Laura THOMSON

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THOMSON: Laura Merle (nee Cottam) Thomson passed away peacefully at the Valleyview Care Centre on Wednesday December 25, 2013 at the age of 86 years old. Merle, as she was known to Family and Friends, was born in the Neepawa Hospital on July 29, 1927 and raised on the family farm at Birnie, Manitoba. She was the youngest of twelve children born to William Edward Cottam and Mary Ellen (Campbell) Cottam and also the last surviving child of William and Mary Ellen. Merle received her education at Oak Leaf School and did her part during World War II, as she was the Secretary Treasurer in 1943 for the Canadian Junior Red Cross (Oak Leaf Branch). Due to her mother, Mary Ellen, passing away on July 01, 1934, Merle was mainly raised by her father and brother and sisters. Her father William passed away on December 08, 1958. Merle loved to dance and attended many of the area dances. This is where she met her future husband, Howard Thomson, at a Neepawa dance. Merle Cottam married Howard Thomson on November 24, 1953. In 1955, Merle and Howard moved to Brandon, and in 1962 they moved to 463 Percy Street in the East End of Brandon. Howard would live there until he passed away on May 17, 1984. Merle continued to live there until 2007, when she moved to the Sheridan Apartments. In 2010, due to ill health, she moved to the Valleyview Care Centre, where she lived up until her passing. Merle loved to cook, and especially loved baking at Christmas time. Many butter tarts and oatmeal cookies were consumed over the years at 463 Percy Street. Her main love was always her family though, and she sacrificed her time looking after her four boys and attended as many of their sporting events as she could. She loved to travel and visit family and always made family and friends feel right at home when they would come to visit. When she moved to the Valleyview Care Centre, she finally had time to herself, where she participated in making crafts, playing shuffle board, bingo and also loved going downstairs for the "Happy Hours" and listening to music in the Lounge area. Merle leaves to mourn her loss, her son Doug (Emily) son Murray (Viviane), as well as her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents and all her brothers and sisters, her son Glen in 1981, son Gary in 1982 and her husband Howard in 1984. The Ceremony to Celebrate Merle’s Life was held on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at Memories Chapel. Lydia Glawson, Funeral Celebrant officiated. Pallbearers were Bob Gilroy, Joey Barabash, Wayne Zarn, Mel Gilroy, John Davison and Ralph Sholdice. Interment followed at the Brandon cemetery. Donations in memory of Merle may be made to the Salvation Army, 9 Princess Avenue East, Brandon, MB R7A 1R8. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com.Arrangements with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 204-727-0330.“Merle will be sadly missed by all who knew her, as she was a very kind and special person. Rest peacefully Mom and Grandma, we will miss you greatly!”

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 04, 2014