MERLE ELIZABETH BLACKMAN (ANDREW)

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MERLE ELIZABETH BLACKMAN (nee ANDREW) October 1, 1931 - March 27, 2013 Merle passed away peacefully at Oakview Place in Winnipeg at the age of 81 years. Her absence will be deeply felt by her loving husband of more than 58 years, Reginald; daughters Nadine Wagner (Gary) and Deborah Froese (Henry); son Andrew (Monica); grandchildren Randi, Charlsty (Marty), Kyle, Daniel and Cole; Janelle and Tyler; and great-grandson Hudson. She also leaves to mourn her "adopted" daughter Ronda Pfeiffer (Phil) and a close circle of friends and relatives. Merle was born in Morden, MB, to Melvin and Bessie Andrew. She grew up on the farm with two older brothers and a younger sister with Down Syndrome. She emerged from that family dynamic and with a strong sense of independence, a fierce loyalty to society's challenged, and a love for teasing and debate. She respected and valued the opinions of others, but always held them accountable for their actions. Merle's life was also touched by sorrow. Her beloved brothers Morris and Al each died of polio in their 20s; Al as the parent of two young daughters. Merle's passion for sewing led her to study Home Economics at the University of Manitoba. She taught school until her children were born and then became a stay-at-home mom who always waited to greet them when they returned from school or an evening out even when evenings out extended beyond curfew, at which point the greetings assumed a slightly different tone. Merle lived love more than she spoke it, but her care and concern were obvious to all who knew her. In 2011, Merle and Reg returned to Manitoba after almost 20 years of retirement in Westbank, BC. The last two years of Merle's life presented many challenges for both of them as Merle struggled to face Alzheimer's with grace and, in the last several months, fought the ravages of an untreatable cancer. The family is exceedingly grateful to the staff of Oakview Place who treated their beloved wife, mother and grandmother with tenderness, compassion and attentiveness over the last few weeks of her life. Cremation has taken place and a service celebrating Merle's life and legacy will be held at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg, 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 18. Donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba or the Manitoba Down Syndrome Society.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 13, 2013