Tribute to the memory of Mary (Bertrand) Fitzgerald.

With sadness I am writing this tribute to the memory of my oldest sister, Mary, who passed way today. Words are difficult to put on paper. She was born in 1929 and raised in  Cut Knife, Saskatchewan, in a small farming community of Gallivan.  Educated in a one-room school, married to her childhood sweetheart, John Fitzgerald and raised a family of 10 children. Her family meant a lot to her. Her children, grandchildren and great grand children made her days memorable. 

Mary not only cared for her family she also cared for her siblings. We always had a place to stay during our education. 

Standing: Eileen Rutley, (2nd Cousin) and Mary Bertand Seated: Clare, Lorraine and Evelyn Bertrand 

John Fitzgerald, Mary, Evelyn, Clare, Lorraine and Arthur Bertrand 

It was pleasure to visit with her on her 90th birthday a few months ago. 

Connecting to Family by ZOOM

Season's Greetings Osoyoos BC 

Light Up The Lake 

When family live a distance apart and you wish to be together during the Holiday Season ZOOM comes in handy 

This year I sent out a message to my children and their families to join my on a ZOOM call to visit. I am limited to 30 minute free-time.  

In order to make this special call fun and get everyone to have a chance to say something I propose 2 questions:

1 What rewarding personal experience did you have during the past year?  

2 What goals have you set for 2020? 

By the time everyone was connected we were left with only 15 minutes. The answers gave each an update on what they were doing. 

Here are my Hi-lights  

Participating at Osoyoos Women's Network Events

Joining Weight Watcher and reaching my Goal Weight. 

Receiving a certificate in Assess BARS 

Participating in the Nk'Mip RV Snowbird Craft Sale. 

Promoting Nikken and my Autobiography 

I continue to lead the Aqua-size session 

and take walks to keep my fitness level up. 

Randal and I will join the other Snowbirds for a Christmas supper 

Mary 90th Birthday Celebrations.

Over 40 members of Mary Fitzgerald's family consisting of her children, grandchildren,great-grandchildren 

and four some of her siblings 

gathered in Surrey  BC to celebrate her 90th birthday. 

Mary Anita (Bertrand) Fitzgerald 

Siblings Arthur Bertrand,  Evelyn Pulver, Mary Fitzgerald, Lorraine Martin David Bertrand 

Mary with Great-grand-sons, Clark, Noland and Oswald. 

Access Foundation

Lynne Hilderman with Janet Harker and Facilitator Chelsey Dalzell

Lynne, Lorraine Janet 

A Big Step for Kaney

I was very pleased to attend my first-born-granddaughter, Kaney Hilderman's, convocation from the University of Calgary on November 15.  She is on her way to bigger things. Her working title is Environmental Scientist. 

Lynne, Kaney, Lorraine 

Lynne Kaney Kerry 

Lynne Kerry Lexi 

Lexi 

Reaching My Goal

Last March I made a decision to continue on my journey of maintaining and improving my health. I joined a local Weight Watchers, or otherwise know as, Wellness that Works. This group of interested people who chose to go on their journey to do the same met every Tuesday morning in Osoyoos BC. After diligently following the WW program I got to my goal weight. With doing this I received my Life Membership.

Anne Marie   Lorraine    Jill

Leading the group was Jill Zimmerman along with her Co-Worker, Anne Marie. The support given to everyone was great and encouraging. Thank you Jill and Anne Marie! 

Make a Decision to set a goal that feels good; 

Put your Attention on that feeling and  goal;

Follow through with action; 

Never give up on your goal; 

Be Grateful and Rejoice with the outcome. 

Turning A Negative into A Positive

When you find yourself making an unwise decision rather getting all stressed out about it turn it into an adventure. 

I booked a return flight from Penticton BC to Toronto. I wanted to arrive in Toronto early on Friday. I my wisdom I choose a red-eye AC flight. Needless to say I did not get to sleep on the plain as I had planned.  I left Penticton at 8:00pm for Vancouver  where I caught the 10:30pm flight. Between the refreshments, mostly water, being offered during the night, the buzz of the passengers, plane hum, and being squeezed between two men, there was nowhere to rest my head. It turned out well as I talked to the men, when they were not sleeping, I arrived at the Pearson Airport at 5:30am. After a long walk through the airport I found the train to get me to the Marriott Toronto.  

Train 

Sky Walk from Union Station to Marriott 

On Sunday my return trip was most interesting! Mistakenly, the choice of the flight took me to Kitchener/Waterloo! I had to take VIA Rail from Union Station, downtown Toronto, to Kitchener. It was a 90 minute trip. From the station I a took a cab to the airport. 

When I walked into the lobby I was greeted with a loud "Welcome" from six senior ladies. They had been to an "International Clogging Convention" held for the first time in Canada with over 1000 people in attendance. Clogging Canada  Now, I never heard of the group so it was interesting to share their enthusiasm for the dance.  

Clogging ladies 

From Kitchener Airport  West Jet services only one flight daily to Calgary. There are no other airline flights. There were no lunch counters, so for a 3 hour wait we were getting very hungry and the Clogging ladies were anxious to get to a Bar!  At 2:30 West Jet staff arrived to check us in. 

Once through security we were able to buy a lunch. All-in-all everything turned out well, as I met many very nice people to make my trip a successful one.  That is how I spent my Sunday, arriving  back in Penticton at 9:00pm to my my loving "Uber" husband who was waiting to drive me back to Osoyoos!!