Peacefully, on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007 at the Riverside Health Centre in Rainy River, Ont., Inez M. Gates (nee Mansfield), formerly of Sleeman, Ont., passed away at the age of 82.
Inez was born July 14, 1925 in Dauphin, Man. to the late Walter and Inez (Giles) Mansfield. She later moved to Sleeman, where she met Harold Milne. They married and raised their 11 children on the farm along the Rainy River.
Inez loved the farm life, but often spoke of working at Shady Roost, a resort on the lake at Nestor Falls, Ont.
Later in life, Harold and Inez parted and Inez moved into Rainy River, where she continued her career at Arctic Cat Enterprises (sewing factory), where she became supervisor. She was very proud of her accomplishments at the factory.
She then met Einar Anderson and they married and eventually moved to Bergland, Ont., which became her home. She and Einar had a successful family-run minnow business. She loved to “chit chat” with the tourists and put her “gift of gab” to good use.
Einar encouraged Inez’s love for the outdoors, whether it was hunting, gardening, or picking blueberries, spending most of their time together outside.
After Einar passed away, Inez stayed at her home in Bergland until she married Ray Gates. They moved to the home they have now. She continued to enjoy her gardening and birds with Ray.
Inez enjoyed spending time with her family and she was never too busy to plan a family get-together. She had the ability to enjoy the important things in life, like family and friends. She always had an open ear and never judged anyone. She was a friend to all.
The one thing she carried throughout her whole life, and she will be remembered for, is her love for music. She learned to play the fiddle at the age of five and often told the story that there wasn’t an instrument she couldn’t play or a song she wouldn’t sing.
Inez and Ray spent many an hour singing and reminiscing. Ray was her Guardian Angel and supported her through the years as she dealt with her depleting health, and now she is a Guardian Angel to Ray and all of us.
Inez will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Ray; son, Melvin (Lorraine) Milne; daughters, Elsie (Matt) Gerula, June Holmes, Alice (John) Blixt, Linda (Morgan) Stewart, Susan (Ed) St. Pierre, Connie (Allan) Stewart, Mary Ann (William) Olson, and Inez Joy Milne; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; sister, Charity Scott; and many nieces and nephews.
Inez was predeceased by her parents; son, Harold Jr.; daughter, Kathleen; husband, Einar Anderson; brother, Phillip; and sisters, Mary, Edna, and Betty.
As per Inez’s wishes, no funeral service will take place. Family and friends gathered at her residence on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007 to celebrate Inez’s life.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to the Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc., P.0. Box 236, Rainy River, Ont., P0W 1L0.
Online condolences may be left at www.northridgefuneralhome.com
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