Vivian SHARPE

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SHARPE: Vivian Catherine, born August 31, 1921 in Newdale, MB, passed away peacefully November 30, 2013 in Brandon Regional Health Centre, at the age of 92. Vivian was the first of eight children born to Fred and Alice Coutts. She took her schooling in Newdale. When she entered the work force it was as a switchboard operator. Over the years she worked boards in Newdale, Basswood, Minnedosa and finally Brandon at the Mental Health Centre. Mom met the love of her life - Don Sharpe, while working in Minnedosa and on October 19, 1943 they married and took up residence on a farm in the Hazelwood district (east of Minnedosa). In 1948 they moved to their farm at Rapid City where they raised their family of four. They had a mixed farm and for a period of time continued to raise mink. Mom was a woman of many talents and not afraid of work. She learned to supplement income from the weekly cream cheque by canning fruit, vegetables and chickens in the fall and always venison when Dad brought home the fruits of deer hunting season. In the late 1950s the family moved to town (Rapid City) where Mom worked at the local convenience store. Upon moving back to the farm, they went into the dairy business. Mom delivered milk to customers in town and for a while she was also a school van driver. Vivian was passionate about the Rebekah Lodge. She joined Magdalena (Newdale) in 1943, transferred in 1952 with her mother to Deborah (Rapid City) then to Naomi (Brandon) in 2009. She had held every office except financial secretary and treasurer, most recently she was musician for Naomi for 15 years. Dad used to say she would somehow make it to lodge “even if she had to crawl”. Just recently she was presented with her seventy year jewel. Mom was made an honorary member of the Valleyview Junior Lodge as she was the musician for their drill team. She was very proud of “her boys” who won every competition they entered both nationally and internationally. Vivian was an original member of Rapid City UCW, one of the founding members of the Rapid City Figure Skating Club, an Agricultural Society member and recently belonged to the Park Avenue Seniors at Oddfellows Corner. Her hobbies included: knitting, crocheting, sewing, doing crossword puzzles, reading and casino trips. She was a regular bingo player and looked forward to nightly Canasta games with her friends. During her years on the farm, Mom began exhibiting baking and handwork at local fairs. She won many prizes, as a bonus, family members were always delighted to eat leftovers and perceived failures. She never lost her love for baking. Up to and including last year she made goodie boxes for each of our families. Her priority was family, her hugs genuine and her love unconditional. She left her imprint on all our lives. Vivian was predeceased by her parents, her loving husband Don, son Elwin, brother Ronald Coutts (at birth) and sisters Vera Coutts (two years), Elsie Phelps, and Marjorie (Wray) Andrew. Left to cherish her memory are children: Sharon (Gerry) Kemp, Robert (Lois) Sharpe and Norma (Bill) Routledge. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Brian (Shelley) Kemp, Tamara and Keira; Donna (Chris) Drysdale, Mitch and Dallas; Mike (Bailee) Sharpe; Lesley (Trent) Hedley, Kristen, Megan, Carter, and Brooklyn; Bob Routledge; Shawn (Elysia) Routledge, William; Chris McDonald; Kevin (Emily) McDonald, Roland and Aveline. Sisters: Olive Hansen, Dorothy Thompson and Beatrice Andrews, brothers-in-law: Fred Oberg and Mervyn (Jean) Sharpe, several cousins and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Vivian’s life was held in the Rapid City United Church December 10, 2013, with Reverend Barb Jardine and Elgin Hall officiating. Burial was in the Rapid City Cemetery. Memories Chapel was in charge of arrangements - thank you Greg. The family appreciates all those who were so attentive to Mom’s needs over the last two and a half years. Your excellent care helped maintain a level of quality that allowed her to remain living independently. Thank you to all who paid visits, called, sent cards, food, flowers or made donations to the Kidney Foundation.

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 21, 2013