Verna Bailey

Verna Bailey

(nee Edie)

Peacefully with family by her side, Verna Bailey passed away on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at Portage District General Hospital at the age of 79 years.

She was predeceased by her husband Allan in 2002, parents Bruce and Florence Edie, brother Arnold and his wife Helen; brother Norman and his wife Lois, nephew Bruce Edie and niece Grace Edie. Verna is survived by her son Douglas (Maria) Bailey of Winnipeg; daughter Ardelle (Stan) Ritchie of Lethbridge AB and grandchildren Philip (Sally) Ritchie, Brian (Kayla) Ritchie, Diana and Matthew Bailey; siblings Lois (Lyall) Allison of Roland, Glen (Eunice) Edie of Dugald and Ken (Susan) Edie of Dugald along with many nieces and nephews. Verna is also survived by partner Willie Brydon and his daughter Donna (Jim) McKenzie and their family.

Verna was born in the Dugald, MB area in 1933 and grew up on the family farm. She attended one-room public schools in the Oak Hammock and Cornwall districts, took High School in Dugald and completed her education at United College in Winnipeg, MB.

Following this, she taught High School on permit in Vita, MB for one year before proceeding into nurse training in 1951 at the Winnipeg General Hospital (W.G.H.). She graduated in 1954, winning the two top scholarship awards for her class.

Following graduation, Verna worked in the operating room at the W.G.H. for one year, then took a year of Nursing Teaching and Supervision at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. On completion of these studies, she worked in the OR at the University Hospital as Assistant Head Nurse, and also at the North Battleford Hospital as Head O.R. Nurse. In 1958 she returned to Manitoba and worked at the Winnipeg General.

At this time, she met and married Allan Bailey from Oakville, MB, moving to Oakville where they resided from 1959 a�" 1999. During these years Verna worked as a Supervisior at the Portage Hospital until her retirement in December 1997.

Nursing was a big part of Verna's identity, as she felt a deep loyalty to her work, and great respect and admiration for the nursing & medical staff for making the Portage & District General Hospital a special place. Verna was regarded as a caring and highly competent nurse who was relied on in stressful situations.

Verna's favourite pastime was curling. She held many positions with the Oakville Club and was awarded a Life Time Membership Award in 1996. She also curled with the Portage la Reine Ladies Club for many years, and continued to curl with the Burnside league in later years.

Verna also enjoyed swimming, and helped with organizing the Red Cross Swimming Programmes at Norquay Beach for several years.

Summer camping was also enjoyed, spending time at Bambi Gardens and later Miller's Campground, and other spots in Manitoba. Allan and Verna also traveled to Arizona with their fifth-wheel for many winter vacations.

In 1999 a move was made to Portage la Prairie to the newly built Dalton Grove Estates. Here she quickly became involved with bridge groups, and also golfed several years at the Portage Golf Club and later with the Southport Ladies League.

At Dalton, Verna served as Chairman of the Tenants Association for many years, and helped organize activities there. Verna enjoyed her new friends at Dalton, attending many Glesby concerts, and many other special events with them. She also did some traveling to Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Cuba and the United States with friends and family.

Later Verna enjoyed traveling with Willie to curling events, including several many Brier and World Champion events and also to family occasions in California and Ottawa.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 7, 2012 at Trinity United Church at 11:00 am, with viewing prior to the service, led by Rev. Beth Kerr. Interment will take place in the Oakville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Verna's memory to Trinity United Church Memorial Fund, 15 Tupper Street S., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1W7 or to Oakville & District Community Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 1153, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3J9 or Sunset Palliative Care, Box 92, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3B2.

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