Somehow Phyllis and I seemed to stay connected over the years. Whenever we reconnected, it was always comfortable with warmth, as if we have just spoken last week. My first recollection of Phyllis was from when I was about 5 years old. My parents and I visited the Winter’s farm one Autumn (probably after harvest). The folks (yours and mine) went to town and left me with Phyllis and Martin (in their late teens, I think) with the instructions to polish the kitchen floor. The “appliance” in those days was a heavy weight with a push handle. The wax was paste wax; which after being applied was left to dry. THEN they set me on top of the weight and drove me around the kitchen to polish the floor. Was it fun? Of course! Visiting the Winter’s was often an adventure with two giggly cousins and me – what else would it be?! Friends forever! Then about 1968 (we – husband Bernie and 3 kids) were living in Winnipeg when Phyllis, Joe, and Gilbert came to visit Sister Winter in St. Boniface and they stayed with us for a couple of days. When making breakfast, one of the eggs was runny (bad) and I blamed the grocery store, to which Joe replied, “Oh, we blame the chickens!”. When Joe had his heart surgery in Regina General Hospital, Phyllis stayed with my folks (only two blocks from the General). When it was over, she walked back to Mom and Dad’s – I can’t imagine what Phyllis was experiencing. I’m just grateful my parents where there to provide her some support and comfort.
I was in contact with your Mom by phone, and we had some great visits. She did love to laugh despite her health issues. I regret that I never got to visit her at Brenda Stafford in person, but sometimes we have to live life like it is, and we made do with the phone calls. She was a lovely, loving, generous, holy woman, and I was proud to have been her cousin.
Love and prayers, Leona Gibney (Kuntz)
