MARTHA WHITTINGTON (EGRY)

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MARTHA WHITTINGTON (nee EGRY) October 24, 1923 - September 4, 2018 With great sadness, we announce the passing of Martha Whittington on September 4, 2018 at Heritage Lodge Personal Care Home in Winnipeg. Our mother passed peacefully, surrounded by the love of "my three beautiful girls". Left to cherish her memory are much loved daughters: Linda Vosper, Kathy Hamelin (Ian) and Judith Walsh (Keith); six grandchildren: Dustin Vosper (Nancy), Scott Vosper and Robert Vosper (Gemma), Mark Hamelin (Trish), Erin Meyer (Scott) and Parker Walsh; nine great-grandchildren: Blake, Riel and Mats Meyer, Jack and Michael Hamelin, Celia-Rose and Henrietta Vosper, and Matthew and Luke Vosper; and numerous nieces and nephews throughout Canada and the United States. Mom was predeceased by her beloved husband (R.C.A.F. LtCol) Cam Whittington (2003); father John Egri, mother Emma Bohnert; stepfather Jacob Bohnert; sister Irene and brother-in-law Jim McNeill; brother Bill and sister-in-law Sheila Egery; infant grandson Michael Hamelin, and most recently her dear son-in-law Dale Vosper. Our mother was born in Michalovice Eastern Slovakia (then Czechoslovakia). She immigrated to Canada as a child with her mother, sister and brother in 1929 and settled in Montreal where they were re-united with their father who had preceded them to Canada two years previously. Mom attended school in Montreal and enjoyed her work as a secretary upon graduating from high school. Mom loved the vibrant social and cultural atmosphere of Montreal. Under the tutelage her older sister Irene, Mom learned about music, dancing and fashion; these became ever present characteristics of her life. During the war years, being the beautiful young woman she was, Mom met many young servicemen from across Canada and the Commonwealth. She remembered them all throughout her life, and in particular those who never returned from the war overseas. One of those young servicemen was our father Cam, a young Airman from South River, Ontario whom she met when they were both in our Aunt Irene and Uncle Jimmy's wedding party. So began a love affair which endured 56 years and 17 "postings" as our family moved across Canada following the progress of our father's Air Force career. Our mother embraced life within the Air Force community and particularly enjoyed the social life and pageantry. When our father retired from the Air Force, Mom and Dad opted to remain in Winnipeg as their last posting so that they would be close to their then adult daughters. As a traditional homemaker, devoted wife and mother of three daughters, family was always Mom's first priority. This included supporting us in our various activities, cooking traditional dinners, and dressing us up for weekend excursions or church (in hats and white gloves as was the fashion of the day). We all enjoyed many family trips, camping and travelling across Canada and the U.S.A. In retirement Mom discovered a love for fishing, during the summers in the Whiteshell Provincial Park and as winter Snowbirds off the pier at South Padre Island in Texas. In later years when Mom was no longer able to fish herself, she lived vicariously through our own fish stories, always relishing the details. Since our father passed, our mom continued to live in St. James and for the past four years at Heritage Lodge where she thoroughly enjoyed the food, the flowers and daily visits from family. As a family we thank the devoted healthcare professionals who demonstrated their support, commitment and kindness to our mother and to our family. Cremation has taken place. A private Celebration of Life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. If family and friends so wish, donations may be made to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9; or the Alzheimer Society, 10-120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit www.chapellawn.ca Chapel Lawn Funeral Home 204-885-9715

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 08, 2018