Obituary of Elsie Gladys Cameron

CAMERON: Elsie Gladys (Gladie), long-time resident of Brandon, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at the Assiniboine Centre. Gladys was born in Winnipeg on July 6, 1922; the eldest daughter of Christian and Nellie (née Harrison) Pedersen. Gladys was 98 years and 5 months old at her passing. She grew up in the smaller communities of southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, but because of family circumstances and constant moving, her education was severely disrupted. Mom knew the value of a dollar; she was extremely frugal and truly appreciated everything that she had. Mom was a full-time homemaker and excellent role model. She tended huge gardens of vegetables, making jams and jellies and canning and pickling all her own produce. Mom loved flowers of all descriptions, one time she had upwards of 360 gladiolus bulbs alone. We all have strong memories of her in the garden at Jim’s, picking weeds on her rows of flowers, up to her elbows in dirt, but loving it. She was an excellent cook and baker, making all of her own bread and cinnamon buns. She was notorious for her sweet tooth, she especially loved anything that was homemade from Jim and her grandson, Jonathan. Mom loved listening to music, she especially enjoyed old time country music, Scottish, Irish, fiddle and gospel music were her particular favourites.  All her life she was surrounded by animals; cats and dogs, but especially horses. Mom rode right up until she was 71 years old and a knee injury prevented her from continuing. After a long day on horseback, it was easy to be sore and have pain. While you could see the discomfort in her face, she never complained. She always made sure that Kris and Stephen were looked after first. Mom showed Morgan horses in competitions at the Keystone Centre in the harness classes. Mom went on horseback riding trips across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta with Jim, her two grandsons and fellow rider friends. Mom hurt her knee horseback riding because she was coming back to help Stephen, yet not once did she say anything to Stephen about it in a negative way. That night she sat around the campfire with a busted knee, it was an incredible display of what made her a remarkable woman. The toughness to shoulder on with a busted knee cap in the woods, the kindness and selflessness to be worried about Stephen and not her own safety. While Mom was recuperating from her knee injury, their riding group decided to go on a trip to Alberta; although she was unable to ride, she hobbled around on the crutches to the different excursions the group had planned. We have photos of her climbing up the mountains to the ice caves in Kananaskis Provincial Park in Alberta on her crutches, the Japanese tourist applauding her bravery and courage.  Although Mom was small in size and stature, she more than made up for it in her sheer determination, strong will and perseverance. She was soft spoken, gentle and kind to a fault. Mom never held a grudge or had harsh words to say about anyone. She brought all her children up by firmly instilling in us to always live by the “Golden Rule”. Mom was fiercely independent and had been quite active right up until she had her stroke 13 years ago. Since that time, her health had gradually deteriorated. Mom was a long-time member of #247 Wheat City Legion Ladies Auxiliary, serving for many years in leadership roles in this capacity. Mom was also a member of the Seniors for Seniors and the Icelandic Club. She was also an ardent 5-pin bowler for many years. Mom was able in her later years to go on trips to Cuba, Barbados and Mexico. Mom loved travelling, always looking forward to yearly trips to Vancouver to see family members, sometimes, fortunately, by rail. Her kindness and selflessness left an indelible mark on her grandchildren. They were in awe of her toughness and perseverance in the face of adversity. She will forever be in our hearts and thoughts; an example to all of us not to judge people and just be kind and that family is everything. Hold them close and never let them forget you love them. She always seemed to weave the past and the present together. When asked about growing up and raising her own children, her answers were always insightful as she grew older. She was extremely proud of each of her grandchildren and what they were able to accomplish with their own lives. It was always worth the long trip from Alberta, just seeing her happy and spending time with her great-grandchildren; which we hope in return the kids will have lasting memories going forward. She loved them to their very core and saw only the good in them. She knew better than anyone that life could be tough and unfair, yet she was never anything but good to them. Gladys is survived by her four children: Linda Cooper (Virden); Eileen Cooper; Jim Cooper (Kemnay) and Barbara (David) Lovegrove, St. Albert, AB; one step-daughter Pat Hunt (Victor Hakanson), Lake Country, B.C. Three grandsons: Jonathan (Richelle) Lovegrove, Kristopher (Natasha) Lovegrove, Fort Saskatchewan, AB and Stephen (Katy) Lovegrove, Edmonton, AB. Six step-grandchildren: August Geeraert, Chilliwack, B.C.; Karter Geeraert, Panama; Lenora Geeraert, Golden, B.C.; Theron Geeraert, Revelstoke, B.C.; Sean (Melanie) Hunt and Eric Hunt of Kelowna, B.C. Eight great-grandchildren: Daniel (Raisa), Winnipeg; Brendyn; Logan; Spencer,  Edmonton, AB; Isabelle, Isla, and Elizabeth, Fort Saskatchewan, AB and Emily Hunt of Brandon, MB. Mom is predeceased by both husbands: Joseph (Joe) Cooper (1982) and Douglas Cameron (1992). Her father Christian (1966) and mother Nellie (1972); brother John (1957); infant sister Ellen (1928); step-daughter Shannon Geeraert (2019). The family wishes to sincerely thank Dr. Kaiser, Dr. Sopel and all of the caring and compassionate nurses and support staff on the Palliative Care Unit. A private family interment service will be held on Friday, December 11, 2020 at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. A Celebration of Life service will be planned when it is feasible to do so. The family requests that any donations made in Mom’s memory be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 1379 Kenaston Blvd., Winnipeg, MB, R3P 2T5.

 

To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me

When I am gone, release me and let me go.

You must not tie yourself to me with tears.

Be thankful for our beautiful years.

I gave you my love,

You can only guess how much

you gave to me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have shown,

but it’s time I travel on alone.

So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must.

Then let your grief be comforted by my trust.

It’s only for a time that we must part,

So bless the memories within your heart.

I won’t be far away, for love goes on.

So if you need me…call and I will come.

Though you can’t see or touch me…I’ll be near.

And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear,

All my love around you, soft and clear.

Then when you must come this way alone…

I’ll greet you with a smile and say

WELCOME HOME

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