JOSEPHINE MARSDEN SHEANE

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JOSEPHINE MARSDEN SHEANE 1921 - 2014 On Thursday, August 21, 2014 Josephine Marsden Sheane passed away peacefully at Riverview Personal Care Home in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the age of 93 years. Josephine is survived by her four children and their spouses as well as seven grandchildren: Juanita (Greg Giesbrecht), sons Christopher and Sean and his wife Jennifer Shaw, Blair (Sonia), Gary (Inga, son Ian) and Graham (Judy, daughters Jenny, Alison, Emily and Norma); as well as by nieces and nephews in Canada, England and Tasmania. She was predeceased by husband Jim (1983); her only brother Cyril Harrison and his wife Marjorie in England; and her parents, Lily and William Harrison of England. Mom, born in England, was active in Brownies and Girl Guides from the age of eight years. She was awarded the Medal of Merit by the Canadian Association of Girl Guides and was made an Honourary Girl Guide of Canada. Following her retirement from several Guiding positions she joined the Trefoil Guild and continued to serve the Girl Guide Association. Mom travelled extensively after Dad passed away often meeting up with friends from her long association in the guiding movement. She had friends in England, Scotland, Australia, and of course all over Canada. One of her favourite spots was her cottage at Clearwater Lake, Manitoba that she enjoyed for over forty years. Mom had her first airplane ride with aviation pioneer Tom Lamb when she arrived in Canada from England in 1946 as a war bride and flew to meet Dad at his posting with the federal government in Norway House, Manitoba. Three of her children were born in Norway House and Mom often said those Norway House days were among her happiest. She followed Jim as his job took him to Selkirk, Manitoba; Christian Island, Ontario; Ilford, Manitoba; Mirimichi, New Brunswick; The Pas, Manitoba; Thompson Manitoba and finally to their retirement home in Winnipeg. Mom enjoyed an interesting and adventurous life starting Brownie Packs or Girl Guide Companies wherever they were needed in the small communities in which they lived. She formed the First Christian Island Brownie Pack and the First Christian Island Girl Guide Company in the mid 1950's. All the girls involved but one were First Nations. When Dad was Superintendent of the Nelson River Agency in the 1960's based out of Ilford, MB on "The Bay Line," Mom established a Lone Guide Company for girls who lived in several of the small communities along what was then called The Hudson Bay Railroad running from The Pas to Churchill. The girls earned their badges and meetings were conducted via written correspondence through the Post Office. Mom even participated as a leader in a Cub Scout group when one was needed in Mirimichi, NB when her youngest son was in Cubs. She and Dad were active volunteers in the communities in which they lived serving with the Children's Aid Society in New Brunswick, Rotary International and The School Board in The Pas, MB. Mom often volunteered with the Anglican Church in various roles, as well as with The Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival in The Pas, MB, to name a few. She enjoyed sewing and quilting, knitting, reading, and travel. Mom loved her grandchildren and besides attending their sports or school events, took them travelling with her when she could. There are not enough words to describe our Mom's strength of character, generosity and spirit. She will be missed. A Celebration of Mom's Life is planned for Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Mary Anglican Church, 3830 Roblin Boulevard at Haney Street in Winnipeg. A Special Thank you to the wonderful staff of CD Two at Riverview Personal Care Home for their kindness, support and attention during Mom's stay. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Mom's memory to Riverview Health Care Foundation. Please go online to check the options for making a donation. Wojcik's Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 1020 Main Street, 204-586-8668, in care of arrangements. wojciksfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 23, 2014