ETHEL ALDRICH

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ETHEL ALDRICH After a glorious life of 93 years, sadly, our Mother, Ethel Annie Aldrich passed away, at home, on Thursday, May 30, 2013 surrounded by her loving children. Mom was born on September 15, 1919 in the bedroom of her family home at 52A Beulah Grove, Croydon, Surrey, England. She was the youngest daughter of Alfred and Rosina Ward. She was predeceased by her husband, Harold, of 41 years, her mother and father and her two sisters, Rosina Mary and Winifred Daisy. Mom graduated from school in the fourth form at the age of 14 and entered the work force. Her first job was in a laundry house, working a 48 hour week for 21 cents an hour. During the Second World War she worked at a factory making accounting and tabulating machines. Mom met Harold (Dad) at a skating rink in 1943. They dated until Dad had to ship out to Sicily in September of that year. As a war bride, she left England for Canada in January 1948 to rejoin Dad. Mom worked in the military canteen at Camp Shilo, Manitoba for Maple Leaf Services from 1951 to 1953. She worked for the same firm in Winnipeg for a while. She then got a job with McLeods Ltd., in the accounting department and retired in 1984. Mom and Dad bought their house on Carson Bay in Winnipeg in 1961. She continued in the house after Dad's passing. She sold the house in 2006 and moved to an apartment, and five years later moved to her last residence at Cathedrale Manor. Mom was an inspiration to us and others. She raised five children all the while maintaining full time jobs. Mom had her health problems like anyone else, but they never slowed her down and she never complained about her lot in life. Mom loved her TV shows, especially MASH, her Harlequin romance novels, her "proper" steeped tea, her English Garden, her Thomas Kincaid house collection and her ice cream. She was the first to step up when there was a game to be played. Through to her last days she could still be a major threat in a game of cribbage. Ethel will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her daughter Lori (John), her sons John (Cecilia), Alan (Noreen), Roger (Wendy), Jerry (Kerry), her grandchildren, James, Sara, Jason, Dale, Kristian, Tracy, Robert, Meghan, Kristie, Nicole, 10 great-grandchildren, her nieces and nephews, and many friends and acquaintances. The family would like to thank the wonderful Palliative Care team and the management and staff of Cathedrale Manor for their support that allowed us to keep Mom at home during her last days. Also, we extend our appreciation to Doctors Pat Harris, Michael West and A. Chakraborty who were instrumental in ensuring that Mom lived, healthy, to the age she attained. A celebration of Mom's life will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 04, 2013