Obituary of Alberta Kennedy

Alberta was born at home to Alex and Jennie Kennedy of Eden. She was one of six children born to the Kennedys and enjoyed an idyllic childhood on the farm. Her education was taken at the Eden School where she graduated and went on to Winnipeg Teacher's College. Alberta received her teaching certificate in 1936 and came back to teach at the Eden Consolidated School. She taught for several years in Eden before moving to Brandon in 1953, to teach at various schools in the Brandon School Division. She continued to pursue further education and after many years of summer school and night classes, Alberta graduated from Brandon University with a Bachelor of Education. Alberta retired from teaching in 1978, where she took the time to travel and involve herself in volunteer work. She worked tirelessly for the United Church Women, Brandon Art Gallery, and the Nearly New Shop which raised funds for the Brandon Hospital. Alberta was perhaps best known for being an Aunt. She had dozens of nieces/nephews, great nieces/nephews and great-great nieces/nephews and she was very attentive, loving and special to each of them. They received home-made "care packages" of cookies and cakes, hand-made afghans color-coordinated to their homes, an endless stream of birthday cards, gift certificates, Christmas presents and her lively supportive attendance at their hockey or baseball games, swim meets, concerts or graduations. Aunt Alberta always found a way to use her time and gifts effectively – selflessly and quietly – keeping herself in the background but extending her thoughtfulness to those whose lives she touched. She was a person who never wasted anything – least of all time. Always cooking sweets or cakes for someone, or knitting for a niece or nephew, or volunteering at the many community causes that she supported in her quiet, polite and efficient manner. One thing she seldom did – if ever – was complain about her life. She was an excellent example of how to maximize your contribution and minimize your worries by doing for others. Aunt Alberta was firm in her convictions, but she preferred to demonstrate how to live effectively rather than lecturing or criticizing. She found a purpose in being useful and kind to others. If she was alone at Christmas, she would volunteer to serve Christmas dinner for the Westman Traditional Christmas dinner. Rather than sitting in front of the television, she went to the local nursing home and wrote letters for those who could not do so for themselves. Aunt Alberta's life can be summed up in the following: In the final analysis, there is no other solution to humanity's progress but the day's honest work, the day's honest decision, the day's generous utterances, and the day's good deed. Alberta was predeceased by her parents and five siblings; Douglas, Fred, Milton, Ken Kennedy and Margaret Lowry. She leaves to mourn ten nieces and nephews (Grant, Keith, Ken Kennedy, Ron, Jean Ann, Bert Lowry, Kathleen Guillas, Sherry Bell, Donald and John Kennedy. She will also be lovingly remembered by many grand nieces and nephews, and friends. A private family graveside service took place at the Neepawa Riverside Cemetery with Rev. Mark Satterly from the Neepawa United Church officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Unit 3-824-18th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 5B7.