Obituary of Elsie Lillian Durnin

DURNIN: In loving memory of Elsie Lillian Durnin – Born August 31, 1922, peacefully deceased August 26, 2011. At a private graveside service, Elsie Lillian Durnin (née Hammersley) was laid to rest surrounded by all her loving family on Tuesday, August 30, 2011. Her surviving children and grandchildren came together from many parts of Canada to say their final goodbyes and celebrate the life of the matriarch of this family. Predeceased by her father John, mother Lillian, husband Ted, eldest son Gary and siblings, Murray, Irene and Barbara and great grandchild Travis, she was surrounded by three generations of family. Elsie is survived by her brother Raymond (Brandon) and by children and grandchildren spread across this nation of ours; eldest daughter Beverley and spouse Bill of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta: grandchildren Nancy (Northern BC), Richard (Gatineau) and Jessie (Vernon), great-grandchildren William, Thomas, David, Anderson and Chloe; second oldest son Dale and spouse Beth of Altona, Manitoba: grandchildren Loretta (Altona), Jimmy (Altons), Tina (Altona) and Louis (Winnipeg); great-grandchildren Geoffrey, Ashleigh, Issac, Hailey, Danielle, Curtis, Claudia and Cassidy; daughter Colleen and spouse Grant of Calgary, Alberta; granddaughters Nicole (London) and Brenna (London); son Jim and spouse Grace of Waskesui, Saskatchewan; grandchildren Kalea and Aaron and youngest son Rick and his spouse Grant (Winnipeg). Elsie was born at the home farm outside of Birnie, Manitoba to parents John and Lillian Hammersley, originally from London, England. She left the family farm at an early age working as a housekeeper and nanny in the Birnie area. Moving to Brandon in the early 1940's, she met her future husband Ted Durnin and they were married in 1943. They built a house along the Grand Valley Road on a small quarter section farm raising their six children there until 1970. It was a small mixed farm and they were known for their grain fed chickens and turkeys. These home grown birds graced many a local table on Thanksgiving and Christmas They would be considered high priced organic birds in today's market place. Elsie was a talented gardener and could grow anything. Elsie and Ted moved the family into Brandon in 1970, and at that time she started to 5-pin bowl, play cards weekly and also became a Bingo regular. She attended First Presbyterian Church on 12th Street and really enjoyed being able to attend church on a regular basis, now that she was free from farm work and living in the city. She also got her driver's license, rather late in life, but it gave her the independence she loved. All her children admired her, for her willingness to face challenges and tackle adversity head on. Many women from her generation never drove a car, bought a house or managed their finances. Elsie was also a good listener and open to people from all walks of life. She always helped and cared for those less fortunate. Elsie was the matriarch, she was the teacher and the glue that kept this large family together. If her children had an interest, they were encouraged to pursue it whether it be musical, athletic or academic. Elsie was very athletic as a young girl and she definitely passed some of those genetics on down the line. She was proud of all her children and grandchildren and loved to spend time with them. She is remembered for her love and talent with board games and puzzles of all shapes, sizes and complexity. It was her favorite way to spend time with those she loved. Elsie moved to Winnipeg in 1999, and now she returns to Brandon, her final resting place beside Ted and Gary. From her family, we will forever remember her for her curiosity of life, her smile and the twinkle in her eye when she teased us. Mom and Grandma, it's time to rest and for us to celebrate your wonderful life. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415-1st Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 2W8 or the Canadian Diabetes Association, 727B-10th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 4G7.