CURRAN: Mona Curran was born May 17, 1917 in Ochre River, Manitoba. Mona Madelaine Curran passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 11, 2006 at the Fairview Nursing Home in Brandon. Mona was dearly loved and will be missed terribly by her children; daughter Judy (Norm) Fox of Gimili; son Bill Curran, and daughter Jean Curran both of Brandon; grandchildren Shannon Fox-[Wade] Paterson, Greg Fox (Shellie), Lesley (Randy) Osborne, Holly Zoner (Dan DeRoo); Lesley's and Holly's dad and Mona's son-in-law Jerry Zoner; great grandchildren Jake and Curtis Osborne and Liam Paterson; her nieces and nephews. Mona was predeceased by her parents John & Bertha McGregor; her beloved husband Stan in 1982; her sisters Verna Bennett, Jean Thompson and Enit Gibbs; and many relatives and friends. Mona and her three sisters had a near idyllic childhood on the family farm on the Ochre River and shore of Lake Dauphin. At age 21, Mona left home to join her sister in the far northern community of Island Falls. It was there that the statuesque, beautiful Mona McGregor, from a bucolic little farm in southern Manitoba, met Stanley George Curran - tall, dark, and handsome, with the added features of a British accent, from the sprawling industrial city of Liverpool, England, being a great musician and the all 'round life of the party. They were married in February 1941. What every marriage should be, their marriage was. Full of love, commitment, acceptance, forgiveness and understanding?th a great sense of humour and fun thrown in for good measure. We, their three children, were the very happy beneficiaries of this loving couple. Our little home was warm, comfy-cozy, calm and safe?ull of music and full of laughs. Three kids to one bedroom, five people with one bathroom, an 8'x8' foot kitchen with 4 feet of counter space, out of which mum produced the most scrumptious meals, snacks and baked goods there ever was?ery day. And "canning season" was a whole 'nother story. So when Dad decided to build the summer cabin he proclaimed it would be altogether different from the little house and he delivered. It was way, way, smaller?ree rooms, two feet of counter space and no bathroom at all. It was great. Mum was a homemaker. It was a full time job. Mum read a story to us every night. We never came home to an empty house. She looked after us when we were sick, she held down the fort while Dad worked the three shift changes at the Company. In summer we were able to go to the lake for the full two months?m was there? go our Aunt Verna and Uncle John's farm in Ochre River?m was there. Mum was happiest when those around her were happy. In her rare moments of down time Mum loved reading, her veggie and flower gardens, curling (many bonspiels at the Willow Park Curling Club) and of course the ubiquitous cup of tea and cigarette. (Player's "roll-yer-own"). It was a sight to behold when Mum went into a "roll-yer-own" marathon, tobacco flying everywhere. She finally quit. ? 75 years of age?becoming miffed when she heard about all the additives being injected into cigarettes. "There was nothing wrong with good, clean tobacco" she insisted. And tea Between the two of them, Mum and Dad drank enough of the stuff to keep the Red Rose Tea Company at optimum profit levels for some 65 years. Mum and Dad retired to Neepawa in 1974 and there Mum joined of the Order of the Royal Purple?nlisting in the Drill Team. (Dad having been a Brother Elk in good standing for many years.) Mum had never joined any organization before, she didn't care for organizations, but she had a great time and made many new friends. Mum and Dad loved their four grandchildren and lavished them with the magical love and attention only grandparents can give. Mum spoiled them in every way. Ga Gans would occasionally make a weak attempt at discipline but was usually shut down by Gramma. Mum was devastated when her beloved Stan passed away in 1982, she missed him terribly for the rest of her life. It was just never the same. In 1984 she moved to Brandon to be close to her daughter Jean and her family. Mum's final years were spent at the Fairview Nursing Home. We, Mona's family, are so very grateful and thankful to the incredible 1st floor staff at Fairview, for the loving and compassionate care given to our Mum and Gramma. She was loved and content. And also to Dr. Mary Egan for the same care and compassion. We will miss our Mum and Gramma so very much. We believe she is at peace and reunited with Dad. The Funeral Ceremony to Celebrate Mona's Life will be held on Friday, June 16, 2006 at 2:00 pm at Memories Chapel, 330 18th Street North. Interment to take place at a later date. Donations in memory of Mona may be made to Children's Wish Foundation-Manitoba Chapter 350 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3J2. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330. Memorials
Children's Wish Foundation