Obituary of Ethel Margaret Meadows

MEADOWS: Ethel Margaret passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at Rideau Park Personal Care Home at the age of 96 years. Ethel was born in the Old Minnedosa Hospital on July 15, 1923. She was the youngest member of a family of eight to James and Margaret Erven. She was raised on a farm near Clanwilliam, one that overlooked the beautiful Minnedosa Valley. Ethel took her elementary education at Crocus Hill School and high school at Grey School in Clanwilliam and Minnedosa Collegiate to get her grade 12. When she was the only one attending school, she had the perk to drive or ride horseback to school. She had a real love for horses and took a great deal of pride in keeping her horse in top condition. Ethel taught on a permit for a year at a little one room school in Scandinavia (Norland) and she received her teaching certificate after attending Normal School in Winnipeg. She applied for a teaching position at Marney School in the Strathclair district. After teaching two years at Marney she came to the Glanton district to teach. This is where she met and married Ward David Meadows on October 29, 1949. A year later, they welcomed their first child, Barry and he was followed by Allan and Brenda. Ethel's days were full as she looked after home and kids; there was nothing she wouldn't do for her kids. During these years, Ethel was part of the Glanton North Group, a women's community group she enjoyed. She curled occasionally at Forrest, but it wasn't her first love because she didn't like the cold! She took her kids to Forrest Church, where she supported the Sunday School and was part of the UCW. She wanted her kids to learn to swim, so she rented a cabin at Minnedosa beach for two weeks every summer and the kids took swimming lessons. Ward eventually bought a cabin there and the family spent more time at the beach. Ward and Ethel enjoyed travelling. They went to England in 1975, and Ethel's comment was she never warmed up the entire trip! They went to Hawaii with their lake friends in 1976 and in the years that followed, spent time in Florida, the Bahamas, Victoria, BC and Arizona. They became yearly snowbirds and Ethel took up golfing. In 1995, Ward had a stroke and was unable to return home. Ethel moved into Brandon that same year. After Ward's death in 1998, Ethel continued to live her quiet life. She was a practical soul and enjoyed reading. She was a person who liked to stand along-side, preferably out of the spotlight. She was an excellent listener and she was a kind soul. She enjoyed seeing her family, but she didn't mind her own company either. Eventually, she moved into Riverheights Terrace, went to Victoria Landing and finished her life living at Rideau Park Personal Care Home. Ethel will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by sons Barry (Janice), Allan (Janice), and daughter Brenda Andrew (Garth). Ethel took great pride in her eight grandchildren: Pamela Campbell (Jason), Shauna Cornwall (Tom), Dean (Erin), Tricia Robson (Steve), Jennifer (Dustin), Stephanie (Kevin), Michael Andrew (Leslie) and Ryan Andrew (Rickie). She was also proud Great Grandmother to Kayla, Taylor, Carson, Natalie, Olivia, Ava, Hannah, Ethan, Aiden, Andee and Asher. She will also be remembered by several nieces and nephews and her sisters-in-law Jean Meadows, Evelyn Cleaver and May Parkin and brother-in law James Lobban. Funeral service was held at Brockie Donovan Chapel on Thursday, November 28, 2019 with Rev. Barb Jardine officiating, followed by interment at Humesville Cemetery. Pallbearers were Ethel's grandchildren Pamela, Shauna, Dean, Tricia, Jennifer, Stephanie, Michael and Ryan. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation "Rideau Park Personal Care Home", 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon MB R7A 2B3. A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she will be sadly missed but always remembered!