Obituary of Vera Vivian Bartley

BARTLEY - Mrs. Vera Vivian, late of Canwood, passed away peacefully, with family by her side, at Whispering Pines Place on February 26, 2011 at the age of 83. The funeral service was held at the Elk's Community Hall in Canwood on Friday, March 4 at 1:00 pm with Pastor Glenn Blazosek as officiant. Vera is survived by three sons, Garry (Gloria Wall) Bartley of Saskatoon, David (Carmen) Bartley of Canwood, Phillip (Denise) Bartley of Buffalo Narrows and one daughter Regena (Darrell) Liski of Saskatoon. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren are: Dean (Jana) Bartley and their sons Jaiden and Rylan of The Pas Manitoba, Carmellie (Les) Archer and their daughters Hillary and Erica of Shellbrook, Len (Cherise) Bartley and their daughters Hana and Brenna of Hughenden, Alberta, Travis (Melanie) Bartley of Buffalo Narrows, Geraldine (Clarence Petit) Eldridge of Buffalo Narrows and their daughters Keirstin and Kerissa, Michelle (Andrew) Maxin and their children Eric and Katie of Saskatoon, Lewis, Anson, and Alexis Liski of Saskatoon. Her brothers and sisters are: Roy McGinnis of Thompson Manitoba, Ada (Vern) Campbell of Canwood, Pat (Gordon) Bartley of Canwood, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Philip and Sarah McGinnis, infant brother Sydney McGinnis, brother Jim McGinnis of Winnipeg, and sister Ethel Bergman of Rosthern. Memorial donations may be made to the Whispering Pines Place Activity Department or to the Canwood North Cemetery. Internment was in the Legion Section, Canwood North Cemetery. Vera was born August 16, 1927 in Mervin, Saskatchewan, as they lived on a mixed farm in the Glaslyn district. Her father also ran a horse-drawn grader in the summer down an 8-9 miles stretch of the #4 highway. In the spring of 1938, her family relocated by covered wagon to Grassland, Alberta. Vera remembered there being snow and crocuses on the wagon trail at the same time. The trails were so boggy and poor in spots that it took 4 horses to pull a single wagon through. Her father worked on road construction in the Grassland area and this is the first time that her and two of her brothers were able to get to school even though they walked about 3 miles to get there. In 1942 when WW II worsened Vera's father was called to the veteran's guard to guard prisoners and Vera's mother, in poor health wished to return to her family in Manitoba. There, Vera was expected to stay home and help with her mother and the smaller children and could not go back to school. This left her heartbroken and with only a Grade 6 education. She had loved her years going to school. In 1945 Vera left home to pursue a career in hairdressing. She first started an apprenticeship program in Roblin, MB, and then on to Winnipeg to write her government exam and complete her practical test. She passed with flying colors. It was in Winnipeg while working on her first job that she met her husband, Roy Bartley. They were married on January 18, 1946. They left Winnipeg soon after via Regina to apply for Veteran's Land that Roy was entitled to after 6 years service in the Armed Forces training and during WW II. They eventually received � section in the Canwood area that they had to repay the government for in crop share for years to come. Roy worked in the bush and on many other odd jobs in the winters in order to break and work the land and try to build their farm. Roy and Vera remained on the farm raising their family until 1970 when they rented out their land and moved to Loreburn where Roy worked for Parks and Natural Resources. In 1980, Roy and Vera returned to the farm and retired. They enjoyed renovating and upgrading their farmhouse and living in Canwood until June, 1997 when a tornado ripped through their yard destroying many of their out buildings and uprooting much of what they had built. Soon after, they moved into the town of Canwood to Senior's housing, as Roy had taken ill as well. Vera remained living in her home there until further care was needed and she entered the homecare system, eventually getting residency at Whispering Pines Place in Canwood. Vera was always very involved in the Canwood United Church and helped out with the Canwood Ladies Legion Auxiliary as much as she could. She will be fondly remembered for her friendliness and generosity and the numerous quilts that remain in the hands of loved ones and friends.