Leah Darlene Cairns

On January 7, 2015 Leah Darlene Cairns passed away in HSC due to injuries sustained during a horseback ride on December 23, 2014 near her acreage. At her bedside were the love of her life husband Chris and mother Bridget.

Leah was born February 27, 1964 in Souris Manitoba, the daughter of Bridget & the late Harvey Cairns. She was schooled in Virden, Man., received a BSc from Brandon University and Certified Electrical Technology from ACC. Her first job in 1990 was with Manitoba Hydro and remained there until the present time. At the time of her death, she was Hazardous Materials Officer in the Corporate Safety & Health Division. She was a hard worker and well respected by her colleagues.

Leah is survived by her husband, Chris Collins, her son, Hunter Walker and his father Gord, mother and stepfather, Bridget & Arnold McPhaden, her sister Lori (James Crooks) & their family Kendra (Bryce Emerson), Paige and Candace, her brother Sean (Teresa Hudon) & their family Amanda, Justin & Ashley Cairns. She is also survived by her mother-in-law Marie Collins and brother-in-laws Ron and Bradley Collins. Also missing her are her aunts, uncles many cousins & friends and her dog Penny and horses Harley & Dusty.

She was predeceased by her father Harvey Cairns, father-in-law Marvin Collins and grandparents, Jim & Gladys Cairns & Ted & Sheila Archibald.

Leah loved life and in the short time with Chris lived it to the fullest. They travelled to the East Coast, twice to Cuba and just this past May took a Hawaiian cruise. She found another horse lover in Chris and they enjoyed several horse camping trips in Alberta and Saskatchewan. She was one of the organizers of our yearly family camping trip.

She was a voracious reader and photographer. Chris will have many pictures of their times together. She loved gardening as evidenced by her large garden and planters. She was an avid knitter, making many articles and with Chris curled in Ile des Chenes. She enjoyed riding her motorcycle, sledding with family and friends, and camping.

A Celebration of Life for Leah will be held on Friday, January 16th, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Green Acres Funeral Home, Highway #1 East at Navin road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Manitoba Brain Injury Association, 204-825 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3A 1M5