Obituary for Therese (Terry) Abrahamson
Thérèse (Terry) Abrahamson, nee Restiaux, age 92.
Terry was born on Nov 5, 1929, in St. Boniface, Manitoba. Her parents, Frédéric Restiaux and Stéphanie Espenell, both immigrated from France to Canada where they met and settled in Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba. Terry was the youngest of six children growing up in a French family. One of her favourite childhood stories was skipping her convent school to watch Gone with the Wind.
Terry met John (Gudjon) Abrahamson (d2008) at her friend Martha’s bonfire in Giroux MB. They married on Nov 5, 1950, and raised four children together, Wanda (d2014)/Rick Edwards (Kathy), Pat/Don Newbury (d2015), Diane/Barry Durant, John/Nancy Ackert. Mom has 13 grandchildren: Shannon (Randy), Scott (Cara), Jef (Eleni), Jill, Laura (Ian), Alison, Jenelle (Mike), Dustin, Calvin, Bailey (Eric), Brendan, Carly (Kevin), and Daniel (Kayla). Terry thought mémère sounded too old-fashioned and was lovingly called grandma and Gigi for great grandma. She was blessed with 20 great-grandchildren. Included in her family as bonus members are Jim (Barbara), Shelley (Bill), and Gisela.
Terry and John had a loving (and teasing) relationship with grandpa doting on grandma as much as he loved to rib her. They were a great couple and so very proud of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Grandma and Grandpa were the best of cheerleaders and loved watching their grandchildren dance, play the piano and sing, and compete in various sports.
Mom was very creative, crafting beautiful wreaths, centrepieces, Easter hats, and Hallowe’en costumes. She was an exceptional 5 pin bowler, representing Manitoba on several provincial teams travelling from Cornerbrook, Nfld to Prince George, BC. In 1967, as a centennial project, Terry started a seniors’ bowling league sponsored by ANAF (Army, Navy, Air Force) 283 at the Village Inn in Westwood. She retired from running this league 45 years later in 2012! Terry, as Mrs. Claus, along with her husband John as Santa volunteered at every nursing home in the St.James area beginning in 1978. One year they were stuck in the elevator at Deer Lodge Centre in costume for three hours! Thankfully they had a health care aide and the goodie cart with them. Terry also enjoyed her Bingo, Meat Draws, and Crib at ANAF 283.
Terry was known for her cookies. Whether you liked oatmeal raisin, oatmeal chocolate chip, peanut butter butterscotch, or chocolate chip, she had a 4L ice cream pail with your name on it! If you were really lucky, you would get an extra-large cookie with a smiley face on it. Cookie baking was a two-day event, with four quadrupled recipes, and at least one sous chef (most often John). On any given day you would find a minimum of 5 ice cream pails full in her freezer. If you returned with your pail, you were guaranteed free refills.
Summers spent at the family cabin creatively named Miss-B-Haven in 1957, provided many enjoyable memories. Some favourites were exploring the sandbars with her children and later her grandchildren, her son-in-law’s infamous bath in the lake with the escaping trunks, bonfires with marshmallows, teaching the grandkids crib, and enjoying the rare cold beer on the hottest of days.
In her final two years, Mom received exceptional care by the friendly and compassionate staff at Tuxedo Villa Extendicare. Terry passed on Sunday, January 30th at 1:18 am. Special thanks to granddaughters Jill and Shannon who gave Grandma peace holding her hand. Terry is now with John, Wanda, and Don playing a game of crib.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Christmas Cheer Board in your area. Family will gather later this year in Arborg, MB to lay Terry to rest with John.
Terry was born on Nov 5, 1929, in St. Boniface, Manitoba. Her parents, Frédéric Restiaux and Stéphanie Espenell, both immigrated from France to Canada where they met and settled in Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba. Terry was the youngest of six children growing up in a French family. One of her favourite childhood stories was skipping her convent school to watch Gone with the Wind.
Terry met John (Gudjon) Abrahamson (d2008) at her friend Martha’s bonfire in Giroux MB. They married on Nov 5, 1950, and raised four children together, Wanda (d2014)/Rick Edwards (Kathy), Pat/Don Newbury (d2015), Diane/Barry Durant, John/Nancy Ackert. Mom has 13 grandchildren: Shannon (Randy), Scott (Cara), Jef (Eleni), Jill, Laura (Ian), Alison, Jenelle (Mike), Dustin, Calvin, Bailey (Eric), Brendan, Carly (Kevin), and Daniel (Kayla). Terry thought mémère sounded too old-fashioned and was lovingly called grandma and Gigi for great grandma. She was blessed with 20 great-grandchildren. Included in her family as bonus members are Jim (Barbara), Shelley (Bill), and Gisela.
Terry and John had a loving (and teasing) relationship with grandpa doting on grandma as much as he loved to rib her. They were a great couple and so very proud of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Grandma and Grandpa were the best of cheerleaders and loved watching their grandchildren dance, play the piano and sing, and compete in various sports.
Mom was very creative, crafting beautiful wreaths, centrepieces, Easter hats, and Hallowe’en costumes. She was an exceptional 5 pin bowler, representing Manitoba on several provincial teams travelling from Cornerbrook, Nfld to Prince George, BC. In 1967, as a centennial project, Terry started a seniors’ bowling league sponsored by ANAF (Army, Navy, Air Force) 283 at the Village Inn in Westwood. She retired from running this league 45 years later in 2012! Terry, as Mrs. Claus, along with her husband John as Santa volunteered at every nursing home in the St.James area beginning in 1978. One year they were stuck in the elevator at Deer Lodge Centre in costume for three hours! Thankfully they had a health care aide and the goodie cart with them. Terry also enjoyed her Bingo, Meat Draws, and Crib at ANAF 283.
Terry was known for her cookies. Whether you liked oatmeal raisin, oatmeal chocolate chip, peanut butter butterscotch, or chocolate chip, she had a 4L ice cream pail with your name on it! If you were really lucky, you would get an extra-large cookie with a smiley face on it. Cookie baking was a two-day event, with four quadrupled recipes, and at least one sous chef (most often John). On any given day you would find a minimum of 5 ice cream pails full in her freezer. If you returned with your pail, you were guaranteed free refills.
Summers spent at the family cabin creatively named Miss-B-Haven in 1957, provided many enjoyable memories. Some favourites were exploring the sandbars with her children and later her grandchildren, her son-in-law’s infamous bath in the lake with the escaping trunks, bonfires with marshmallows, teaching the grandkids crib, and enjoying the rare cold beer on the hottest of days.
In her final two years, Mom received exceptional care by the friendly and compassionate staff at Tuxedo Villa Extendicare. Terry passed on Sunday, January 30th at 1:18 am. Special thanks to granddaughters Jill and Shannon who gave Grandma peace holding her hand. Terry is now with John, Wanda, and Don playing a game of crib.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Christmas Cheer Board in your area. Family will gather later this year in Arborg, MB to lay Terry to rest with John.