In Loving Memory of
Marietta Grace Katherine (May) Fleming
September 20, 1927 – August 12, 2009
Memorial Service - A gathering to celebrate and remember the life of May Fleming will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2009 at the Barriere Seniors’ Centre, Barriere, BC.
May Fleming of Barriere, BC passed away at Royal Inland Hospital, Kamloops, BC on August 12, 2009, with her family by her side. She was 81 years of age. Predeceased in November, 2008 by her loving husband Andy, May is survived by her five children, Eileen (Keith) Gilbert of Vernon, BC, Linda Newberry of Calgary, AB, Rhoda (Robert) Cochran of Williams Lake, BC, Rita (Sandy) Proulx of Williams Lake, BC, and John (Leila) Fleming of Chase, BC, eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Melvin Thomsen of Wainwright, AB, and her sisters Rhoda Garstad or Coronation, AB, Ivy Homan of Nampa, AB, and Nora Thomsen of Wainwright, AB.
May was born in Veteran, Alberta on September 20, 1927. As a young woman during the war years she was employed in a jeans factory, bakery, hospital kitchen, and assisted the war effort by folding parachutes in an aircraft facility. In 1947 she married her sweetheart Andy and after a few years in the Alberta foothills, moved to BC, finally settling in Barriere in 1962, where together they raised their five children.
She was an active community member, involved in the Ladies Auxiliary, Legion Branch 242, and the Cadets. May competed in the BC Summer Games in Kelowna in 1980 and in Comox in 1981, winning a silver medal at both competitions for horseshoes. She enjoyed the Darts Club, where she won many trophies. She owned and operated her own small business as May's Wool Shop.
Even in her senior years, May was undaunted by the electronic age, and became proficient with computers, knitting machines, embroidery and sewing machines. She also made many beautiful handmade quilts for her family and friends. May was tremendously proud of her many grandchildren and great grandchildren, making each one feel special. She will be remembered for her courage, dedication, kind heart and generous spirit. She will be forever missed.
The family would like to extend sincere thanks to Dr. Clare and the staff of the Barriere Medical Clinic and the staff at the Royal Inland Hospital for their outstanding care.
A service to remember the life of May Fleming was held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2009 in the Seniors Hall, Barriere, BC. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in memory of Marietta Fleming to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC, 201-635 Victoria St., Kamloops, BC, V2C 2B3. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to North Thompson Funeral Services, Barriere, BC, telephone 250-672-1999.