PETRANELLA EARL

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

PETRANELLA EARL (VANDERHORST) On November 9, 2015, surrounded by her children, Petranella Earl passed away peacefully at the age of 93, at Riverview Health Center following a courageous battle with cancer. Petra was born on July 25, 1922, and grew up on her family market garden farm which was adjacent to Essar Avenue in North Kildonan, along the banks of the Red River. Her childhood and teen years were spent attending Lord Kitchener School and working together with her seven siblings on the Vanderhorst farm. Petra enjoyed playing hockey, baseball, and tennis. She also loved being on stage, acting, singing, and dancing. As a young woman she was employed by the T. Eaton Co. where she excelled as a salesperson in their fur boutique. In 1940 she met the love of her life, Doug Earl, at a dance at the Scottish Hall in East Kildonan. They were married in 1945 after his return from service overseas in the Second World War. They enjoyed 37 years of marriage, raising their three children and celebrating life. Summers were spent camping with the family throughout the Whiteshell, swimming, water skiing, and supporting the family business at Falcon Lake. During this period, she and Doug were members of the East Kildonan dance club and Petra also served on the vestry at St. Stephen's Anglican Church and several committees for the betterment of the community, After being widowed in 1983 she met James Sutherland. They spent 30 years together, sharing their life experiences, travelling extensively in their motorhome, wintering in Florida and Texas, spending summers at Falcon Lake, and dancing wherever they were. Petra's last three years were spent living with her daughter and son-in-law, enjoying family life and visits with her great-grandchildren. Petranella is lovingly remembered by her son Warren (Dorothy) and their daughters Angela, Andrea, and Alayna; her son Craig (Sherry) and their children Jordan and Madison; her daughter Valerie (Jim Pointon) and her son Anthony (Dayna) Cantin and their daughters Savanna and Sophia. Also left to mourn are her brothers Jack (Shirley) Vanderhorst and John (Ann) Vanderhorst, her sister Margaret Vrooman and many nieces and nephews; as well as her stepchildren Barb (Alistaire Harvey) and family, James (Mary) Sutherland and family, David (Cynthia) Sutherland and family, and Elizabeth (Scott Webster) and family. She was predeceased by her parents Gertrude and Jacob Vanderhorst, her husband Douglas Earl, second husband James Sutherland, brothers Harry and Charles Vanderhorst and sisters Vera Blum and Elizabeth Comtois; as well as her in-laws Sydney and Mary Earl, Frances (Art) Bates, Thomas Earl, Kathleen Earl and Lloyd (Audrey) Earl. The Earl family wishes to express special thanks to the doctors and staff in palliative care at the Riverview Health Centre for their generous compassionate and supportive care. We also wish to express our gratitude to family and friends for their many kindnesses evidenced in thought and deed. A Celebration of Life for Petranella Earl will be held on Monday, November 16, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Green Acres Funeral Home on Highway No. 1 East inside the perimeter. Your memory is our keepsake, With which we'll never part. God has you in His keeping, We have you in our hearts. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery (204) 222-3241 Condolences may be sent to www.greenacresfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 14, 2015