Dawn McFarlane

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dawn on February 9th, 2014 at the age of 75 years.

Dawn was born March 10th, 1938 in Laurier, MB. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She married her lifelong love Garry McFarlane on November 3, 1956; they spent 45 years together before his passing on June 29, 2001.

Dawn’s memory will live on in the hearts of her son Garry (Jen), daughters Heather, Laurie (Randy) and Dyan (Curt), grandchildren Bryce, Ashley (Brent), Chloe and Wren.

We would like to thank the nurses and staff on 4th floor west at Deer Lodge Centre for their care and compassion.

Funeral service for Dawn will be held at Green Acres Funeral Home, #1 Hwy East at Navin Road, on Friday, February 14, 2014 at 2:00pm. Following the service she will be laid to rest with her husband in Green Acres Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dawn’s memory may be made to Manitoba Lung Association or Heart and Stroke Foundation.

GREEN ACRES

Funeral Home and Cemetery

(204) 222-3241

Condolences may be sent to

www.greenacresfuneralhome.com

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Heather Lutte: Dawn McFarlane Eulogy

February 14, 2014

Good Afternoon Family and friends

I want to thank all of you for being here today to celebrate our mom. We always knew what a generous, kind and spirited woman Dawn was

I honestly don’t know how I can adequately describe our mom with words. But one comes to mind SURVIVOR…being the youngest girl of 12 children in a family that grew up rural Laurier Manitoba. Life wasn’t easy on the farm but she had parents that loved her and lots of friends in her siblings and stayed close to them throw out her life.

She lived her life for her family. Being women of the late 1930 at a time when the world wasn’t kind to women. She married my Dad Garry when she was a very young. And by the time she was 21 had 4 children.

My mother worked a full time job for her family and cared deeply for everyone she knew, whether you were her family, friend. Her house was always filled with them

She adored her grandchildren, Bryce, Ashley, Chloe and Wren we know that as she got sicker and sicker with her COPD, one of the reasons she fought so hard was for them. She loved them and each one of them had a special bond and connection with her.

They will miss her with all of their hearts and will always cherish the times they spent with their Nana.

Her spirit has not left us. Everyone who was ever touched by her in his or her lifetime should have faith that she will be watching over them because that is just the kind of person she was.

I personally spent the last 3 weeks with mom at deer lodge, the nurses shared their stories with me. That she was very kind and generous to them. Mom always wanted to know about them and their families. They loved her love of fashion and when she was feeling good. Was always sporting the latest styles. They said mom was never difficult with them but was fussy…and they didn’t mind. I would like to thank them all at deer lodge for caring for mom these last 6 years.

She has left reminders of herself everywhere: In the family home on Tahoe bay. The dock in front of our cottage at Falcon Lake. In the walls and hall of Deer lodge center where she spent her last years of her life.

Our mom was a remarkable woman and I doubt she ever realized how gifted she was musically. Never studying music, she could pick up any instrument and play it by ear. AS a matter of fact the first part of my life I thought everyone Mom could do that…I soon found out that wasn’t the case.

Mom was also a awesome cook and baker…she was amazing, we kids all remember coming home from school to a table full of homemade perogies or cookies. Christmas time it was a factory of decadent delights in her kitchen.

Cherish the memories you have of her and honor her memory by doing good things for others. Forgive whom ever you need to forgive NOW…because in the end it doesn’t matter. Her love for all of us, all of you, is what is going to pull us all through this. All of the many, people who’s lives have been touched by her should take comfort in knowing that right now, she is standing at the gates of heaven, breathing in huge breaths of air. That is what is getting me through this. Knowing that she can finally breathe on her own. It makes me so happy for her, even though I am so sad for us.

So I leave you with a quote from Mayo Angelo:

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”

My family and I thank you for being here today