CAROL ANN McNIVEN

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CAROL ANN McNIVEN (nee ROOT) April 16, 1936 - December 27, 2016 On Tuesday, December 27, 2016, at the age of 80 years, following a six week hospitalization, Carol, beloved mother and grandmother, took her place among the Angels in Heaven. She leaves to mourn her beloved daughter Lori, who spent most of her hospitalization at her bedside; her cherished grandson Christopher; and her very special feline companion Kismet. She will also be sadly missed by her sister Betty Lauridsen; nephews, Bruce and Bryan; and niece Dale (Rob) Smith, all of B.C. Carol is predeceased by her parents Wilhelmina and Harry Root; husband Jack (2000); and youngest daughter Lynda (2012). She is also predeceased by her sister Edith Strank. Carol was born and raised in Emerson, Manitoba, the daughter of a Customs officer. She moved to Winnipeg in 1954 to live with her sister, Betty. She worked at various jobs over the next few years until one very cold fateful day in January 1958, when this extremely shy young woman allowed herself to get into a stranger's car as she waited at a bus stop. Two years later, she married this stranger (Jack) and they shared a wonderful life together for the next 40 years, along with their two daughters and grandson, until Jack's sudden death in July 2000. In 1966, Carol began working at the Children's Hospital/Health Sciences Centre, initially in the Admitting Department for 17 years, and later in the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, where she stayed until her retirement in 1998. Over the course of her 32 years at the HSC, she made an enormous number of friends, many of whom she still kept in touch with until her death. Following her retirement, she began the next phase of her life by starting her own petsitting company, Furry Paws Petsitting. This soon became a family business and over the next 17 years, she took care of more than 1,500 cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, and fish, and this business really helped to sustain her in the weeks and months following her husband's sudden death in 2000 and then the death of her youngest daughter in 2012. Also during this time, she found another passion, writing, and published two full-length books and two short stories, as well as writing a whole series of children's stories. After finally giving up her petsitting business due to increasing health issues, she spent her remaining years happily enjoying the companionship of the many dogs and cats in her apartment building, where she became known as "the cookie lady", as she sat in the lobby with her walker and her endless supply of treats and waited for her next "customer". Carol will be remembered by all who knew her as a warm, caring individual who would do anything for anyone. She will be sadly missed by anyone who had the privilege to know her, but most especially by her daughter, Lori, grandson, Christopher, and cherished companion, Kismet. Mom, you will never ever be forgotten. I love you always and forever and you will be missed until the day we meet again. God Bless you....All our love, Lori, Christopher, and Kismet. Sleep well, Mom....you have more than earned your wings! A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 256 Smith Street. In lieu of flowers, if desired, a donation may be made to your favorite animal charity. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 204-925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 07, 2017