and Lennon. Mom fought a valiant fight against lung cancer and was thrilled to have been able to attend her granddaughter's wedding in June. Thank you Dr. Stone! Mom often said the greatest love on earth is the love of a parent for her child and she believed this extended to grandchildren - she loved us all unconditionally. We love you too mom and we'll miss you. In accordance with Mom's wishes there will be no formal service. However, friends can join the family at a graveside service on Friday, November 25th at 2:00, followed by a celebration of her life at 3:00 at the Souris Legion. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation or the Town of Souris Beautification Fund.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 23, 2011