MONA KATHLEEN SARGEANT

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MONA KATHLEEN SARGEANT Mona Sargeant, 90, passed away peacefully, with family at her side, on Thursday, March 5, 2015, at the Betel Personal Care Home in Gimli. Mona was born in St. Boniface, on September 11, 1924 to James McKay and Mary-Louise Gagnon. She grew up in a loving family with six siblings. She was educated in Catholic schools in St. Boniface, graduating from St. Joseph's Academy in the spring of 1942. That fall, on an outing with friends, she met a dashing Australian airman, Allan Sargeant. He was in Canada training as a Navigator under the Commonwealth Aircrew Training Program. She had found the love of her life. Two months later, they were married. Within days, he had to leave to finish his training and then was off to England to join Bomber Command and fight in the war. Mona stayed in St. Boniface, living with her family. In October, her first child, Sharon Dolores, was born. 1944 was a hard year for Mona. In January, her baby daughter died from whooping cough, at three months. In June, her husband was reported missing when his plane was shot down over Europe. With the end of the war, and after 11 months in a prisoner-of-war camp, Allan returned to Canada. Shortly after, he and Mona moved to his homeland, Australia. It was there that their son, Terence, was born. In 1947, they returned to Canada to live in "old" Pinawa and Clearwater where Allan taught school. Two daughters came along in those years, Gail and Linda. In 1952, the family moved to Gimli, where Allan took a job teaching at the R.C.A.F Station. Gimli was to become their life-long home. Three more daughters joined the family, Eileen, Christine and Lori Anne. Mona settled in to being a homemaker and mother. Her children will attest that she was very good at this. She was active in the community - with the Officers' Wives Club, the Catholic Women's League and as a Brownie leader. With the closure of the airbase, she became active with the CWL at St. Michael's Parish in Gimli, and remained active until just a few years ago. Mona shared the family's love of travel. When the children were young, they camped from coast to coast in Canada and into neighbouring states. In 1968, with Allan on a sabbatical, Mona, Allan and the four youngest children spent a year in Australia. This gave her a lifetime of great memories. In retirement and with the children grown, she and Allan expanded their travel horizons. For a number of years, they maintained a schedule of going to Australia every two years to visit family and friends. In the in-between years, they travelled to Europe - Great Britain, Ireland and France -to visit family and friends, or to attend various wartime reunions. At home, they visited from the Yukon to Nova Scotia to Boston and Cincinnati. Mona was terribly saddened when her husband of 55 years died in 1998. But her faith and family helped her get through this sadness. For many years, their home had been a magnet - the center of all holiday celebrations, as well as a welcoming place for children and grandchildren to spend time with siblings and cousins, while enjoying Gimli's beaches. This continued right until the end, with all of her children, their spouses and many of her grandchildren visiting her at Betel on the weekend before her passing. Mona was predeceased by her husband Allan; daughters Sharon and Lori Anne; daughter-in-law Margery; brothers James, Edward and Paul, and sister Patricia. She will be greatly missed by her children Terry (Margaret), Gail (Christian), Linda (Gary), Eileen (Dan), Christine (Jim) and Lori's husband Phil. She will also be missed by her grandchildren Darren, Rebeka, Aaron, Thor, Bjorn, Erika, Matthew, Sarah, Zoe, Calum, Jennifer, Melissa, Bridget, Breanne, Keegan, Andrew and Ian, and great-grandchildren Doryan, Jonah, Mikah and Oceane. Mona is also survived by her sisters Margaret and Maureen. and her cousin Terry, as well as many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank all the caregivers who helped our mother over the past few years, at both the Rotary Towers and Betel. We extend a very special appreciation to the staff at Betel who gave our mother outstanding care in her final days, and who helped us through this time. Prayers will be said on Friday evening, March 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel, 50 1st Ave., Gimli, MB. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Highway 9, Gimli, MB on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, 1160-675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9. Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com
Publish Date: Mar 10, 2015

MONA KATHLEEN SARGEANT On Thursday, March 5, 2015 at the Gimli Betel Home, Mona Sargeant, aged 90 years passed away. Full obituary to follow. Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli in care of arrangements.
Publish Date: Mar 7, 2015

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 10, 2015