Edna was born Edna June Margaret Durrant on June 2 1928 in Broadview Saskatchewan and passed away the early evening of January 24 2016. She was the 11th of 12 children born to Dorothy and Frank Durrant. The family moved to Keewatin Ontario when she was about 7 years old. She always talked fondly of growing up in Keewatin, a small community in N.W. Ontario – she loved skating in the winter and living close to the lake. Both her parents passed away in 1944-45 when she was around 15 yrs old while many of her brothers were away at war. She was predeceased by her parents Frank & Dorothy and by siblings Kay, Clara, Pat, Eileen, Beatrice, Maurice, Cecil, Gordon, Philip, Stan and daughter in law Carla. She is survived by her husband Glen, sister Grace and 9 children, Garry (Beulah), Margaret (Rocky), Susan (Robert), Donna (Ron), Rick (Norma), Debra (Wade), Wendy (James), Juwll (Nicol) & Kevin, 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who would often describe her as their “favourite Auntie Edna”
She married in 1949 and as a military wife she lived in many parts of Canada – Halifax, Ottawa, Moncton, Winnipeg, Whitehorse, Comox, Prince Albert and back to Winnipeg. Our father retired and they made the decision to move back to the Comox Valley where it has been home for almost 45 years.
Mom was an amazing homemaker. She spring and fall cleaned – one room a day and what a treat it was when she would make new curtains and bedspreads. Floors washed every Friday, baking desserts every day. She would sit on the kitchen counter and drill us with the times table (she said that’s when she learned them too), she sewed, braided rag rugs for the kitchen floor, made blackberry jelly, sewed many special school dance dresses, coffee’d with the neighbours. Always physically fit and young at heart, no one could believe she had 9 kids. She cared that her children were respectful, hard-working and always expected that we would do our best at whatever we did.
She enjoyed curling for many winters but found her love of golf when the children had moved out and she finally could make time for herself. She was a member at Mulligans for many years.
After our parents divorced she met Ron Bain and spent many happy years together until he passed away in 1990.
In 1998 she met Glen Meeres and they have enjoyed what would have been 18 years of marriage on Feb 5th together.
To celebrate her 80th birthday we held a golf family/friends tourney in Winnipeg. The competitively nervous look she had on her face was something to see as we all stood applauding her as she drove the ball onto the 18th green.
Mom always loved a party and a good joke. She was a member of the Royal Purple and enjoyed the Elks hall dances. She loved to dance especially to Engelbert, Tom Jones, and The Eagles and could dance anyone under the table. She enjoyed dressing up but loved a comfy pair of jeans and wore them well. She loved walking and watching her Young and the Restless and had a genuine hate for “that arrogant Victor”. She loved watching golf, the Bluejays, the Canucks and any curling on TV.
Her travels took her to Holland, Mexico, Panama City, Reno and around Canada to visit family.
She worked part time as a Homemaker, at Stedmans, at C.F.B. Comox and at HMCS Quadra. She made close friends with her clients and co-workers. Life was challenging at times but she did the best job she could.
She showed her appreciation by baking her famous ginger snap cookies and taking them along to various appointments. She loved sending cards & they always had “XXXXOOOO’s” under her signature.
Mom had great health up until this past year when she received the devastating news she had lung cancer. Glen was by her side through this difficult time and she was so thankful for him being there for her.
Our family would like to thank her homecare nurses, home care along with Dr. Winters and her house calls. Thank you to all those who made her last days easier.
A fun day of golf and celebration is planned for later this spring.
Godspeed Mom – until we meet again. You’ll live on in our hearts and our memories – we love you!