(Bessie) Mabel Elizabeth Downey

On Saturday, February 6, 2010 our Mother, Grandmother, and Great grandmother Bessie passed away at the Melita Personal Care Home.

She was born in Waskada on February 14,1918 to George and Alice (Green) Bambridge the 9th of 14 children.

Growing up in a large family in times that were extremely challenging meant learning to share and do without some desired material things while family love, closeness, friends and shared good and bad times made for a good life.

As a young girl her years of education were cut short by the need to generate a livelihood. Work was found in many homes in Waskada, Coulter, Shoal Lake, and Killarney. Fun was had by attending area dances. The Charleston was Bessie''s favourite, followed by the Military Schottishe and the Waltz.

In 1938 she returned to Coulter to marry Wallace Downey. Their first home was at the Scheel place 1/2 mile north of the Canadian/US border. One winter was so cold she said she would go to bed to keep warm while Wallace and her brother Bert played checkers with their mitts on and kept wood in the stove.

Over the years Mother and Dad''s home was always open to anyone needing a place to stay , siblings, nieces, nephews ,grandpa Bambridge and a boarding place for teachers. Young neighbor girls were hired to help with household and farm chores, all were treated as family. An extra plate was always available for anyone who dropped in and family knew the F.H.B. and M.I.K. rules.(family hold back and more in kitchen). Community was important to Bessie and she gave generously of her time to the Coulter United Church, UCW, 4H, quilting bees, fowl suppers, sports days and all worthwhile causes including her wedding cake decorating skills.

In 1968 Wallace and Bessie semi-retired to Melita and took up work at the Auction Mart. Bessie also put her cooking skills to work at the Melita Inn as their pastry chef. Her interest in sewing brought a stint of working with Ruth Townsend in the Fabric Centre. Remodeling and painting were regular household activities. Crokinole, scrabble, canasta, lawn shuffleboard and any activity that brought people together was fun for Bessie.

A trip to England with her sister Rene to meet their oldest brother George as well as trips to Seattle, Victoria and Arizona were highlights. She was always on call to care for the grandchildren especially Ryan, Marla and Kendall who lived in the district.

Wallace passed away in 1994, so in 1995 Bessie took up residence at the Melita Lodge where she and aunt Edie had the benefit of a close relationship, including both receiving life memberships in the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba and usual twice daily trips to the Melita Inn for coffee with Rene and " the girls" until she could no longer drive after about 75 years of practice.

After celebrating her 90th birthday in 2008 at the Melita Lodge, Bessie moved to the Deloraine PCH for a period of time before returning to Melita and her home in the Melita PCH.

Mourning her passing and celebrating her life are her 4 children: Ray (Myrna), Jim (Linda), Betty (Stuart) Miller, and Marina (Herb) Dell; 8 grandchildren: Dean (Matte) Downey, Darin (Shawna) Downey, Ryan (Dana) Downey, Marla Miller, Kendall (Mike) Lowery, Chad (Rina) Dell, Orrin (Kathy) Dell, and Garrett (Lindsay) Dell; 8 great-grandchildren: Jordan Downey, Adyson & Ardan Downey, Seth Miller, Keaton & Griffin Lowery, and Carter & Sidney Dell; sister Rene Downey; brother Tom Bambridge; sister-in-law Mickey Bambridge; many nieces and nephews.

The family most sincerely thanks the staff, volunteers, visitors, and residents of the Deloraine and Melita PCH for their comfort and loving care given to our mother while her health was declining.

A service to celebrate Bessie''s life was held at the Victoria United Church, Melita, MB. on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 2:00pm. Reverend Jeri Bjornson and Reverend Mark Satterly officiated, with interment at the Coultervale Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Melita & Area Health Committee c/o Town of Melita Box 364 Melita, MB. R0M 1L0 or to the charity of your choice.

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