Edna Merrick

Edna Viola Merrick

Sunshine Woman

November 16, 1932 – November 3, 2014

Peacefully on November 3, 2014, our precious mother Edna began her journey to the Spirit World at the Portage la Prairie General Hospital at 81 years of age with her eldest daughter and granddaughter by her side.

Mom was raised at Long Plain First Nation and attended Sandy Bay Residential School until the age of 15. She was a seamstress and worked in sewing factories in Portage and Brandon. She later teamed up with Donald Daniels as janitors at the Long Plain School. She volunteered her time to help with any school activities that she could help.

She had an unbelievable work ethic. Even after she retired she was so busy with her seasonal home activities putting out her flowers, raking leaves, mowing the lawn and supervising Christmas light decorations. She welcomed all to her home and enjoyed the company of her many visitors as she had a great sense of humor, laughing at herself and what the predicaments she got into with her best friends. It was always a pleasure to visit our mother as she had stories to tell. Her door was open for those in need. Mom also had dogs in her home throughout her lifetime and included them in her will that the dogs came with the house. She would call us when she made her homemade buns, bread and pies that we considered a treat and so yummy!

Mom assisted many families with her gift to dress beloved ones on their final journey. She never failed to give her children birthday gifts every year regardless of our ages. She said she loved all her children. Her gift to many, was her gentleness and kindness that will forever live in our hearts. Mom is the last of her generation.

Edna’s family to cherish her precious memories are her children; Liz, Roger, Rosalind (Orville), Hazel (Jim), Warren (Arlene), Freida (Alvin) and Sandra (Marvin); her 31 grandchildren: Derek, Andrea, Adrienne, Geordie, Delmar, Terry, Peter Sky, Cole, Chris Klassen, Julie, James, Kristine, Sara, Cheryl, Cheryl Whitecloud, Gerand, Gerald Jr, Jonathan, Indaanis, Minwaa Binesi, Carrie, Dustin, Catlin, Nadine, Tiffany, Krystal, Dana, Alexis, Cheyenne, Thelma and Rodney Jr; 55 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mom was predeceased by her parents Peter Houle and Alice Prince; husband Alvin; sons Douglas, Terry, Reggie and Gerald; daughter Andrea; granddaughter Samantha Wasicuna and  grandson Roger Merrick Jr.

Many appreciative Miigwechs to the Nurses and Medical Ward staff at the Portage Hospital and Long Plain Medical Centre staff for taking excellent and tender care of our mother; Chief & Council for their moral and financial support; Margaret French for her dedicated service for travel arrangements; all those persons who visited Mom at home and at the hospital during her illness and the Winnipeg Police Service for attempting to notify our baby sister.

Traditional Wake will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2014 at the Long Plain Spirit Lodge at 4:00 pm. On Friday, November 7, 2014, the Traditional Feast will begin at 11 AM and grandsons Derek Woods and Keith Pashe will officiate with a Going Home Ceremony. Mom’s final journey to include a stop at her beloved home before proceeding to the Spirit Lodge and her resting place will be beside her late sister Esther at the Merrick Cemetery.

The pallbearers are her grandsons Gerald Jr, Terry, Cole, Catlin and great grandsons: Dacotah, Chris Jr..  The Honorary Pallbearers are all those who were touched by her, knew and loved our precious mother.

A message can be left in the on-line guest book at

www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com