Obituary of MERLINE ALTINA WILLIAMS

IN LOVING MEMORY….

Merline Altina Williams peacefully went home in the loving arms of the lord on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 12:31pm at the age of 91, surrounded by family and friends at the Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was a beloved and devoted mother, grand-mother, great grand-mother, sister, auntie, friend and cousin.

Merline will be dearly missed, God was kind and gracious to her she left a great legacy, children- Harold, Michael (Jennifer), Sharon (Peter), Janet, Sandra, Adored sister of, Josephine, Vincent, Lovel, Author, Roderick (Herfa) and Vera, her numerous nieces and nephews all over the world, England, United States, Jamaica and Canada.  Fifteen Grandchildren - Georgia (Paul), Farrah, Christopher, Darcy, Phillitia, Omar, Michael Jr., Sheldon, Adam, Shankar, Zachary, Brittney, Braedan, Amar and Gabriel. Fifteen Great Grand – Dejanique, Jory, Nizan, Tyrae, Emanuel, Daytona, Ali, Casai-Omari, Acacia, Shelby, Malachi, Asher, Kalayah, Sofaida, and Tyce.

She was predeceased by her parents Vincent (91) and Hilda (102) Williams, her sister Dorrit, her children Precious, George and Marie.

Merline was born in St. Mary, Jamaica, W.I. on November 21, 1927.  Merline came to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on May 19, 1979, with her children and she raised them in St. Vital, MB.  Her legacy is her love for her family nothing was more important to Merline than her family. When she spoke about them, her face would light up the room! Merline was indeed a proud mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  As a member of the New Anointing Christian Fellowship, she made sure that her children were raised with the love of Jesus Christ and her family knew the love she had for them always. 

She was an entrepreneur in Jamaica and after moving to Canada, she worked at the Health Sciences Centre where she retired, as a Health Care Aid.  She looked forward to going to work and she was a hard worker who never complained about anything. Merline was loved by the staff and the patients looked forward to seeing her infectious smile and hearing words of encouragement. 

Merline enjoyed baking, cooking, singing and gardening, she took great pride in her flowers and vegetable garden.  Her passion was spending time cooking her family’s favourite Jamaican dishes and she was known for baking the all so scrumptious Jamaican Christmas black cake.

Merline spent her life serving the Lord.   Her life was exceptional! not only raising her children, but she embraced and raised several nieces, nephews and family friends, to whom she opened her home, each one was welcome and would give a shirt off her back making sure that everyone had food, clothing and shelter. She was a giver and cared for all that she knew. She had an endearing, genuine, intelligent, truthful personality and made you laugh with her witty jokes.

She was a protector and a prayer warrior for her family and often counseled and mentored each of her children instilling in them the values of depending on the Lord.  Merline always had a listening ear and would take on any projects that came her way, she was a true woman of Valor!  

In everyone’s eyes she was a world changer, her strength guides us through our most difficult days and her actions brought light to our dreams.

Special thanks to the Doctors, Nurses and Staff on the Geriatric Ward fourth floor at the Victoria General Hospital for their exceptional care.

On behalf of the family, we would like to thank you for your words of support, encouragement, kindness and prayers during this difficult time. Thank you for joining us in the celebration of Merline’s life in Christ.

God Bless you all!

Celebration of life will be held on Friday, February 15, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at New Anointing Christian Fellowship, 1425 Manitoba Avenue, with viewing commencing at 9:00 a.m.  Interment to follow in St. Vital Cemetery.