Obituary of Edna M. Taylor

TAYLOR: Edna M. (Holden) died quite peacefully at the Souris Health Centre on December 01, 2015 at the age of 91. Edna is survived by her children Beth (Ray) Harris of Oak Lake, Keith (Erna) of Steinbach, and Bruce (Susan) of Halifax, six grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. Edna is also survived by her sisters Lloys, Ollie, and Lorna. She is predeceased by her husband Everett and by her parents Albert and Stenna Holden, sisters Ruth (Bernie) and Margaret (Griffiths), and her brothers Barnett, Tom, and Keith. Edna was born on January 21, 1924 and raised in the Dand, MB area; she attended school/high school in Dand and then attended Success Business College in Winnipeg; following graduation, she was employed by the Retail Credit Co. in Winnipeg. On June 29, 1946, Edna married Everett (Ev) Taylor of Rossburn in the Dand United Church; they spent their first few years of married life in Winnipeg and Pine Falls before moving to Rossburn to begin a family farm. In the spring of 1955, Edna and family moved to Onanole where Ev took over the position of Onanole Postmaster. Soon, Ev began working in Riding Mountain National Park. It was Edna, then, who took on the responsibility of running the post office on a day-to-day basis! In addition to her PO responsibilities, Edna was kept busy raising her young family as well as being involved in community work and activities. In 1967, post office advancement opportunities took Edna and Ev to Grandview and shortly thereafter to Steinbach where Ev continued as a senior manager with the PO until his retirement in 1975. Not content to 'just sit around', Edna spent several enjoyable years working at Reimer's Pharmacy and doing some file work at Loewen's Funeral Home while residing in Steinbach. In 1975, Edna and Ev retired to Onanole where they spent the next five years before moving to Brandon. During their retirement, they spent 22 winters in Mesa, AZ where they enjoyed the milder winter weather along with their many friends and community activities in the retirement park — Edna also learned to swim and to ride a 2-wheel bike while in Mesa!! During summer months, they spent most of their time trailering, camping and visiting with their many friends throughout western Canada. After Ev passed away suddenly in March 2001, Edna remained in Brandon for several years. She often could be found having a coffee at a nearby Smitty's with some close friends; she was always delighted to happen upon some old friends and acquaintances from the Onanole area as she strolled through the south-end Shoppers Mall in Brandon. She was involved in the Ladies Auxiliary while in Brandon and contributed many knitted and crocheted items to the IODE for distribution to needy recipients. In 2009, Edna moved into a senior's residence (Oakwood Place) in Oak Lake. Daughter Beth was close at-hand and was always available to lend a helping hand and to take Edna shopping or to appointments. Edna quickly became close friends with many of her neighbours and they often shared many giggles, jigsaw puzzle victories, church candies, and good comradery with each other. Edna continued her involvement with the Ladies Auxiliary as well as her knitting and crocheting projects; she received numerous letters of recognition/appreciation from the IODE for the hundreds of items (mittens, slippers, blankets, sweaters, etc.) that she lovingly made and donated to the IODE for distribution to the needy. Edna was much loved by her children, family and friends and will be missed by us all. Funeral services were held at the Oak Lake United Church on December 04, 2015, with the Rev. Don Sellsted officiating. Lunch followed at the Oak Lake Legion. Interment took place in the Veterans' section at the Brandon Cemetery next to Ev's final resting place. Donations in memory of Edna may be made to a charity of choice or to the Oak Lake & Area Handi-Van, Box 316, Oak Lake, MB, R0M 1P0.