SANDRA JILL BYRNES

Sandra Jill Byrnes (nee Blom) passed awat peacefully at home, at the age of 81, on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016.
Sandra was predeceased by her loving husband, Michael; her parents, Carl and Mildred Blom (nee Ekeberg); brother, Al; sister, Gail Mayerchak; and sister-in-law, Patsy Venables.
To these people and others, Sandra always gave her unconditional support and love.
Sandra will be lovingly remembered by her sister, Joan Murray; nieces, Debbie Blom (brother, Al) Sherri Smart (sister, Gail), Sandra Piccinato, Belinda Chin Pang, and Patricia Escuyos (sister, Joan); as well as great-nieces and nephews, Christopher, Samantha, Josh (Sherri), Tyson and Gillian (Sandra), Tyler (Belinda), and Cody and Riley (Patricia), who all loved her very much.
She also will be sadly missed by her sisters-in-law, Ramona Barsy, Jenny McDonald, and Marquerite Larocque; brothers-in-law, Pat and Dick Byrnes; and her adopted grandchildren, Jeremie, Daniel, Mario, Sylvie, and Christianne and their children, Aimee, Celeste, Emelie, and Jayden.
Sandra also will be missed by many loyal and loving friends.
Sandra was born Dec.12, 1934 in Minneapolis, Mn. but her family later moved to a farm in Baudette, Mn. When her brother went to war, she and her sisters took over many of the farm chores, such as milking cows and driving a team of horses or a tractor.
She attended a country school nearby and then high school in Baudette, and from there a teachers’ college in North Dakota. Upon graduation, she taught all eight grades in a German community not far from the college.
She would walk to school or ride a horse and spoke no German, which led to some interesting times.
Sandra married Mike Byrnes in 1955 and moved to Canada in 1956. They lived in Rainy River, Atikokan, and Fort Frances, Ont., where she worked for Canada Post.
Sandra also worked in Regina, Sask., as well as in Churchill, Man. and Winnipeg, Man., where she worked for The Hudson’s Bay Company.
Sandra became a member of the Catholic Church in 1958 and then joined the Catholic Women’s League of Canada. Sandra’s life was enriched as a 58-year member of the C.W.L. and her devotion manifested in her service as president of her parish council of St. Joseph the Worker, president of the St. Boniface Diocesan Council, and president of the Manitoba Provincial Council.
In 2005, Sandra was made a Life Member in the C.W.L.
For more than 20 years, Sandra served on the St. Boniface English Council of Development and Peace, and was a part of the Manitoba Aboriginal Rights Coalition (MARC) for over 10 years.
Sandra also loved her garden (canning the fruits of her labours), reading, and doing crafts was her specialty. As well, she enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and needlework.
Sandra is eternally grateful to her C.W.L. sisters of St. Joseph the Worker Council for their love and support; and for the friendship of C.W.L. members and friends across Canada.
In keeping with Sandra’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial mass will be held Friday, Nov. 18, 2016 at 10 a.m. in St. Emile Roman Catholic Church, 556 St. Anne’s Road, Winnipeg.
In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, in memoriam gifts may be made to IKWE WIDDJIITIWIN (Indigenous Women’s Shelter), P.O. Box 1056, Winnipeg, Man., R3C 2X4, CancerCare Manitoba, or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.