Obituary of VIOLET VERNESE PUCKERIN

VIOLET VERNESE PUCKERIN Peacefully at the age of 82, Vernese Puckerin died on April 03, 2012 at The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre in Winnipeg. Born in Barbados on January 12, 1930 and predeceased by her mother Eunice Watson in 1984, Vernese is survived by her sister Velda Craig, her nieces and nephew Juliette Taylor, Julianne Craig, Hugo Craig (Lisa), Gail Craig-Archer (Craig) and their children Blair, Christopher and Ryan, all of Barbados. Vernese is also survived by her cousin Joyce (Winnipeg), her cousins Joan and Wendy (Toronto), Phyllis and Collin (Ottawa), Gloria and Brenda (Barbados) and all their families. Vernese was educated at St. Philip Primary, Church Village, Barbados and then was employed on the island prior to immigrating to Canada in 1959. Vernese arrived in Winnipeg in 1959 to join the Leach family as their beloved housekeeper. She cared for and was loved by 5 generations of Leaches over 50 years, including Frances and Searle, their children Gus (Gail), Larry (Dale), Gil (deceased), Norm (Johanne), Linda (Mike Radcliffe) and Judy Purkis, their grandchildren/ spouses and great-grandchildren. The Leach family members have special memories of this selfless, caring woman who championed the happiness of five generations. She will be remembered by all their friends for her outstanding and always-available chocolate chip cookies! Vernese also leaves countless friends in Winnipeg, across Canada, Barbados and many countries around the world. In particular, she leaves her closest friend Helen Liverpool, her husband Fixroyed and their family. For many years, Vernese was involved with the Caribbean Seniors of Manitoba and also The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Winnipeg. She was a board member of Harambee Housing Cooperative Ltd. Vernese was a devoted Christian throughout her life, initially a member of St. Philip Parish Church in Barbados and then St. George’s Church Crescentwood (Winnipeg). She sang heartily each week during the winter months in the choir of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Delray Beach Florida, and then was a parishioner of All Saints’ Anglican Church, Winnipeg. Her faith was pivotal to her, and she lived each day based on her strong Christian beliefs and principles. Vernese’s immediate and extended families thank the Simkin Centre and the Dialysis Unit of the Health Sciences Centre for their compassionate care of Vernese over the past two years. Vernese was always aware of, and very grateful for, the loving care she received from their nurses, pastoral staff and health care aides. In addition, we give our appreciation to Shirley Melanson and Susan Sahan for their special attention to Vernese. A service will be held to honour Vernese’s life on Wednesday April 11th at 2:00 p.m. at All Saints’ Anglican Church, NW Broadway and Osborne, Winnipeg. A Memorial Service will be held in Barbados at St. Philip Parish Church at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following: Horace Patterson Foundation Inc, (P.O. Box 34088, 7 Killarney, Winnipeg MB R3T 5T5), All Saints’ Anglican Church (175 Colony St, Winnipeg MB R3C 1W2) or The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre (1 Falcon Ridge Drive, Winnipeg MB R3Y 1V9).