Obituary of Mary "Pat" Parker

PARKER: Mary (Pat) née Burrill, died peacefully at Dinsdale Personal Care Home March 5, 2014, at the age of 103. Pat was born on the family farm near Elgin on August 28, 1910. She married her lifelong partner, Harold Parker, on September 15, 1941. They were happily married for 66 years and she marveled at how they never had an argument. Pat worked at Eaton's in Winnipeg and Brandon. Pat and Harold, along with Harold's brother, Earl and his wife, Melba, bought the General Store and Post Office in Beresford, Manitoba. They operated it for 20 years. Many people got to enjoy Pat's delicious baking. Pat enjoyed working at jewelry and craft stores after they moved to Brandon in the early 60's. She decorated many beautiful wedding cakes and was an excellent seamstress. Pat enjoyed making crafts and she and Harold traveled Manitoba to many craft sales. Later in her life, she enjoyed golfing with Harold and road trips throughout Canada, the States and Mexico. Pat and Harold enjoyed playing cards with their friends and spent many Sunday's playing cards with their great-great-nephews, Bill and Brian McRae, who were like grandsons to them. Pat will be sadly missed by brother-in-law Bill Hale, nieces Harriett Lewarne, Kathleen Levesque, Sue Johnston and Dianne Stawychny, nephews Wayne and Del Pringle, Norman and Paul Levesque, Alan Hale, Bill and Bob Sheldon, great-nephew Larry and Teresa McRae and their son Brian and many great nieces and nephews. Pat was pre-deceased by her parents Emily and Norm Burrill, brothers Alfred and Bruce, sisters Beulah, Etta, Gladys, Mildred, Rose and Velma, nieces Margaret McRae and Melva Ballance, brother-in-law Earl, sisters-in-law Melba Parker and Pearl Sheldon and great-great-nephew Bill McRae. A service was held at Brockie Donovan Funeral Home with great-niece Kim Lewarne officiating. Burial took place at Rosewood Memorial Gardens on Friday March 7, 2014. If friends desire, donations in memory of Pat may be made to a charity of one's choice. Pat's family would like to thank the wonderful and caring staff at Dinsdale Personal Care Home. Thank you to Sonny and Lisa at Brockie Donovan Funeral Home for looking after the arrangements. Kim Lewarne, thank you for the beautiful heartfelt tribute to Aunt Pat. She would have been very proud of you.