Obituary of Violet Sinclair

SINCLAIR: Violet Sinclair, beloved mother of Louise (Dennis) Hume, passed away at her residence at Dinsdale Personal Care Home, Brandon on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at the age of 97 years. Violet Elsie North was born on October 6, 1912 to George and Margaret North on a farm near Franklin, MB. She attended school in Franklin. Her early working days were spent in the employ of various neighbours in the Neepawa/Franklin area. Violet met and married Joseph Sinclair on January 27, 1938. Together they raised two children. Louise was born in Brandon on September 19, 1941 and at a very young age moved with her family to a farm near Francis, SK. Russell was born in Regina on April 8, 1945. While still an infant, the family moved back to Manitoba, renting farm buildings near Ingelow. Two more moves in quick succession had Violet constantly packing and unpacking. First a farm near Brookdale and lastly a farm nine miles north of Douglas. Violet worked hard as a partner in farm life, planting a large garden and raising chickens to supplement the income. Milking up to fourteen cows twice daily meant selling cream to buy groceries. The Cream Truck came at least once a week to pick up the full cans. In 1962, the farm was sold and Joe and Violet moved into a home on Fourth Street in Brandon. Violet became the babysitter when Louise went back to work. For a period of time, the two of them cleaned at Binkley Motors and Violet ran the Coffee Shop. She later worked at the International Nursing Home. She was a regular attendee at Trinity United Church being honoured with a Life Membership pin from the U.C.W. She held the post of Envelope Secretary until the position was done away with, babysat for the members of Unit 3 of the U.C.W., and helped to fold Trinitopics once a month. When the Brandon Presbytery Resource Centre opened, she volunteered in the office once a week. She was also a volunteer for the Interfaith Counselling Centre. In 1978, Violet was diagnosed with colon cancer and in March had surgery which saw her cancer free for the remainder of her life. In 1982, Joe and Violet sold their home and became the second couple to move into Hobbs Manor, where she lived until she was no longer able to care for herself and took up residence in Dinsdale Personal Care Home. Like her Mom, Violet had a strong faith which saw her through the rough times. She could often be heard singing the old hymns. She now will be singing in heaven. Violet leaves to mourn: her children, Louise Hume (Dennis), Grandchildren: Karen Erickson (Brian), Kathy Hume (Larry Nicol), Jo-Ann Hume (Tim Holt); Robert and Evan Sinclair. Great-grandchildren: Cory Hume (Kathy Dyck), Cassie Mears (Will), Raeann Keam (Gary), Meaghan and Dwayne Erickson, Amber and Tamara Carriere, and Great Great-granddaughter Lily Hume. Also surviving sister, Ada Fiskel and sister-in-law, Winnie North, and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Joseph (1990), son, Russell (1999), sisters Hazel Taylor, Mary Thoren, Harriet Martin, Ida Graham, Anne Turner, brothers Tom, Fred and Alfred North and several brothers and sisters-in-law. A Celebration of Violet's Life was held at Trinity United Church on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Wayne Sanderson officiating. Interment followed at the Brandon Cemetery. Urn Bearers for Violet were Raeann Keam and Kathy Hume. Urn Bearers for Russell were Robert and Evan Sinclair. Donations in Violet's honour may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415-1st Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 2W8.