Dear Uncle Bill, Don, Bev, Adam, Gillian and Claire,

We are so sory to hear about Aunt Elsie's passing.  She was, as the obituary describes, a lady with an adventurous spirit and worldly outlook.  She was well read and interested in current affairs and politics.   On one of my visits I remember her expressing real concern to me about our Canadian national debt and wondered how we were ever going to repay it!  That Scottish background  and using money wisely shone through in Aunt Elsie.

Aunt Elsie was our only aunt who lived far away.  She wrote well penned letters that were often circulated from our house to Grandpa's and Grandma's  to Aunt Helen's and to Aunt Marion's. I know that my Mom would read them over a few times and often would record some of the details.  Donna has some of Mom's papers where she wrote down Donald's awards and academic achievements so she would have them to refer to later on. 

When we were young, Aunt Elsie sent us presents at Christmas time.  She sometimes sent some of her hand knitted mitts or socks. Mom always used to say that Elsie was a very skilled at knitting.  On Christmas, Aunt Elsie sent me a small tin globe piggy bank that I still use for small change.  She would also send us a box of Pot of Gold chocolates in the mail that we would shake and shake and tear small bits of wrapping paper from to verify the contents.

Looking back, it was always exciting anticipating the arrival of Aunt Elsie and Uncle Bill and young Donald who drove all the way from the coast in their truck camper.  Aunt Elsie was truly a camper and traveller and this lasted well into her 80's!  Those visits  were events for us in the middle of the long hot prairie summer! On at least two occasions, we were impressed with the "toys" that they brought.  I remember the blow up rubber dingy that Uncle Bill gave us rides in around the shoreline of Crooked Lake and the moped Uncle Bill and Donald rode around the farm.  Uncle Bill puttered down the road to one of our sloughs and had a swim.  Our Dad then shared that there might be "the itch" in the slough water and maybe Uncle Bill should have a bath.  I can still hear Aunt Elsie exclaiming, "Oh dear, Bill you went swimming!"  It was a sort of "Oh my goodness, we're in trouble now" and a sort of "Oh Bill, you rascal!". 

There is no doubt, Aun Elsie was a loving and caring mother and grandmother.  The  pictures and letters she sent of Donald over the years kept us up to date about his accomplishments and travels.  She was so proud of him and later so proud of his very lovely and personable bride and three bright and beautiful grandchildren.  When Mom bought "the Sasktel long distance bundle", she would phone Aunt Elsie and get updates.  Mom used to share that she was impressed that Aunt Elsie could keep up to three grandchildren. No doubt, they helped keep her young and spending time with them brought her great joy!

I am thankful for the times that I stayed with Aunt Elsie and Uncle Bill.  They were always welcoming, kind and helpful a well as truly interested in knowing more about me and all our family. 

Dear Aunt Elsie will be missed.  May the many happy memories that she helped create bring all your family peace and comfort.

Love from,

Valerie, Greg, Erin and Mark.