Obituary of ROSINA MARY LACEY

ROSINA MARY LACEY Peacefully, on Tuesday, March 27, 2012, Rose passed away at The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, at the age of 92 years. Rose is survived by her children, Robert (Teresa), Daryl (Irene), Ardith Leggat (Bill), Cheryl Lacey (Willie Spence), and Duane, 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn her passing, her sisters, Frances Knowlson and Eunice Neufeld (Harry), her brother, Edwin Benjamin (Marguerite), sister-in-law, Iris Benjamin, daughter-in-law, Judi Lacey, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Rose was predeceased by her husband Robert, and son Patrick, her brother, Douglas Benjamin, her sister, Doreen Rice, and recently by her brother-in-law, Mark Knowlson. The eldest child of Arthur and Levina Benjamin (nee McLean), Rose was born in Canora, SK on March 15, 1920 and was raised in Winnipeg. Family was the foundation for Rose and her 5 siblings. Through family Rose learned the importance of church, politics, business, art, music, history and family history. She attended Kelvin High School, followed by vocational training at Manitoba Commercial College and Dominion Business College. Rose met the love of her life, Robert Lacey, a sergeant in the R.C.A.F. while working at No.3 Wireless School. They married on June 6, 1942. The couple spent the next 18 years raising a growing family on air force bases across Canada. The sudden passing of her husband, Bob, in 1960, while stationed at C.F.B. Cold Lake, AB caused Rose; and her six children, to return to family and friends in Winnipeg. Rose settled her children into a home in St. James. Home based sales and a realtor’s license allowed Rose, to support, and to be with, her young family. She then made time to up-grade her business college skills in stenography and returned to her secretarial career, which included positions with Grace General Hospital, The University of Manitoba’s School of Nursing, and Deer Lodge Veterans Hospital. Rose retired from the federal civil service, in 1985, while working for the Department of National Defense. An active member of her community, Rose was for many years a member of the board of directors at Deer Lodge Community Club and a regular volunteer at Deer Lodge Centre, in St. James. She was a long standing member of the Winnipeg Rock and Mineral Club donating her time and talent as the editor of "The Rock Vein". Rose was well known in the Winnipeg gardening community. Her love of flowers; gardening; and people, led her to join many and various local and regional horticultural associations; high-lighted by her life-time membership with the St. James Horticultural Society and the Manitoba Lily Society. In accordance with her wishes cremation has taken place. Rose will be interred with her husband, Bob, in the military section of Brookside cemetery in a family service. The family wishes to thank the staff of The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg for the kind and thoughtful care Rose received as a resident. The family also wishes to thank all the caregivers who assisted Rose to remain so long in her own home. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire, donations may be made to The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg; the Heart and Stroke Foundation; or the C.N.I.B.