- BARBARA EDITH AWREY Music Teacher - Myrtle MB Aunt Barbara passed suddenly but peacefully on March 7, 2012, just six days after her husband, Milton's passing. Barbara was born November 29, 1913 and was the youngest daughter of Alex and Lena Mitchell (nee Schrafal). She spent her childhood and adult life in the Myrtle community before retiring to Winnipeg. She was predeceased by an infant son in 1950 and all her siblings, brother Andy and sisters Betty, Lena and Mary. She is survived by Andy's daughter Sandra Dodd and Lena's son BJ as well as great nieces and nephews. Barbara met her husband Milt on the school van in 1921. They were sweethearts through high school and married February 7, 1942. They were both here to observe their 70th wedding anniversary, although not together due to Milt's fragile health. Surely they pined to be partying, like on their 69th, when they were still together and living independently in their own condo. At a very young age Grandpa Mitchell recognized that his little granddaughter had musical ability. Grandpa gave Alex a litter of weanling pigs as a gift on the understanding that he would raise them to market then "get that girl a piano and some lessons". Alex kept the promise and bought a piano at an auction sale. Barbara confided it wasn't a very good piano but "I squeezed some good tunes out of it anyway". Turns out Barbara had the talent of playing by ear, but took some lessons anyway. By her teens she was teaching neighbourhood children piano lessons and later spent the 1940s to 1980s teaching piano lessons to hundreds of children at $1 per lesson, to supplement her husband's farm income. She finally retired from teaching at the age of 70. She also played for the church as well as performing in various dance bands. In her later teens she used to catch the train at Myrtle station and spend the weekend with her sister Betty in Winnipeg and take some violin lessons. Violin didn't suit as it didn't come naturally like the piano. Barbara also confessed to hating practising violin even though as a piano teacher her parting comment each week was "now make sure you practise for at least half an hour everyday". Milt and Barbara had a wonderful long life together often taking long motoring vacations throughout Canada and to Alaska as well as spending a few winters in Texas. Right to the end they were deeply in love, always greeting and parting with a long kiss on the lips. Even the day he left the condo by ambulance on a stretcher, Milt got a goodbye kiss on the lips. It's sad to see such a great love story end, but thankfully they weren't apart for long. With both their passings, Milt and Barbara are bequeathing several hundred thousand dollars to The Winnipeg Foundation to establish a fund to assist financially challenged youth to participate in minor sports. At request there will be no service except for interment of both their ashes at the Myrtle Cemetery, at a later date. The past seven months have been a saga of medical events and changing care needs for this wonderful couple who declined from 100% independence very rapidly. On the way we interacted with some wonderfully caring and compassionate health care professionals who helped immensely and in some cases even took personal ownership when needed. We extend many thanks to the Victoria 5th floor team, Riverview Geriatric Rehab Team, Concordia 2 west staff, Concordia Chaplin Services and Poseidon nursing home 5th floor nursing and support staff. Family and friends may sign a Book of Condolence at www.glenlawn.ca. Glen Lawn Funeral Home 982-7550
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on March 10, 2012
|
1913 - 2012 (98 years)
