Vergil Eleanor Stinson

Verg was born February 10, 1921 in Fort Frances Ontario, the second of four children to Thomas and Ebba Riley of International Falls Minnesota. She was predeceased by her parents, stepfather Gabe Henry, three siblings Everett (Buck) Riley, Robert Riley, and Audrey Riley, her husband Lloyd (Bud) Stinson, and her son Terence (Terry) Stinson. She is survived by her son Leland (Lee) Stinson, grandsons Christopher Stinson and Jonathan Stinson, daughter-in-law Marilyn Stinson and granddaughters Victoria Stinson, Kathryn Stinson and Kerrilyn Stinson.

Verg spent her childhood years in the east end of Fort Frances. As a youngster she ran and played on the huge lumber piles at the Shevlin-Clarke sawmill. She loved to swim at the sorting gap and the Point Park. She also enjoyed dancing at the Point Park Pavillion. Verg was passionate about skating on Rainy Lake and the other outdoor rinks around town. She loved and was active in many organized sports including basketball, baseball, tennis, canoeing, track and field. Verg was especially proud of marching as a majorette in the Fort Frances band when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited Winnipeg in their 1939 royal tour of Canada; she recalled the band won third prize with over fifty bands competing.

In her adult years Verg developed numerous other interests including a special enthusiasm for curling. She played in countless bonspiels and attended world curling events in Europe and North America. Always involved in the community, Vergil was social dynamo forever interested and kind to everyone. Verg loved teaching English as a second language for the Community College. She was a lifelong member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She had a special place in her heart for her “Sorority Sisters”, and the charity work they do for people in the district. For ten years she worked tirelessly for tolerance and multiculturalism with the Rainy River Multicultural Association. Verg was always fascinated by rocks and minerals having accumulated an extensive collection of them throughout her lifetime.

Verg’s love for her family in her later years was paramount and unconditional. She doted on her grandchildren sparing no expense and giving everything she could for those she loved. Vergil would go out of her way to cook for anyone that came to her house and it was her personal obligation to be the best host she could be. In addition to being a great cook, Verg also had a sweet tooth and could never get enough of the candies and chocolates cleverly hidden around her home. Vergil lived a full and happy life always concerned for family and all those around her. She will be missed.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2014 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.

A memorial service will be held at the Rainycrest Long Term Care Facility in the Hallett Hall, 550 Osborne St. Fort Frances Ontario on Friday July 4, 2014 at 11:00 am. Father Wayne McIntosh will officiate, followed by a luncheon at the same location. All are welcome to attend. Interment will follow in the Riverview Cemetery.

Honourary pallbearers will be Vergil’s family and friends.

In lieu of flowers in memoriam donations be made to either Knox United Church Renewal Fund or Rainycrest Long Term Care Memorial Fund, in Fort Frances in care of Green Funeral Home, Box 427, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3M8

On-line condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com

Vergil was caring, compassionate and loving to all. We miss you Gram.