AILEEN MARGARET HUSS

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AILEEN MARGARET HUSS

(HARBOTTLE)

April 1932 – August 2024

With great sadness we announce the passing of Aileen on August 10, 2024.

Aileen is survived by her husband Keith, son Ken, daughters Kathy and Mary (Tim McManus). She was "Grammy" to grandchildren Kristin, Kyle and Trent Huss, Robbie and Katie Brown. Aileen leaves Wendy Lee, her sister-in-law Doris Ames, nieces and nephews from the Huss family, and many cousins from both the Harbottle and Pash (LePage) families. She was predeceased by her parents Kay (Pash) and Lawrence Harbottle.

Aileen began her life on a farm near Binscarth, MB and at an early age attended Sunday School where she began her journey of faith. The family also lived in Strathclair, Alonsa and Holland, MB before moving to Winnipeg in 1941.

Aileen attended the old Queen Elizabeth School for Grades 4 – 9 and Norwood Collegiate for Grades 10 – 12. Directly after high school, to qualify as a teacher Aileen attended Normal School for two years, graduating in 1951. There she met Keith who she would later marry.

Aileen began her teaching career at Windsor School in St. Vital where she taught for three years. Dean Finlay was principal – a caring and supportive person – whom she often referred to as her role model.

Aileen and Keith were married in 1954 and moved to teach at Whitemouth, MB. For the five years they were there, Aileen was the leader of the Canadian Girls in Training (C.G.I.T.) and truly enjoyed working with those lively teenage girls. She often expressed her good fortune to be teaching at a time that if you had a good teaching record you could experience a variety of working places. Later in her career she also taught at Ramah Hebrew School and Dalhousie School in Winnipeg.

Aileen and Keith bought a house on Rosewarne Avenue in St. Vital in 1961. That was her anchor as she explored other places. They also had a cottage at Beaver Creek and at Loon Straits where many summers were spent with family and friends. Later they had property in the Okanagan and their last summer place was at Carrick, MB – their little garden of Eden.

Aileen attended night school and summer school for several years at the University of Winnipeg and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976. Also during this time she worked for three years as a Confluent Education Consultant for the Department of Education – driving or flying throughout the province to lead workshops for teachers, work in classrooms, or just listen to teachers and principals talk about their problems. She also spent two summers in Halifax leading workshops for school administrators. Continuing her education, in 1978/1979 Aileen attended the University of California Santa Barbara where she earned her Master's Degree. During her career, she was invited to present at International Education Conferences in California, Japan and Norway. She also made three major trips: Japan for three weeks with Gloria and Keven; India for a month with Sultana and her family; and Norway, Scotland and England for three weeks with friend Linda.

After she came home from California, Aileen taught Junior High at Crane River. She loved those teenagers! She then moved to Waterhen where she was Principal for eight years. She continued teaching Art to the Waterhen students and enjoyed working with colleagues who were also her friends. She formally retired in 1989. However, after retirement she was asked to take the position of Principal of the school in Fort Resolution, NWT for three months. Again in 1994 she worked for four months in Matheson Island School, filling in for a teacher on compassionate leave. After these two adventures she really retired!

At age sixteen Aileen joined the Presbyterian Church and was an active member all her life. She was ordained an Elder when she was sixty and was active for twenty years. Throughout her life Aileen made many lifelong friends. She was known for her compassion, dedication and positive attitude.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 1:00 pm, Prairie Presbyterian Church, 590 University Crescent, with Rev. Matthew Brough and Rev. Dr. Katharine Bergbusch leading the celebration.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba; Winnipeg Inner City Mission (415 Logan Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3A 0A4); or a charity of one's choice.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 24, 2024, Aug 24, 2024