Family and friends gathered at Central United Church on Wednesday, September 27, to celebrate the life of Edith Alma Poole, who passed away on September 24, 2000, just two days past her 94th birthday. Mom was born in Cowall, Ontario and came west as a small child with her parents, James and Cassie Gauld, to Alexander, Manitoba where she received her schooling and was active in community and church activities. She attended Normal School in Moosomin, Saskatchewan, and at the age of 17 began teaching in Barriere Lake, Saskatchewan. Her next teaching position was in Sprague, Manitoba. Later she was offered a position in Alexander School and returned home to be closer to her family. While teaching in Alexander she met Alfred Poole. They were married in 1937 and went to live on the groom's farm at Kemnay. They actively participated in community, church and school functions with the arrival of children Edie, Marilyn and Jim. Mom always loved to have plenty of children around, and made a point of inviting the school down for corn and weiner roasts and hikes in the valley. As we grew more independent, Mom was able to participate in the Brandon Fair, with entries of flowers and plants, baking and sewing, and later, as a member of the Homecraft committee for the Provincial Exhibition. Mom's love of gardening and particularly flowers, led to a membership in the Brandon Horticultural Society, and requests from other communities for judging at their fairs. Finally, at the age of 85, she began to decline the requests for judging, as she thought perhaps she should retire. During this time Mom was also involved with the Women's Institute serving as local President and later as Provincial President. This gave her the opportunity to travel across Canada and also to conferences in Europe, which she enjoyed thoroughly. Mom always maintained that she got much more from the organizations she belonged to than she was ever able to give back. She and Dad also managed to travel to the U.K. and Hawaii, as well as many visits to family, which by this time had spread out between B.C. and Ontario. We were very honoured when Mom and Dad were nominated to the Manitoba Hall of Fame as "partners" for their contribution to agriculture and the community. Mom was pre-deceased by her beloved husband, Alfred, her parents, James and Cassie Gauld, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred and Annie Poole, her sister, Helena MacDougall, and her brother, Stuart Gauld. She is survived and deeply missed by her brother, Gordon (Muriel) Gauld, daughter, Edie (Glenn) Mowat, daughter, Marilyn (Stan) Johnson, son, Jim (Phyllis) Poole, grandchildren, Greg (Darcy) Mowat, Randy (Kim) Mowat, Shannon (Warren) Enns, Melissa Johnson, Christopher (Annabella) Johnson, Brad (Roseanna) Poole, Brent and Brenda Poole, and great grandchildren, Ryan Darvill, Kristen and Brett Mowat, Glenn and Dean Enns, Anya Johnson Poon, Emily Johnson and Brayden Poole. A private family interment was held at Rosewood Memorial Gardens prior to the ceremony at Central United Church. Officiant was Rev. Laird Russell-Yearwood, active pallbearers were grandchildren, Greg and Randy Mowat, Brent and Brenda Poole, Melissa Johnson and Shannon Enns. Arrangements were in care of Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330. Memorials
Flowers Gratefully Accepted