JONINA GUDRUN BRITTON (JONASSON)

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JONINA GUDRUN BRITTON (nee JONASSON) Peacefully, on Saturday, August 18, 2018, Jonina passed away at Golden West Centennial Lodge at the age of 103 years and 7 months. Jonina was born on January 14, 1915 on the family homestead "Engimyri" in Riverton, MB to Magnusina and Tomas Jonasson, first generation Icelandic pioneers. She was raised in Riverton completing high school before moving to Winnipeg in 1932. Jonina married Norman Britton on May 6, 1944 and settled in St. James where they raised two daughters. Jonina lived in the same house in St. James for almost 70 years until March, 2017. She made many friends when she first came to Winnipeg and through her varied interests. She kept and cherished these friendships throughout her life. Jonina was known for her kindness, hospitality and sense of humour as well as strong willed determination. She often referred to herself as a "tough old Viking". She was well known for her cooking and baking especially for her Vinarterta. Jonina maintained a strong faith throughout her life and was a member of St. James United Church for 60 years and active in the UCW during those years. She was very artistic and made and decorated wedding cakes for her daughters and their friends as well as for many nieces and nephews and friends. She became an excellent and prolific oil painter in her 60s and 70s. Jonina maintained a strong interest in Iceland and Icelandic culture. She could read, write and speak Icelandic fluently. She took great pride when visitors came from Iceland and complimented her on how well she spoke the language. She visited Iceland four times; the last time was in 2005 when she was 90. With Jonina's passing, we lose our direct link with the Icelandic pioneers. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Donna Britton (Barry Rousseau) and Judy Schilling and her beloved granddaughter Lauren Rousseau; many nieces and nephews and their children as well as many friends and family in Winnipeg, Iceland and Australia. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Norman in 1992 and all her siblings, a brother and five sisters and many of her lifelong friends. The family would like to express its heartfelt thanks the staff at Golden West Centennial Lodge for the excellent care and kindnesses shown to Jonina over the last year. Also thank you to all the home care staff who made it possible for her to stay at home as long as possible. Cremation has taken place with a private interment. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 27, 2018 at the Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Icelandic River Heritage Sites Inc., Box 555, Riverton, Manitoba R0C 2R0 www.icelandicriver.com Goda Nott Elskan Min. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Aug 25, 2018

JONINA GUDRUN BRITTON (nee JONASSON) 1915 - 2018 Peacefully, on Saturday, August 18, 2018, Jonina passed away, at Golden West Centennial Lodge, at the age of 103 years. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 27 at the Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame (across from Brookside Cemetery). There will be a longer notice to follow in Saturday's edition. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Aug 21, 2018

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 21, 2018, Aug 25, 2018