Obituary of Coralie Serle

SERLE: Mrs. Coralie A.C. (née McClay). With bittersweet sadness, the family of Coralie Serle wishes to announce that Coralie has joined her soul mate, and went home to God on Thursday the 26th of July 2012 with her family by her side. Mom was born in Middlesex, England, on the 21st of August 1934 to Carmen and Glynnly McClay. She was raised there until her father's untimely death in WWII. When Carmen was remarried to John Card, she and Coralie made the move across the pond, to Neepawa, Manitoba. Upon her completion of Grade 11 in Neepawa, Mom moved to Winnipeg where she worked for the Provincial Government. While on a family trip to Delta Beach with Mom's friend, Phyllis Serle, a relationship blossomed with David, Phyllis' brother, and their love grew. On the 13th of July 1957, she married the love of her life and soul mate, Dave. She embraced the role of "army wife" and accepted the several moves to England, Wales, Ontario and Alberta. Within these moves she and Dad welcomed three daughters, Teresa (David) Mullin of Brandon, MB, Kathryn Serle (Brad Hadden) of Edmonton, AB, and Ivale (Jeff) Crooks, also of Brandon. Mom took care of her girls with much love and pride. Whether it was with the tasty treats in our lunches, delicious home cooked meals, or the countless skating dresses, or bridal ensembles and cakes. While Dad was on military exercises, she learned that if something broke, you fixed it, only steering away from the car. The summer of 1975 found Mom and Dad moving to Brandon where they settled and continued to raise their girls. Here, she worked the front desk at Kmart, and did alterations for customers. She also spent countless hours at the skating rink, as well as organizing the Baptism Preparation classes for St. Augustine's church. Mom and Dad's Catholic faith was very important to both of them and through the church they met and cherished many dear friends. At the age of 50, Mom was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. The disease rapidly affected her, and she endured countless surgeries to try to combat the pain that was taking away the independence to which she had grown accustom. Unable to do much of what she used to, Mom took on a new hobby, technology. She intricately set up several VCR's to tape her much-loved Soap Operas. In later years, she worked on her laptop, learned to text, and played on her ipad. Never was she afraid to learn something new, especially if it meant she could keep up with her girls, and her grandchildren of whom she adored and was so very proud. She will be missed dearly by Celeste Mullin (Mark Stewart), Daniel Serle (Gabrielle Mahe), Angela (Chance) Jackson, Tamara Mullin (Quinn Materna), Shay-Leigh (Roger) Perreault, Kaitlyn and Erik Crooks, as well as five great-grandchildren. Mom's memory will also be cherished by her brother Douglas (June) Card, her sister Roberta Card-Murdock (Michael), and sister-in-law Phyllis (Douglas) Flint, cousin Lynn Tate of England, numerous nieces and nephews and dear friend, Elenor Hood of Winnipeg. We are so very thankful for the care and love she received, while at Victoria Landing, Dinsdale PCH, as well as the numerous stays at the Brandon Regional Health Centre (floors 200 & 400) as well as 200 and the Palliative Care unit in the Assiniboine Centre. We would also like to thank Father Kevin Smith, Father Dominic Yuen, Deacon John and Carol McKenzie for their spiritual care, not only in her last days with us, but in the last few years as she lived without Dad. Your words and visits meant so much to her. A Celebration of Mom's life was held on Wednesday the 1st of August at St. Augustine's Church in Brandon, with Father Kevin officiating and Father Dominic and Deacon John co-officiating. Pallbearers were her grandsons Daniel Serle and Erik Crooks, as well as Mark Stewart, Wayne Mennie, David Newton, and Chet Hetherington. The eulogy was given by her daughter, Ivale Crooks. Mom and Dad were interred "Together Forever", the following day at the beautiful Neepawa Cemetery. Mom touched many lives, far more than we imagined, as has been shown with the numerous cards, flowers, and food we received in her passing. There are not enough words to express our heartfelt Thank you for the love and support that has been given to all of us. The Brandon Humane Society is a charity that Mom often supported. If you wish to make a donation in her memory, please do so, or to a charity of your choice.