Alice Grahame

June 25, 1929 – August 24, 2021

On August 24, 2021 Alice passed away peacefully at home, at the age of 92, and heaven has another Angel.

Mom is predeceased by her loving husband Lloyd George Grahame; parents Louis Donald McLeod and Georgina Anderson; her brother Ernest McLeod, sister Violet McLeod, twin brothers who passed away days after birth, and nephew Richard McSepheney. Mom is survived by her children Lloyd, Lawrie (Kellie), Jacqueline (Dennis) Maxted; grandchildren Heather and Steven Maxted; sisters Ida May Boland and Betty McSepheney; and nephews Allan McLeod and family, Billy McLeod and family, and niece Marilyn McSepheney and family.

Mom grew up in St. Peters along the Red River north of Selkirk with her mom, siblings, and grandmother Sophia Anderson (nee Bird). Mom’s many cousins lived all around them. Her father worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company and also trapped at Walker Lake. Mom’s childhood spanned the Depression and World War II. Despite that bad timing mom was an exceptionally happy, always smiling person. Mom said that while they didn’t have any money, they always had lots to eat living along the River with a giant garden.

At 16 as the War ended, Mom left the one room schoolhouse she attended and moved to Winnipeg where she lived with her sister Ida, and soon after got a job at Eatons. She worked under the big clock on the main floor which was a big meeting place in its day, and the perfect spot for her personality. She loved working there, loved meeting people, and stayed 47 years till 1993. In 1950, the year of the Big Flood, mom married our dad and they enjoyed 41 years of a very loving marriage before his passing in 1991.

Mom was always extremely social, and the kindest person and best friend anyone could have. Her smile and her laugh could light up a room. She loved being a mom, and she was a great mom. We lived on Warsaw and went to Earl Grey School, where mom volunteered in the library, with fund raising, and assisting at Camp Wannacomeback. She made us all read to her at lunch hours, and taught us to write on the kitchen chalkboard. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for us. She took us to Brownies and Cubs, and Jobies, and hockey and swimming and music lessons, and would even sit through music festivals where a hundred kids would play the same song! Along the way mom met our friend’s parents and they often became lifelong friends. Mom was always teaching us, encouraging us, being empathetic with everyone, and genuine. Mom was very talented. She was a really great cook and baker, prepared large dinners effortlessly, baked wedding cakes, pies, bread, and cheese biscuits, and kept a large garden and preserved food, jams, and jellies. Mom could also sew anything, and made shirts and pants and Halloween costumes for us all. As well Mom knit heavy Buffalo Wool sweaters for everyone in our family, which are treasured today. Mom always had an extra seat or two at her table, and welcomed countless friends and neighbours to her home with a smile, a laugh, and a hug. She was always one of the first to drop off food when a friend or neighbour was hurting, and the first to put on the tea and sit down for a good long talk when that was needed.

Mom could also be very tough, was very determined, stood up for herself always, and wasn’t at all shy about making her views known.

Mom loved to travel and travelled extensively. Our most memorable trip was in 1965, when mom and dad packed us into their 1959 Chevy Belair, and hauling a tent trailer, took us on a one month road trip to Vancouver, and then down the coast through the mountains to California and Disney Land. Visiting friends and family at each stop and often camping in their driveway. It was the trip of a lifetime for 3 kids under 11, as well as for our parents; and while it was done on a shoe string, it was priceless. Mom and Dad always instilled a belief that there was nothing we could not do, and that road trip somehow seemed to prove it.

In her 80’s mom’s dementia began to kick in. One day she said, “I forget some things, but I still have feelings.” Wise words to remember. Mom’s karma circled around to surround her with love, compassion, honour, and respect during her final four years in our home.

Our family would like to extend a huge thank you and special acknowledgement to her primary care givers Chrissie Gallo, Fazeica Gillis, and Naty Genzola who became mom’s friends, and with whom she enjoyed many daily activities, lots of laughs, and four happy years.

Mom had a giant heart and she used it everyday. In memory of Alice, and in lieu of flowers, please bestow a smile or an act of kindness on some one in need. Mom, may you now rest in peace.

Cremation has taken place. A graveside service for family and friends will be held on September 6th at 1PM at St. Clements Anglican Church Cemetery, Mapleton, south of Selkirk. Please bring a lawn chair if so desired.