EMILY SARAH (ELSA) WILSON

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EMILY SARAH (ELSA) WILSON Emily Sarah (Elsa) Wilson nee Harvey celebrated her life from September 8, 1927 until September 22, 2014. Born in Winnipeg, she was the youngest daughter of Percival and Harriet (nee Blick) Harvey, with older brother Bob, and older sisters Doris and Gwen and younger brother George to make for lively family gatherings at 246 Gordon Avenue. She was known to her school friends as "Tookie", her brothers as "Blossom" and to everyone else as Elsa. She completed Grade 12 at Lord Selkirk School and then got a job in the garment district making uniforms for the military where she made many lifelong friends. Elsa was a beauty inside and out and soon turned the head of Edward, a young air force wireless operator. They were married October 9, 1945 and, during their 61 years together, Elsa faced life's highs and lows with the same faith and optimism that carried her throughout her life. On June 6, 1949, Elsa was blessed with the birth of her daughter, Donna. Elsa loved to design and sew clothes for Donna, and both take and later join her on adventures and travels. Elsa was extremely proud of Donna as a daughter, wife, mother and professional. In Elsa's married life she continued as a seamstress, both in the industry and privately and made many a bride and bridesmaid glow with her seamstress skills. She later worked at Brass' Grocery and then at the Pan Am Pool, from where she retired at age 65. Elsa worked tirelessly for her church and Eastern Star chapter for over 60 years. She baked for the bake sales, sewed for the church Pub Nights, MC'd for the luncheons, visited with friends, and chauffeured those needing a ride. She did all this and more with humor and grace and "No" was not in her vocabulary. Elsa loved to laugh, and "kibbutz", meet new people, hug, dance, shop, garden, travel, talk to birds at the park and coo babies at the mall. She viewed life as a gift and welcomed whomever crossed her path. However she often said her greatest pleasure was caring for her granddaughter Rieva and we know she made an indelible impression. She was devoted to her family, Edward and Donna, then welcomed Allan and his family and her dear Rieva and Andy. In her most recent years, her greatest delight was the birth of her beautiful great-grandson, Kieran. Elsa was famous for saying "Life is like a bowl of cherrieseat the fruit and spit out the pits". And even more famous for "The trick is to zip it up!" Wife, Mom, Mother-in-law, Grandma, Grandmother-in-law, Great-Grandmother, Godmother, Sister, Sister-in-law, Aunty and Friend. No matter her role, she touched all our lives. Mom, you leave a rich legacy and planted the seeds of your gracious self in everyone you touched. We will always remember your loving "pinch" and hug. As Mom would say to each and every one of us, "Thanks for coming out. See you next time". We express our gratitude to the many caregivers who offered Elsa comfort in her final year. Lucinda, Sharon, Evelyn, Rita, Dorita, Rosalinda, Stella, Mel, Numberto, Alexander, Corrine, the Jackies, Kim, Justin, Shawna and many others. A special thank you to Fran, Mom's friend, advocate, and companion. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). In lieu of flowers, enjoy a supper with friends and family and toast our dear Elsa. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 11, 2014