Mrs Georgina Emma Gallinger

Georgina Emma Gallinger (nee Quinn) passed away peacefully on October 30, 2013 at the age of 88 years. She was predeceased by her parents, Frederick and Daisy Quinn; brothers, Bruce and Bill; husband, Don; brothers-in-law, Marvin Gallinger, Andy Bisson, Larry Phillips and Richard Kater and mother and father-in-law, Clifford and Minnie Gallinger. Georgina was born on June 16, 1925 on the farm at Earl Grey. She was the only daughter of Fred and Daisy Quinn, having an older brother Bill and younger brother Bruce. She took her elementary grades at Earl Grey and when Georgina was in Grade 8 the family moved to Creelman where she finished her education, completing Grade 10. She enjoyed school and loved to read and particularly excelled at spelling. She won many spelling bees during her school years. Georgina had aspirations for higher education. She wanted to take classes to become a stenographer but there was no extra money for education so that was one dream that had to be put on a shelf. When Georgina was in her early 30s she moved to Edmonton and worked for a while at the airport, where she cleaned airplanes. She worked and roomed with her good friend Emma Banting. She enjoyed the city and her work, but there was one thing that bothered her about the job which was the waste of the food. She explained that all the leftover food at the end of a flight was discarded. Unopened packages and all. Georgina was both generous and thrifty with food at the same time. There was always plenty to go around at her table, yet she was raised to believe that waste was not necessary or tolerated and she practised this all her life. The loss of the Gallinger home to a fire had at least one wonderful outcome. Georgina and Don’s families knew one another and when the Quinn’s heard news of the fire, they came down with items to help out with restocking another home. Apparently there was still a little heat left from the fire when they came to call, at least enough to kindle a romance between Don and Georgina that lasted a lifetime. They were married on December 7, 1960 at the Weyburn Anglican Church with Reverend Badham officiating. They lived with Don’s parents until the fall of 1961, before moving to Estevan where Don worked with his brother Armond in the oilfield. In the spring of 1962 they moved to the Alec Gordon farm, a ½ mile south of the Gallinger farm where their two boys were born. Clifford on October 3, 1963 and Gordon on September 27, 1965. Their next move was to the home farm on November 4, 1965, after Don’s parents, Clifford and Minnie moved into Weyburn to retire. Georgina and Don lived and worked side by side on their farm for over 40 years. They raised cattle and grain, had chickens, eggs, pigs and horses. There was a little butcher shop and a large garden. Everything was preserved and stored in sealers and jars, freezers were always full. Their lives were very busy and the next job was always waiting for them. I’m sure everyone remembers her fantastic potato salad and mashed potatoes at numerous family gatherings. Don and Georgina were seldom apart and always made time for their family. Extended family was always welcome to the farm as well, brothers, sisters, in-laws, nieces and nephews all spent time working and/or playing at their farm. They moved to Weyburn in 2001 where they built a beautiful new house for their retirement. Twelve happy years were spent there, with visits from grandchildren friends and family, while Don continued to help at the farm. After Don’s passing in March of 2012, Georgina continued to live at home. Georgina endured many hardships in her life but she faced her hardest battle with a grace and courage that was inspiring to her family. She was hospitalized and diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer in late August. With great determination she endured her therapy and was able to return to her home for a few weeks before being hospitalized for the last time on Thanksgiving Day. During the last two weeks of her life she never complained and always thanked you for coming to visit. All the nurses commented on what a sweet lady she was. The most important thing in Georgina’s life was her family. She was proud of her boys and her love for them showed when she talked about them. They returned that love and were always attentive to her every need. She was equally proud of her four grandchildren and it was with great love and joy that she welcomed her great grandson, Walker James Gallinger to the family. Georgina had this calming way about her whenever one was in her presence........you could not help but notice and be affected by her calm, caring and gentle demeanor. If her family was the light, Georgina, was the power source behind them that kept them lit. She was always on an even keel, always steady, always reliable. When you were in the field you knew lunch would be there at 12 and it was, day in, day out. She was thoughtful of others and their feelings, she was kind, warm, and loving. Her passing leaves a great void in the lives of her family and all that knew her. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. Georgina is survived by her son, Cliff (Marion) of Griffin, and their family, Robin (Dave), Ryan, Tyler (Nicole), Kayla and great grandson, Walker; son, Gord (Colleen) of Griffin; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lil Quinn of Lethbridge, AB, Armond (Betty) Gallinger of Weyburn, Elaine Phillips of Weyburn, Elda Kater of Weyburn, Helen (Norman) Eggum of Weyburn, Jean Gallinger of Regina, Edi (Lorne) Ferguson of Redcliff, AB and Viola Gallinger of Carlyle, as well as many nieces, nephews and good friends. Visitation was held on Sunday, November 3 from 7:00 to 9:00PM at Fletcher Funeral Chapel and a Funeral Service was held on Monday, November 4 from Grace United Church with Reverend M. Barnabas officiating. Interment took place at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn. Donations in memory of Georgina may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Palliative Care Room at Weyburn General Hospital.