Obituary of Edith 'Fern' Gill

GILL: It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Edith "Fern" Gill on April 26, 2016. Born in Bunclody, Manitoba on March 25, 1928, she received her education in Carroll, Manitoba. She went on to attend Brandon Business College in Brandon. Upon completion of her studies, she worked at the Head Office of Wawanesa Mutual Life Insurance Co. in Wawanesa, Manitoba. She moved to Brandon and worked for the P. A. Kennedy Music Store, on Rosser Avenue, where she met her future husband, William "Ken" Gill. They were married October 20, 1948 and together they raised two children, a daughter, Tanis and son, Greg. She was happily married to her late husband for sixty-two years. After her husband's early retirement, she worked at People's Jewelry Store in the Brandon Shopper's Mall, where she formed many lasting, life-long friendships with her co-workers and customers. She also sold and distributed Avon products and received recognition for her dedication, service, and sales leadership in the form of the President's Club Albee Award in the early 1980's. She loved baking and we fondly remember the aroma of fresh baked bread, buns, cookies, cakes and pies coming from her kitchen. She bowled five-pin in the Ladies' Centennial Bowling League and received numerous trophies. She never missed a televised game of her favourite professional baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays, if she could help it. Her love of the game came from her years of playing softball, growing up on the family homestead in Carroll, Manitoba. She also enjoyed watching her favourite NHL hockey team, the Winnipeg Jets when their hockey games were on T.V. She faithfully followed the local WHL hockey team, Brandon Wheat Kings on the radio. She was also an avid watcher and fan of the game of curling. She was predeceased by her parents Laura and Wesley "Wes" Jones, husband Ken, and brother-in-laws, Keith Blight and Melvin "Mel" Moore. She is survived by her daughter, Tanis Stapleton and son, Greg (Carolyn) Gill. Also surviving are grandson Brent (Tobie) Stapleton, great-granddaughters Jade and McCartney and great-grandson Jett of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; grandson Scott (Jodie) Stapleton and great-grandsons Brendan and Callum; granddaughter, Cindy (Greg) Turner and great-grandsons Grayson and Logan; granddaughter, Leanne Jenkins and great-granddaughters Grace and Madeline. Fern is also survived by her sisters Doreen Blight, Audrey Moore and Carole (Harvey) Jackson and numerous nieces and nephews. A Graveside Service was held at Brandon Cemetery on Monday, May 2, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Craig Miller, Knox United Church, officiating. Fern's beloved grandsons, Brent and Scott Stapleton served as urn bearers. A Time of Celebration of Fern's life followed at the George Brockie Fellowship Centre. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Fern's memory to Manitoba Lung Association, Box 20029, Brandon, MB, R7A 6Y8; Heart & Stroke Foundation, Unit 3-824-18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 5B7 or a Charity of Choice.