
4 minute read
65th reunion
Elaine Rex and Pat Challis
On June 6, 2016, graduates from the 1950 - 51 Provincial Manitoba Normal School class gathered at the Viscount Gort Hotel, Winnipeg, MB, for a 65th reunion luncheon.
Can you imagine 43 enthusiastic, vibrant, octogenarians, educational troopers decades after our first meeting 65 years ago?
Soon the room was abuzz with old classmates greeting each other, searching out names on the Memory Poster and scanning pictures from those early days. As well, there were notes and snapshots sent by people who could not attend for health reasons, or because they lived too far away. Positive vibes manifested in so many ways including the fact that people were not ready to leave at 2:30 p.m. We feel blessed to be part of what has become a sustained community through so many years.
The Winnipeg Free Press was in attendance, interviewing many Normalites.
The event got started with the lighting of the Memorial Candle by Olive Tarbath Johnson and the reading of the names of the most recently deceased members by Delphie Norberg.
Pete Peters prayed an all encompassing blessing before lunch.
Following a delicious buffet, we were royally entertained by an energetic, eighty-nine year old violinist, Lumina Chartrand, who spent many of her working years teaching children how to play the violin and dance the jig.
Next, we had a memory-provoking presentation given by Doris Saundry Kristjanson and Sylvia Lee Haverstick. They asked their classmates a series of questions about our year, which initiated much conversation and merriment.
Dr. Carl Braun, a renowned scholar and researcher reminisced, about our year and told intimate details about our teachers when he had contact with in later years, particularly, he spoke glowingly of Miss Doris Baker.
Elaine Wall Rex proclaimed our 65th reunion a resounding success and closed our event with a fond farewell, not goodbye! She reminded us that, although we are in our autumn years, we still have much to contribute, each in our own way. n

In Memoriam
MARCH, 2016
Michael L. Balitsky, Brandon Sylvia M. Beaucage-Pena, Winnipeg Jean Arthur Beaumont, Buffalo Point Fred R. Betker, Winnipeg Bibiane P. Gobeil, Winnipeg John Hildebrand, Altona Heinz Kampen, East St. Paul Gordon R. Le Seelleur, Winnipeg Julia M. McConkey, Stonewall Catherine J. McDonald, Swan River Dorothy P. Naish, Longbow Lake, ON Freda Petterson, Beasejour William Regehr, Winnipeg Robert I. Scarth, Winnipeg
APRIL, 2016
Eva Bonkowski, Arborg Arlene-Joy E. Crabbe, Winnipeg Henry I. Friesen, Winnipeg Annie A. Green, Winnipeg Thomas N. Howard, Winnipeg Raymond M.H. Labossiere, Somserset Sher Mohammed Lakhani, Ottawa, ON James H. McAuley, Brandon Helen C. Menzie, Winnipeg Brian A. Parker, Carman Juliette G. Sabot, Matlock Alfred C. Selver, Winnipeg Evelyn Smith, Winnipeg
MAY, 2016
Josephine B. Barker, Winnipeg Peter G. Bostock, Winnipeg Edna Mae Cookson, Brandon D. Cordell Grant, Brandon Helene M. Hebert, St. Malo Mina Johnson, Winnipeg Marvin G. Krawec, Portage la Prairie Elizabeth M. Lavender, Winnipeg John A. McDonald, Winnipeg Frederick C. McKay, Sanford Lylah C. Myers, Winnipeg Murray A. Patterson, Brandon Calvin S. Pattle, Winnipeg Eddie Sawatzky, Steinbach Steve Stasiuk, Dauphin Wilhelmus R. Steur, Winnipeg Donald C. Tole, Lockport Marilyn M. Wozney, Teulon
JUNE, 2016
Don George Cameron, Kelowna, BC Elizabeth A. Jensen, Brandon John C. Klassen, Winnipeg V. Lawrence Lesyk, Winnipeg Bertha D. McDonald, Winnipeg Danelle Joy Reid, Winnipeg Susan H. Schindle, Winnipeg Jean Shaw, Swan River Katherine Unruh, Winnipeg
JULY, 2016
Ada M. Allen, Neepawa Kathleen M.O. Barton, Winnipeg James Bruce Burgess, Crystal City Sheila Calof, Winnipeg Marvyn G. Coleman , Winnipeg Berniece E. Fines, Nanaimo, BC Nicholas Gensiorek, East St. Paul Hugh Douglas Gordon, Winnipeg Lucette M. Jobin, Winnipeg Edith D. Kidds, Neepawa Ernest J. Kuch, Winnipeg Diane Pajak, Winnipeg Nell Ramsay, Headingley Wilfred B. Reid, Winnipeg Hilma C.M. Solar, Winnipeg Cornelius Thiessen, Calgary, AB

LIFe MeMBeRS
MAY, 2016
Rita M. Fisher, Qualicum Beach, BC Helena Kines, Roblin Eila M. Lamb, Winnipeg
JUNe, 2016
John William Buffie, Selkirk William P. Chrustie, Winnipeg Margaret Jarvis, Oliver, BC Maurice Kohut, Winnipeg Shirley I. Mercer, Winnipeg Maria M. Michalchuk, Rossburn Ivan T. Rainey, Virden
JULY, 2016
Alvin N. Cooper, Winnipeg M. Louise Downing, Virden Lucille Gosselin, Ste. Anne Verda E. Jackson, Russell Frank Sawatzky, Steinbach William E. Stefaniuk, Gibbons, AB
Lessons Learned . . . (continued from page 19) liked to keep up-to-date about current trends in education and society. Both avidly enjoyed following the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Winnipeg Jets, which allowed them to engage in conversations with people of all ages.
That the RWTA played an important part of their retirement years is an understatement. Serving on the Executive was seen as a vital extension of a lifetime of loving children and teaching. Camaraderie with colleagues of all generations at the quarterly luncheons kept their passion for teaching alive. Cards, flowers, messages and visits from RWTA members were truly a lifeline once mobility became an issue.
How they each managed to keep those poinsettias looking so good for so long is a mystery to me.
The full story of Jean and Ada with photos can been seen by searching the web under Community News Commons and once there clicking on Life Lessons From Two Master Teachers or by clicking on Heather Emberley.
To experience some of the camaraderie Jean and Ada enjoyed, retired women teachers can call Brenda at 204-284-1437 to reserve your place at the Fall 65th celebratory lunch on September 29 at 11:30 a.m. Masonic Hall, Corydon at Osborne, served lunch $20.00; free parking. n