Wilma Jean Wingate (James) Wark

In Loving Memory of 
Wilma Jean 
Wingate Wark
(nee James)
age 91
beloved wife of Graham Wark
mom to Irene, Brad and Karen

Died
November 29, 2017
Boyne Lodge Personal Care Home
Carman, Manitoba 

In accordance with Wilma’s wishes 
cremation has taken place and 
interment will take place 
at a later date.

Obituary

Wilma Jean Wingate Wark, nee James, passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at Boyne Lodge Personal Care Home, Carman, MB.  
Mom was born on March 25, 1926 to Alexander James and Agnes Grace Dalrymple in Staffa, Ontario.  While growing up in the 30's and 40's was a difficult time, there were many wonderful things that Mom cherished such as family gatherings, maple syrup, growing an abundance of fruit, the beautiful trees and many cousins and friends.  A little piece of Mom's heart was always "back home" in Ontario and she faithfully kept in contact with her family and friends over the years, mostly through her long lovely letters.
In 1958, Mom became pen pals with a young fellow in Manitoba, by the name of Graham.  After many letters were written back and forth, the young man ventured out to Staffa to meet Mom, and their budding relationship was cemented. On October 10, 1959, Mom and Dad married at Cromarty Presbyterian Church in the company of many family and friends.  They travelled back to Manitoba where they would begin their life together on the farm.
The early years were spent building a mixed farm.  Mom worked alongside Dad, milking, harvesting, tending the animals, maintaining a large garden, canning, baking and doing handiwork including quilting and tatting.  Children were very much desired by Mom and Dad and Irene was born in September 1961. Brad was adopted in 1965 and Karen was adopted in 1970.  Clearly it was important to have a family as Mom and Dad were in their 40's when they added Brad and Karen to their family.
In 1981, the farm was sold and they "retired" to Killarney.    Mom insisted that Dad keep busy and so he opened up a small repair business and a custom lawn mowing business.  Mom kept herself equally busy with assisting with the mowing, a garden that rivalled the size of the farm garden and quilting and her other handiwork.  Mom quickly became known as the "potatoe lady" in Killarney as she sold fresh potatoes and other produce from her garden.  Gardening was truly a happy place for Mom, both her produce and flower gardens.
The grandchildren started coming along in the 80's and 90's and their visits were a highlight for Mom.  The older grandchildren would stay with Grandma and Grandpa and had a wonderful time helping Grandma around the house and yard.  Grandma always had a toy box and lots of homemade cookies for them.
In the late 1990's, Mom and Dad had a second retirement and moved to the Johnston apartments.  Mom still gardened for a few more years, until the place was sold.  In the apartment, there was still room to set up the quilting frames and there was always an abundance of house plants. Mom still canned fruits and froze vegetables and did all her own baking into her 80's.  
In 2008, we moved Mom into the Bayside Personal Care home as she needed more care than Dad could provide.  Dementia was slowly setting in, making it difficult for Mom to continue her many activities.  At Bayside, Mom had a view out to the garden and still enjoyed caring for the plants in the courtyard.  Dad visited her every day.
In 2013, we moved Mom and Dad to Carman, MB, with Mom in the Boyne Lodge personal care home and Dad in the adjoining apartments.  It was too much for Dad to drive to see Mom every day, so this move made it easier for them to be together and brought them closer to Irene and Karen.
While the dementia took its toll on Mom in recent years, in some ways she was freed from the many things that had bothered her.  While she couldn't always convey her thoughts in words, her smile and the twinkle in her eye, and constant joking and playing with Dad let us know that she was content and well cared for.  
What else can we tell you about Mom?  Green was her favourite colour, did you ever notice that all of our houses were painted green and most of her clothing was green?  She drank milk at every meal and never broke a bone.  She didn't like hot drinks or "hot" words.  While she was of Scottish heritage and didn't like to spend money unnecessarily, she was incredibly fair and made sure that any presents for the kids were of equal value.  She always wore a dress or skirt to church and showed us the importance of supporting the church and our community through volunteer work.  Family was most important and they were her pride and joy.  
Mom is deeply mourned by her husband of 58 years, Graham.  A large hole in our family is also felt by daughter Irene Dueck and her 5 children and grandchildren, Justina & Jeff Christopherson (Clay & Ty), Raymond Jr. & Joanne Dueck (Jeremy, Ryan, Vanessa & Jayden), Levi & Kayla Dueck, Emily Dueck and Robert Dueck; son Brad Wark & wife Priscilla and their children, Kayla, Kyra, Kiyana and Elliot; and daughter Karen & Kent Woloschuk and son Craig.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Alex and Grace James, brother Philip James and son-in-law, Raymond Dueck.
In accordance with Mom's wishes, cremation has taken place with a private family interment at Killarney cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society Manitoba or Boyne Lodge Personal Care Home in Carman, MB.
The family is extremely grateful for the compassionate care provided to Mom by both Bayside and Boyne Lodge personal care homes.  

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