Alice Marie Edwards

Alice was born in Calgary in 1923 to John and Ada Carroll. She met a young Royal Canadian Air Force airman at a roller rink in Calgary and Alice and Arnold Robert (Bob) Edwards were married in 1942. With this, their journey as an air force family began, with postings across the country and the complexities of moving a growing family. Alice accepted that reality with grace and no small amount of courage, making many friends along the way.

Family was important to Alice, including her and Bob’s Calgary and Toronto relatives, with frequent visits to both cities as a family and on her own. She was a great mum, gramma, great-gramma, and great-great-gramma. She was an excellent cook and baker and enjoyed gathering with family and friends, a good card game (including bridge), crossword puzzles, and watching curling and Coronation Street. Alice was creative and loved working with her grandchildren on crafts. She often travelled with her sisters, June and Pauline, and the memories of their laughter still make us smile. Alice could engage in meaningful conversations with almost anyone, almost anywhere and was a good listener. She was kind and generous. She worked at many jobs over the years, and especially enjoyed her time at Canada Post. Alice was a dedicated volunteer, particularly at Saint John XXIII Roman Catholic Parish in Winnipeg, participating in the choir and the ladies group. Her faith was very important to her.

Alice was predeceased by her parents, husband, siblings, a number of in-laws, grandson Rob Edwards, and son-in-law Frank Kohli. She is survived by her children, Marjorie Kohli, Joanne (Gary) Newsham, John Edwards (Wendy), Cathy (Tom) Hayward, Marie Edwards, and Fran Edwards (Curt) and their families, and many in-laws and nieces and nephews. She was blessed with wonderful grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

We are grateful that Mum was able to stay in her home up until the last few days of her life, supported by family members, staff from Home Instead, especially Mary Rose, Pam, Marilyn, and Tabez, and provincial Home Care workers, especially Fanny. Thanks as well to Mum’s family physician, Dr. Raubenheimer, and the staff at the Grace Hospital.

Cremation has taken place, a private mass will be celebrated, and interment of ashes is planned for a later date.

If so desired, donations may be made to Harvest Manitoba Food Banks or the Winnipeg Grace Hospital Foundation in Alice’s memory.