Mae Andrich

Mae Eleanor Andrich

(nee Scherk)

Peacefully on Friday, August 22, 2014, Mae Andrich passed away with family at her side in the Douglas Campbell Lodge at the age of 92 years.

She was predeceased by her husband William Andrich and parents Ernest and Edna Anderson.  Left to cherish Mae's memory are her sons Duke (Susan) Andrich, Dean Andrich and Todd (Tannis) Andrich; grandchildren Jason (Francesca), Ryan (Tammy), Shawn (Karla), Christopher (Renee) and Avery; great grandchildren Jesse, Connor, Willie, Ash and Molly; as well as extended family and friends.

Mae was born and raised in Kenora, Ontario, an only child with many doting aunts and uncles.  This is where her great devotion to family began.  At 16 she moved to Portage with her parents where she completed high school and met her lifetime sweetheart Bill.

Mae completed nurses training at the Children's Hospital in Winnipeg while Bill was a flight instructor for the RCAF during the war.  They were married shortly after.

Summers were spent at Delta with the children enjoying the natural environment and getting together with many relatives and friends. Curling was a favourite pass-time in the winter in her younger days. Mae also looked after the books for the family business  Andrich and Co. Meat Market.  Mae volunteered for many years with the Association for Community Living. At 45 years of age Mae resumed her nursing career, looking after patients and teaching the Licensed Practical Nurse program.

In retirement Mae's dedication to family continued. She did books for both Duke and  Todd in their various ventures.  She also ran two-way radios from  home for Duke's tree-trimming business (before cell phones were available). Mae and Bill loved to travel and their trips included Florida, Hawaii, Minneapolis and Grand Forks.  At 75 years of age Mae took her 13 year old grandson Christopher to Disney World.

Mae had a kind and gentle nature.  She was a great listener and very generous.  Her door was always open.   You could drop in any time and she would rush to put the kettle on or immediately look in the fridge to see what she had to offer. She maintained a positive attitude through all life's trials and tribulations.  Mae really lived the old saying “if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all”. She always had a way of neutralizing any negative phrase that was spoken.   What a gift this was.

A memorial service to celebrate Mae's life will take place a week from this saturday on Saturday, November 8 ^th , 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel led by Rev. Julie Baker.

If friends and family wish to make a donation in Mae's memory, the family suggest the Portage District General Hospital Foundation, 524 5 ^th St SE, Portage la Prairie, MB  R1N 3A8 or the Douglas Campbell Lodge, 150-9 ^th St SE, Portage la Prairie,  R1N 3V4.

The family would like to thank the staff at Douglas Campbell Lodge and Dr.'s Macklem and Rice for the wonderful level of care and compassion that Mae received; and to Dr. Brian Graham who treated Mae for over 40 years increasing her quality of life.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com