Rena McIlwraith

Rena McIlwraith

Rena McIlwraith passed away peacefully at Birchwood Terrace Nursing Home at the age of 90 on May 3, 2014. She was a loving and devoted mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend to many. Left to mourn are her children Catherine Lindsay, Christopher Martens, Elizabeth Martinson and Anne Dufrane, grandchildren; Catherine’s children Stephen (Jackie) of Winnipeg, Alan Baker (Tanya), Brian Barker all of Winnipeg. Christopher’s children Daisy and McKenzie both of Winnipeg, Elizabeth’s children Duane, Joshua and Daniel all of Vancouver. Anne’s children, Dylan and Jackson of Surrey and Calgary, nephews Dale Wilson, Sean Davies, great nephews Christopher Wilson and Benjamin Wilson. Rena was priviledged to have eleven great grandchildren.

Predeceased by her loving husband Hugh in 2009, great-nephew Tim Wilson, sisters Gertrude Wilson, Laura Roberts, Pearl McNabb and her parents Annie and Albert (Mike) McNabb.

Rena was born in Ignace, Ontario and lived there until she was eight years old. On July 7th, 1932 saw the family move to Kenora when her father was transferred with CP Railway. As a child and youth her passion was sports. While in school, track and field was something she excelled at and she treasured her trophies for the rest of her life. She was a tomboy, swimming, skiing, skating and horse back riding were critical to her happiness. This love of the outdoors was her way of getting out of working in the house-she really never got into dusting and baking and the such. In her own words “I was the undomesticated one in the family”. Summers spent at the family camps on Dogtooth Lake would see her swimming back and forth across the bay. This love could not be stopped, even in 2005, after losing her sight she went swimming, sadly for the last time in Dogtooth. This speaks to her determination and strength of character.

Her strength and compassion was known and felt by many and she worked tirelessly in the various communities in which she lived. She was a girl guide captain and had companies in Kenora (3 companies), Churchill, MB (2 companies), Fort George, QC and Stonewall, MB. The Anglican Church was part of her life from birth and at the age of seven she became a member of the Junior Auxillary and continued her close association with the Auxillary for many years.

During her first marriage to John Martinson, she travelled to Northern Canada and see the beauty of the north and learn the culture of the native people and adopt her four precious children. These children were later to marry and make her even happier with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They all were the loves of her life.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Alban’s Cathedral on June 24, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. followed by a graveside service at Lake of the Woods Cemetery.

In honour of Rena, donations may be made to St. Alban’s Outreach Ministry, c/o Rev. Jim Dugan, Church of St. Alban’s, 312 Main St. South, Kenora, Ontario P9N 1T2 would be greatly appreciated by the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralomekenora.com

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