Verna Emberley (nee Wiley)

1928 ~ 2013

Wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother & teacher

Verna passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 23, 2013 at the Pinawa Hospital surrounded by her family and friends. She was married for 64 years and is sadly missed by her husband Gordon. A loving mother to David (Heather), Douglas (Jeanette), Susan (Childs), Carol (Dux) and Evelyn (Nick) Vogel and grandma to 12 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She is survived by sister Helen (Chester) Williams and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, infant brother Ronald, brother Stewart and sister Yvonne.

Mom was born in Winnipeg to Bill and Lily (Sayer) Wiley into a close loving family. In 1946 Mom completed her grade 12 at KelvinHigh School and went on to Normal (Teachers) School, graduating in 1947. Mom taught in North Winnipeg at several schools before marrying Gord on April 16, 1949. She then accompanied him to live at Stead, Manitoba. There she lived a “Pioneer” lifestyle. They welcomed their first son David in 1951 and Douglas in 1953. Mom then followed Gord to Ilford, RusselRiver and Pukatawagan, as the wife of a bush pilot. She loved the north and all it had to offer. In 1955 Gord was stationed at Lac du Bonnet and in 1955 transferred to The Pas. There Mom taught grade one and raised her family, which now included especially adopted Susan (1962) and Carol (1964). That year the family transferred to Winnipeg and welcomed the birth of Evelyn in 1965.They resided in Charleswood for 20 years where Mom taught Kindergarten in the Assiniboine South School Division, retiring in 1985. She had special memories of her students and made life-long friends of the staff at Chapman School. Mom was close to her older sister’s family and many fun times were spent with them.

Mom and Dad retired in 1985 and together built their home at Lac du Bonnet. They loved their life on the Winnipeg River until her sudden passing. Mom and Dad enjoyed fishing and enjoyed many quiet times together on their veranda listening to their favorite music, and watching the birds.

Family, church and community were important to Mom. She and Dad were active members of the UnitedChurch, sitting on many committees in the Pas, Charleswood and Whitemouth, as well as the

Mom loved reading and monthly visited the Charleswood library with her daughters. She always had two or three books on the go from the Lac du Bonnet library where her grandchildren often accompanied her. She liked to reading to them.

Her passion was music, which was passed on to her children and grandchildren. Her faith was strong and mom was involved in church and church choirs all her life, singing with her father in Crescent Fort Rouge and her daughter in Charleswood United churches and in the Lutheran Church in Lac du Bonnet. She also sang for many years in the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir and was often called upon to sing at special events. At home she frequently sang along with the opera on CBC radio.

Mom’s hands were never idle, knitting socks, mitts, sweaters and Afghans for family and community members. She made her own and her daughter’s wedding dresses. She baked many loaves of bread and cookies for family and others. As a Spiritual Care volunteer, Mom was compassionate and spent many hours visiting the sick and shut-ins and helping at senior’s groups, always ready for a game of cards or scrabble and loved her weekly crossword puzzle

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, August 27 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lac du Bonnet Lutheran Church of the Cross. Reception to follow at the Lac du Bonnet Royal Canadian Legion Hall. Cremation has taken place. Flowers gratefully declined.  If so desired, donations may be made to the Lac du Bonnet Library or Mrs. Lucci’s Resource Centre in Lac du Bonnet or a charity of your choice.

ALWAYS MISSED, NEVER FORGOTTEN.

“She’s now a part both of the choir, and song;”

by John Donne

 

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com

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