MAY FRITH (ARMSTRONG)

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MAY FRITH (nee ARMSTRONG) It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our deeply loved Mother and Grandmother, May Frith, widow of the late Jim Frith, on July 27, 2013 at the Dauphin General Hospital. Her memory will be cherished by her daughter Gaye, son Doug and his wife Christine and the grandchildren she adored, Dana and Michael Frith. She will also be missed by her sister-in-law, Florence Armstrong, and her honorary younger sister, Carroll McGill, her nieces and nephews and many special friends. Mum was born on July 30, 1924 at Rossburn Manitoba, the fifth child of Mabel and Walter Armstrong. Even though times were tough during the Depression, she grew up in a family rich in love and laughter. It was during her childhood that Mum developed her lifelong passion for learning, politics and current affairs. She loved to debate, strongly defending her views but always respectful of others. She was committed to not just the rights of citizenship but, more importantly, its responsibilities. Throughout her life she freely "gave back" to the community. She was predeceased by her parents and her siblings: infant sister Elizabeth, Oswald, Winnie, Wreaford, George and Harold. After completing Grade 12, Mum trained as a registered nurse at St. Boniface General Hospital. She thoroughly enjoyed reuniting with her classmates every five years. While working at Deer Lodge Hospital, she caught the eye of a handsome and charming young veteran - our dad, Jim. They were married on December 17, 1948. Over the next 40 years until his death in 1989, she and Dad shared both triumphs and struggles. They were each other's best friend. Dad always said that Mum could make any space a home in 24 hours: a loving and nurturing environment for us and a place where family and friends were always welcomed and well fed. Mum was an exceptional hostess. We fondly remember the big family dinners and the impromptu gatherings for friends. Our parents especially enjoyed their times with "The Massey Crew." Mum and Dad loved to travel, making new friends everywhere they went. Over the years they visited Mexico, Rio de Janeiro, England, Greece and continental Europe. After Dad retired in 1981, they spent several months each winter in Portugal. Mum was a born organizer. When she took up golf and bridge in her 50s, she quickly became President of the Dauphin Ladies Golf Association and its representative to the Manitoba Ladies Golf Association. She was the driving force in the three bridge clubs to which she belonged. She was a passionate Liberal and was a delegate to the 1984 Leadership Convention. Mum was a vibrant, intelligent and generous woman with a quick wit and delightfully quirky sense of humour. She was proud of the fact that she never looked or felt "old." She enthusiastically recruited younger people to the golf and bridge clubs to take over from the older members. Consequently, she had friends of all ages. We would like to thank Dr. S. Clark for the compassion and care she gave both Mum and us. We also appreciated the support of the Emergency, Medical and Palliative Care Units at Dauphin General Hospital. A private service will be held at the family graveside at the Fairview Cemetery in Roland. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made in her memory to the Dauphin General Hospital Foundation, 625 - 3rd St. S.W., Dauphin, MB R7N 1R7 or to the Dauphin and District Community Foundation, 100 Main St. S., Dauphin, MB R7N 1K3. Doyle's Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 03, 2013