On September 23, 2023, Candace Elaine Sigurdson, 74, of Brandon, MB, passed away peacefully at the Brandon General Hospital with her beloved son Sean, her daughter Colleen and grand-daughter Kaolin at her side. It was early that morning, the air held a mist as her angel ushered her to heaven.

Candace and her sister Gwen spent their childhood years growing up on Green Street in Flin Flon with their parents James and Phyllis Syme. They had such fun there, making some very special and lasting friendships. The family made several moves during the 60's including Winnipeg, Orillia, Werner Lake and Bissett. Candace attended high school in Lac du Bonnet and was very active on social committees, cheerleading, editing and producing the yearbook. Friends recall her as fun, friendly, always with a big smile. Her energy, enthusiasm, and laughter was contagious and followed her everywhere she went. She signed her school pictures "Love, Luck, Laughter" and it was a motto to how she lived life to the fullest. Candace taught swimming lessons and lifeguarded in Pinawa and Red Lake briefly before taking a stenographer's course in Winnipeg.
Then Candace and Brian Sigurdson were married in Edmonton, Alberta in 1974. They resided in Edmonton and had their first son Jason. Shortly after Jason's birth they moved to Winnipeg, MB where they had their daughter Colleen and their second son Sean. Candace loved being a Mom and was actively involved in all their interests and activities. Candace was instrumental in getting traffic lights installed on a busy street (Roblin Blvd) near her children's elementary school. She was so concerned someone would be hurt crossing there. Candace used her strength and unwavering persistence to press city hall and won the battle. She later received an award for her hard work and determination from the committee she spearheaded. Candace volunteered so much of her time to the local community centre and local schools to aid in the education of her children and all those around her. She really cared about her community's well being.

They resided in Winnipeg until 1992 when they moved to Brandon, Manitoba which they called home. Candace had put in for a transfer from the Winnipeg Eaton's Drapery department to the Brandon Eaton Drapery department. Shortly after the move to Brandon; Eaton's closed and Candace went to work at Park Avenue Interiors where she became an owner. In 1999 she and her family opened Interior Images Limited, working hard and growing the company's success. Candace loved people and helping people and she also started looking after property and caring for people in need. Her company grew and her properties expanded. Candace made many great friends in Brandon and touched many people's lives. She loved all her travel adventures too, especially enjoying swimming with the dolphins, and visits to Taiwan, Mexico and her many trips to Las Vegas.

Candace loved to celebrate, her children's weddings were a highlight in her life. The new arrival of life as little grandchildren arrived was so cherished by her. To celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with as much food as possible was a must, and she looked forward to that time each year. Birthday parties were always a time of joy and she insisted everyone had to make time to celebrate as a family with friends. The Facetime, phone calls, letters, cards, and visits Candace received during the final weeks of her life were a tremendous source of joy, peace, and comfort to her. She was always so strong and courageous, facing any difficulties with bravery and determination. She was generous beyond measure and her love for family, her pets, birds and life in general was as immense as her kind, loving heart. She was so grateful for the wonderful care she received while sick.

In the spring of 2009,, Candace was thrilled to find a lost brother, Rod Gillette, and his wife Melanie, who lived in Mesa, Arizona. She and her sister hopped on a plane to go meet him and it was brotherly love at first sight. Then later in her life she found out she was the oldest of the Peever family. She had another sister and three brothers. When Candace found her new family it brought her such joy and love. We drove to Flin Flon and met everyone and it was an incredible experience. Her life studying ancestry brought her so much happiness and she loved all of her new family. Family was Candace's vocation and first love.

In a word, Candace was brilliant. Her inquisitiveness and keen intellect drove all her pursuits. Her passion to build a successful environment, become an importer/exporter, solve political issues, support her community, also put her artistic skills to the test to create beautiful interior spaces. It is so divine and full of colorful draperies, pursuing her passion. Candace carried a drive to understand business and she mastered her life. Whatever she did, she was all in!

She was predeceased by her father James A. Syme, her mother Phyllis G. McConnell and her son Jason M. Sigurdson, brother Rod Gillette.

She is survived by : her daughter Colleen (Ken) English, Kaolin English (granddaughter) and her son Sean (Katrina) SIgurdson, Finn & Grey (grandsons), and her grandsons from her son Jason - Kaya, Eva, Jack, Ellis; sister Gwen (Clifford) Veilleux; niece Suzanne (Santo) Ciulla; nephew Christopher (Angie) Veilleux; great-nieces Symantha (Sam Mandryk) Ciulla and Julianna and Adèle Veilleux; great-nephew Gio Ciulla; cousins Dale (Fran) Rokosh, Patti (Ron Lepage) Mitchell and Judy (Luciano) Monai; sister-in-law Melanie (late Rod) Gillette; Peever Sister Ida (Alvin) Kozar nephew Jason & Kelly, Peever Brothers, Kelly (Debbie Burwash) nephew Ryan, Randy niece Rochelle, Dale niece Chelsie.

The Celebration of Candace's Life will take place at Memories Chapel, 330 – 18th Street North, Brandon on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. Candace will then be laid to rest with her son Jason at the Brandon Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Candace may be made to Brandon Humane Society, 2200 – 17th Street East, Brandon, MB R7A 7M6.