Grace Verwey

Grace E. Verwey

(nee Carruthers)

Mom slipped away in the late afternoon of May 15, 2017.

She was born and raised on the family farm near Grandview, MB, the youngest of 10 children.  She always joked that the last time her entire family of siblings and parents were together was September 3, 1939; the day war was declared.

Mom worked hard throughout her life.  She worked at several different places, both before and after she married, most notably she was part of the war effort (Women Ordnance Worker or WOW) and helped make shells at the Ammunitions Factory in Ajax, ON and gassed up airplanes at CFB Southport during the war.

Mom married our dad (John G. Verwey) in 1948 and raised 7 kids on a farm in rural Portage.

Mom grew up listening to her dad playing the fiddle each night.  She developed a great love for music, especially old time fiddling and Scottish bagpipes.  Although she had no formal training, she taught herself to play “by ear” and could master most any instrument she picked.  Many of us remember family parties with Mom at the piano or on guitar. She had a kind soul and a great sense of humor.  Mom was a lifetime member of the ANAF Ladies Auxiliary.

Predeceased by her parents, Steven and Grace Carruthers, 8 siblings -  brothers Ross, Stuart, William and Les, sisters Mabel Walker, Elsie Forster, Jean Moran and Hazel Anderson, daughter-in-law Penny Verwey, son-in-law Warren Murray, great-granddaughter Charleigh, and just 6 months ago, son Paul; she leaves to remember her, one sister Edith Lynch, her sons, Dave (Cindy Bremner) and Tim (Doris); daughters, Wendy (Denis Snaith), Bonni (Courtney Smith), Deb (Pete Dick) and Penny (Kevin Donald), many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 11:00am at Trinity United Church, 15 Tupper St. S., Portage la Prairie, MB , with Rev. Beth Kerr officiating. A private family interment will be held.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to a charity of your choice, or alternatively, buy a friend a cup of tea and a sweet…one of Mom’s favorites.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Lions Prairie Manor for caring for Mom over the last 7 years. Many of them had a soft spot for Mom. Finally the “come and get me” call has been answered.

We love you Mom. We will think of you everyday.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.

204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com