SADIE ELMA STEFANATION

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SADIE ELMA STEFANATION (LAMBOURNE) Passed away peacefully on a beautiful sunny morning, Wednesday, March 4, 2015 in Teulon, Manitoba at the age of 79. Survived by her sons; Gratton (Teri) and Kelly; grandchildren, Jasmine and Corbett; great-grandchildren, Keeghan and Lukas. Survived also by her brothers and sisters: Dixie Philion, Joan Neczkar, James (Tina) Lambourne, Peggy (Ernie) Skubovius, Marie (Francis) Cook, Kenneth (Lynn) Lambourne, Jack Lambourne; sister-in-law Irene Lambourne; and numerous, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Predeceased by her husband George; brother Silas Lambourne; sister Jean Marr; sister Pearl Gosselin; sister Margaret Lambourne and brothers-in-law, Gerard Gosselin, Romeo Philion, Eugene Marr and Louis Neczkar. Sadie was born on January 24, 1936 on a farm near Alonsa, Manitoba, where she spent her childhood years and later, many of her adult years. Sadie left the farm as a teen, and moved to Winnipeg to strike out on her own. Various odd jobs kept her busy during the next few years including work in sewing factories and as a waitress in Winnipeg's bustling downtown. Many jobs later and after many trips back home, she and George fell in love and eventually married on August 4, 1956. Sadie and George spent a number of years farming near Alonsa, but eventually moved to Winnipeg. Sadie fell in love with welding and got a job as a welder at Motor Coach Industries in 1965 - the first female welder hired there. Not your typical job for a woman at that time, but Sadie was no typical woman. In 1967 she became a mother and stopped her welding career, but did not stop working. For almost 20 years she was a foster-parent and provided child-care for many children. By 1987, she was working again and eventually became manager of a small auto parts remanufacturing plant in Winnipeg. In 1985, Sadie and George decided to live on the farm again and settled on a place near Gunton, Manitoba. After many years of farming life there, they retired and moved into a house in Teulon in 2003. Mom continued to keep busy with gardening, sewing, bingo and looking after her husband. Early morning breakfasts at a local restaurant with family and friends was a regular and cherished event for Sadie. Sadie will be remembered most for her kindness, caring for others, her love of birds and roses, her quirky sense of humour and her love for dancing and long walks. Everyone who knew her will always hold some special connection with her even though she is gone. Small in size but mighty in deeds, Sadie will forever be in our hearts and memories. The littlest bird sings the prettiest songs. As Sadie wished, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at MacKenzie Funeral Chapel in Teulon, Manitoba. The family would like to thank all of the staff at Goodwin Lodge for the kindness and great care they showed to Sadie during her stay there. MacKenzie Funeral Home Teulon 204 467-2525 mackhome@mts.net

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 07, 2015