BESSIE JEAN MCLAREN

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BESSIE JEAN MCLAREN August 6, 1917 - June 23, 2017 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a dear mother and grandmother, Bessie Jean McLaren (nee Cross), in her 100th year, on June 23, 2017 at Golden West Lodge in Winnipeg (formerly of North Bay). Predeceased by her husband Harry in 2001, her parents, Rueben and Viola Cross, her five siblings, Jack, Cecil, Glen and Lloyd Cross and Helen Smith, and her grandchildren, Jessica Mahoney, Diana Palmerton and Scott Mahoney. She is survived by her only daughter Jean Wright (John), grandchildren, Wendy Mahoney (Glen) and Debra Jansz, great-grandchildren, Chrystal Jansz-Rieken (Kasey) and Melissa Mahoney (Jearum Kurtz), and great-great-grandchildren, Kaegan, Koehn and Asher Rieken, Madisyn, Jaidyn, Jillyan and Mackenzy Kurtz, and Alyssa Hibbert. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Juanita McLaren and Clela McLaren and cousins, nieces and nephews. She was born at home August 6, 1917 and was raised on the family farm in Eau Claire, Ontario, attending school and church there. She attended "young peoples" at the United Church and loved to dance at the neighbour farmhouses where she met Harry. Mom and Dad were married in Mattawa, Ontario January 25, 1939. Together they farmed in Rutherglen for the first 16 years then moved to North Bay, Schumacher, Picton and returning to North Bay in 1978. They enjoyed many summers at the cottage on Lake Talon and 26 years at their condo in Florida. After making many trips to Winnipeg to visit grandchildren, at the very young age of 94, she decided she would like to move to be close all the time. After a few independent years living at Westhaven Retirement Centre she relocated into Golden West Lodge where she resided until passing. She was well loved by all who knew her and will be forever remembered for her smile. She was a very proud great-great-granddaughter of her heritage as a direct descendent of a United Empire Loyalist and made many trips to the original homestead in Lansdowne, Ontario. All the original farm land granted to the Cross family on Landon Bay as U.E.L. is now owned and managed by Parks Canada. Some of her greatest joys in her later years were the little ones in the family always having to talk with them and show off the latest pictures. She had attended Calvin Presbyterian Church in North Bay before transferring to Westwood Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg. A Service of Remembrance will be held at Westwood Presbyterian Church, 197 Browning Blvd., Winnipeg on July 8, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., with luncheon to follow. Flowers gratefully declined. However, if desired, a donation to Golden West Lodge, 811 School Road, Winnipeg, MB R2Y 0S8 or to the Bruce Oaks Recover Centre, Box 61084, Grant Park, Winnipeg, MB R3M 3K8, may be given in her memory. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. CHAPEL LAWN www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 30, 2017