| GIRVAN - Ethel Marie Girvan passed away at the Coronation Health Care Complex on September 20, 2004 at the age of 92 years. Ethel was the second daughter of William and Lillian Girvan. She was born on the homestead in the Bonny Doone district (now Brownfield) on May 12, 1912. She took her schooling at the Bonny Doone school and lived and worked on the farm most of her life. Ethel was a quiet person by nature and she loved to work in the garden, keeping it weed free and watching it grow. She also loved working with the farm and livestock, also making sure there was always plenty of wood split in the house for the stoves. She loved the outdoor farm life; her pastime was gathering rocks of different shapes and colours. She wasn’t a person to join a lot of social functions, but could out-dance anyone and loved to teach it. Ethel’s father passed away in 1930. After his passing Ethel and her mom hired Alex Wylie to help run the farm until his passing in May of 1957. In December of 1956 Ethel and her mom moved in with her sister Gladys and brother-in-law Gabe Neyrinck at Brownfield and rented out their farm. In September of 1959 Ethel started working for Jo and Elton Bargholz, taking care of their four boys. She worked for them for over 12 years, walking the two miles from Brownfield to their place, in all kinds of weather. Gladys and Ethel’s mother passed away in January 1972. Ethel stayed on with Gladys and Gabe helping out on their farm. After Gabe’s passing in 1977, Gladys and Ethel stayed on the farm until August 1984, when they moved into the Lindsay Apartments in Coronation until 1996. From there they moved to Assisted Living at the Coronation Health Care Centre where she resided until her passing on September 20, 2004. Ethel was predeceased by her father William on August 21, 1930, her mother Lillian on January 31, 1972, brother in law Gabe Neyrinck on July 23, 1977, nephews Roy Neyrinck on June 29, 1999 and Lyell Neyrinck on August 12, 2002. She leaves to mourn her sister Gladys Neyrinck of Coronation, niece Kathleen Motiuk of Calgary, nephew Francis Neyrinck of Balzac; Lyell’s wife Janice Neyrinck of Edmonton, Roy’s companion Marie of Leduc; 13 great nieces and nephews, 18 great great nieces and nephews and seven great great great nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held in the Brownfield Baptist Church, Brownfield, Alberta on Saturday, September 25, 2004 at 2 p.m. with Pastor Chuck French officiating. A tribute was given by Lynn Ohlmann. Eleanor Huber played the piano for the congregational hymns “How Great Thou Art” and “Abide With Me.” A duet “In the Garden” was sung by Pastor Chuck French and Elmer Huber. Private family interment took place at Fairfield Cemetery with great great nephew Aaron Neyrinck playing “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. Ethel was laid to rest beside her father William. Active pallbearers were Rob Neyrinck, Barry Neyrinck, Perry Neyrinck, Garry Motiuk, Barry Motiuk and Terry Chapman. Honorary pallbearers were “All of Ethel’s Family and Friends.” Following the interment service family and friends gathered in the Brownfield Baptist Church for a time of fellowship and refreshments served by the Brownfield Baptist Church Ladies. Memorial donations in Ethel’s memory may be made to the Coronation Health Care Centre, to the Hill Rom Bed Project. Parkview Funeral Chapels (1985) Ltd. entrusted with the care and arrangements. For further information please call 404-578-3777. |