Mary Genevieve Kemp

On Thursday, March 10, 2016, with family at her side, Genevieve passed away at the age of 104 years. Gen was born at Winnipeg Maternity Hospital, now known as Misericordia Hospital, on January 26, 1912, the first born child of Joseph Frederick Kemp and his wife Margaret Ann Macdonald. She was predeceased by her two sisters Isabel Catherine and Marguerite Loretta (Peggy). Left to remember and mourn her passing are her many cousins and anyone fortunate enough to have known her.

Genevieve’s early life on Lipton Street was filled with laughter and family; much of the extended Macdonald clan had moved to Winnipeg from Glengarry County, Ontario. However, when Gen was just 6, an unfortunate shadow crossed all their lives when her beloved mother was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Margaret died two years later leaving father Fred to raise the three little girls.

Genevieve attended St. Edward’s Parish School and, at the time of her death, was the oldest living graduate of St. Mary’s Academy. She joined the federal civil service in a full time position with the Army’s Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps during the war and transferred to the Family Allowances Branch after the war. She was skilled at her work and won a national award for speed and accuracy in shorthand and typing. She was also a long time member of the Catholic Women’s League.

Throughout her life Gen was a traveler, whether on ice skates or roller skates, by bicycle, train, airplane, or on foot. She spent many happy hours at the Winnipeg Roller Rink, ice skating at the Sherburne Rink and evenings at the Grand Beach Dance Pavilion after a ride on the Moonlight Express train, not to mention the many trips around Canada and the globe. But she will always be remembered as a walker because of the daily habit she kept up regardless of the weather. It was not until her last few months that she finally limited her walks to the indoors. Genevieve was a person of faith and courage, which she demonstrated throughout a life that saw more changes than most of us can image.

In her 100th year, Gen’s life came full circle with her return to the institution where her life began. The family would like to thank all the staff at Misericordia Place who cared for Gen in these last years and who were repaid, in turn, by her humor, grace and humility.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 31, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church, 510 River Ave, preceded by a viewing at 10:00 and followed by a reception.

If friends so desire, donations in Genevieve’s memory may be made to Operation Eyesight (Calgary, AB), Misericordia Foundation, or to the charity of your choice.