Obituary for Eileen Thorborg Wilbur
EILEEN THORBJORG WILBUR (ARNASON)
Born: January 18, 1924
Date of Passing: January 6, 2022
As Mom's three daughters are writing, we picture Mom reuniting with Dad to do what they do best...to love, to laugh and to dance! After 69 years of marriage, Dad passed and he has been patiently waiting for our Mom.
But, we are getting ahead of ourselves so let's start at the beginning. The formative years of Mom's life were spent in Gimli, Manitoba with her Mom (Runa) and her Dad (Magnus) and her five siblings. It is here Mom learned the importance of family love. In 1946, after moving to Winnipeg, Mom met Dad and within six months, they were married. Six years of wedded bliss followed and then we arrived; Bara-Dawn (Derald), Sherri (Dale) and Cathy (Ron). Dad was in the Armed Forces and it wasn't long after Cathy arrived, we were on the move. Whether we were living in Trenton, Ontario or Chatham, New Brunswick, Mom made our house a home. During this time Mom also honed her baking skills (more about this later), curling, and enjoyed the comradeship of Air Force life. Upon returning to Winnipeg Mom began her career at the Canadian Wheat Board where she worked until her retirement 25 years later. Now, Mom enjoyed working but we did think the saying "Born to Shop" (especially at Eaton's!) was created just for her. After retirement, Mom and Dad became snowbirds for 17 years enjoying the warmer weather in Harlingen, Texas. After six months they would return to their beloved Afi's cottage at Loni Beach to enjoy the summer months and family celebrations.
We were inspired by Mom's eight grandchildren, Shawna, Rhonda, Kevin, Kelli, Tara, Christyn, Heather and Meghan. This tribe of humans has us remembering their Amma's yummy and delicious donuts, spice cake, Vinarterta, blueberry pie and jam tarts. They affectionately refer to "Amma-ism"; the most infamous being "What a Gink!". Mom also loved Scrabble and she really did enjoy the Win. Mom would happily skip down Loni Beach with each of her grandchildren singing the theme song to one of her favourite movies, The Wizard of Oz. They will deeply miss their Amma's zest for life, her humour and her unconditional love.
Mom is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great- granddaughters. Our newest addition, a great-granddaughter was born yesterday instilling in all of us the Circle of Life.
A special thanks to the amazing staff at Betel Home; your compassion and kindness is so appreciated. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a charity of your choice.
To our wonderful family that began when two people fell in love:
I believe in the sun even when it is not shining; I believe in love even when I am alone; I believe in God even when He is silent.
Born: January 18, 1924
Date of Passing: January 6, 2022
As Mom's three daughters are writing, we picture Mom reuniting with Dad to do what they do best...to love, to laugh and to dance! After 69 years of marriage, Dad passed and he has been patiently waiting for our Mom.
But, we are getting ahead of ourselves so let's start at the beginning. The formative years of Mom's life were spent in Gimli, Manitoba with her Mom (Runa) and her Dad (Magnus) and her five siblings. It is here Mom learned the importance of family love. In 1946, after moving to Winnipeg, Mom met Dad and within six months, they were married. Six years of wedded bliss followed and then we arrived; Bara-Dawn (Derald), Sherri (Dale) and Cathy (Ron). Dad was in the Armed Forces and it wasn't long after Cathy arrived, we were on the move. Whether we were living in Trenton, Ontario or Chatham, New Brunswick, Mom made our house a home. During this time Mom also honed her baking skills (more about this later), curling, and enjoyed the comradeship of Air Force life. Upon returning to Winnipeg Mom began her career at the Canadian Wheat Board where she worked until her retirement 25 years later. Now, Mom enjoyed working but we did think the saying "Born to Shop" (especially at Eaton's!) was created just for her. After retirement, Mom and Dad became snowbirds for 17 years enjoying the warmer weather in Harlingen, Texas. After six months they would return to their beloved Afi's cottage at Loni Beach to enjoy the summer months and family celebrations.
We were inspired by Mom's eight grandchildren, Shawna, Rhonda, Kevin, Kelli, Tara, Christyn, Heather and Meghan. This tribe of humans has us remembering their Amma's yummy and delicious donuts, spice cake, Vinarterta, blueberry pie and jam tarts. They affectionately refer to "Amma-ism"; the most infamous being "What a Gink!". Mom also loved Scrabble and she really did enjoy the Win. Mom would happily skip down Loni Beach with each of her grandchildren singing the theme song to one of her favourite movies, The Wizard of Oz. They will deeply miss their Amma's zest for life, her humour and her unconditional love.
Mom is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great- granddaughters. Our newest addition, a great-granddaughter was born yesterday instilling in all of us the Circle of Life.
A special thanks to the amazing staff at Betel Home; your compassion and kindness is so appreciated. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a charity of your choice.
To our wonderful family that began when two people fell in love:
I believe in the sun even when it is not shining; I believe in love even when I am alone; I believe in God even when He is silent.