EDITH WILLIAMENE (WILLIE) MCKENZIE (COOPER)

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MCKENZIE: Edith Williamene (Willie) McKenzie (nee Cooper) age 81 of Souris, Manitoba, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, March 7, 2022. Willie will be lovingly remembered by her children, Dan (Tammy) McKenzie, Kim Beilby, Josie (Ken) Pashulka and Monty (Tanis) McKenzie; her grandchildren, Brittany (Kyle) Lyons, Justin (Kirsten) McKenzie, Colton (Mikaela) McKenzie, Evan Beilby, Tyson, Riley and Taylor Pashulka, and Wyatt McKenzie; her great-grandchildren, Rowan, Everly and Isabel Lyons, Jaxson, Bentley and Madilyn McKenzie. She also leaves to mourn her sister Catherine Eisthen. Willie was predeceased by her Grandma Burrill, parents Edith and William Cooper, husband Donald McKenzie and sisters Irene McFarland and Annabelle Allnut. Willie was born on February 9, 1941 in Melita, Manitoba to Edith and William Cooper. She was raised by her Grandma Burrill in Tilston, MB. She married Donald McKenzie on October 3, 1959. After a short time in Alida and Oak Lake, they purchased Uncle John McKenzie's farm in the Berbank district along the Souris River. She worked hard along side her husband on their family's mixed farm. She loved horses and enjoyed riding. She was an active community volunteer and contributed to the Berbank, Nesbitt and Souris UCWs, 4H, Nesbitt Community Club, Souris Fellowship Club, and numerous community functions. She played ball and curled with family and friends. When her husband was killed in 1989, her and her son Monty continued running the family farm. She retired (as much as any farmer ever does) in 2007 to Souris. She enjoyed the Fellowship Club activities, travel, musical performances, scrapbooking, and going out to lunch. But her biggest joy was keeping up with and participating in her children's and grandchildren's lives. She adored and was adored by all her grandchildren across the prairie provinces. She was known as a feisty Scotswoman with a cheery smile and a quick laugh. She lived a life full of love and service to others. A service was held at St Paul's United Church in Souris, Manitoba on Monday, March 14, 2022. Officiant was Rev. Harvey Hurren with eulogy given by daughters Kim and Josie and a reading by granddaughter Brittany. Her grandsons, Justin, Evan, Colton, Tyson, Riley, and Taylor were her pall bearers with youngest grandson Wyatt being an Honorary Pallbearer. There was a time of fellowship with lunch provided by Souris UCW followed by a private interment at Minnewawa Cemetery. The family would like to extend sincere thanks from the bottom of our hearts to the team that provided palliative care for Mom so that she could remain at home as she wished. Thank you to Reverend Harvey Hurren, Kowalchuk's Funeral Home and the Souris St Paul's UCW for their support and assistance for Mom's funeral. The friendship and caring shown by all Mom's friends from the community, Souris Fellowship Club, UCW and the neighbors at Heritage Place was heart warming and so appreciated. If you so choose donations in memory of Willie may be made to Souris Fellowship Club, St. Paul's United Church Souris or CancerCare Manitoba.

"I like to walk with grandma.
Her steps are short like mine.
She never says now hurry up.
She always takes her time."

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As published in Brandon Sun on Mar 19, 2022