Dear Roger, Dean and Jeff,
I am heartbroken to learn of the recent passing of your Mom. Please accept our sincere condolences to you and your families.
My mom and I always hoped to reunite with Gayda, picking up where we left off, as we always did - reminiscing about the old days on 65th Street, visits in Winnipeg and finding ourselves living on the same street, once again, many years later in Ranchlands. As our folks got older, health failed and moves were necessary, we sadly lost touch with Gayda in more recent years, no longer able to find her with the last contacts we had.
We met your family as neighbours in the 1970’s, with an adorable little boy, Roger, introducing himself by asking our dad if he had any children he could play with! And so began years of many adventures; in our homes and yards, at school and roaming the neighbourhood, and later our acreage in Manitoba. In the blink of an eye decades have unfolded, and I recall so many memories from back then of fun times, and often outright crazy stunts and hijinks, as young boys (and sometimes tag-along little sister) will get to. Our moms would quickly become lifelong friends while navigating life and motherhood. With five children between our families, aged 5 and under, things were never, ever, dull!
Gayda was such a genuinely kind and easygoing person, with a heart of pure gold and a beautiful smile that I will always remember. She took every challenge thrown her way in stride, always with a fantastically wicked sense of humour! I remember she would often say “If I didn’t have bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all!” Although that was sometimes quite true, she was the most resilient person I knew. Her family meant everything to her. She loved you all - her three boys, beyond measure, and was tremendously proud of the men you grew to be. As your own families grew, so did her joy and happiness.
She was very much a second mom to me and will always hold a very special place in my heart. I miss her terribly. I am going to listen to some Gordon Lightfoot in her memory and think back to the old days in Pineridge; records playing on the stereo, all us kids up to some sort of wild shenanigans, laughter, Fuzzy the dog chasing underfoot - our moms just trying to survive our chaos, letting those warm memories of happy times fill my heart.
We loved Gayda, she was a wonderful person and very dear friend. Please know we are thinking of you all, sending our heartfelt love at this very sad time.
Michelle
