GLYNIS GRUNDY

Glynis Grundy, beloved wife, mother, sister-in-law, aunt, grandmother, passed away peacefully at Health Sciences Centre, surrounded by her family and leaving behind cherished memories and love. 

It was a cool spring day on April 24, 1941 in Watford, Hertfordshire, England when Glynis Henry arrived to happy parents, Kate Ivy Trumper (known as KIT or Nana) and her husband, Harold George Henry, a Royal Airforce pilot.  The war years were not easy for many and within a year, on May 24, 1942, Mom lost her father.  In 1944, KIT met and married Christian Hansen, a Norwegian medic in the Canadian Medical Corp. With the war ending Chris returned to Canada and KIT and Glynis followed sailing on the Aquitania.  They landed in Halifax on Sept 24, 1946 and boarded a train to Winnipeg to their new home.

Glynis's early years were filled with swimming/lifeguarding, baseball (batchatcher), dancing at McConnells and the 4H club, a reservist in the Navy and of course figure skating.  During the hot summers in Winnipeg, the Hansen family went on picnic trips to Beausejour, camping trips to West Hawk Lake and Clear Lake and visited with the Stavely family at their cottage in Petersfield.

It was while attending a naval course on Morse code in 1961 that the instructor (Roy/Dad) took a shine to one of his students, Glynis.  Dad continued to see Mom at many naval functions including Hallowe’en and New Year’s parties.  They married on September 5, 1963 and two children followed, daughter Jennifer, son Todd and her lovely granddaughter Aingeal.  Our winters were spent skating and summers were usually in the backyard pool.  So many memories of midnight swims, jumping from the tree fort and playing Boggle, board games or cards on the lounge chairs in front of the pool.  Sorry, Mom for all the laundry from the pool towels for us and our friends!  Mom loved every opportunity to spend time with Aingeal including sleepovers, spending time at the lake, dressups, highland dancing and skating.  She loved her small family.

Mom developed her talents in many areas, cake decorating, flower arranging, design/decor, renovations, sewing and upholstery.  The Navy's Halloween parties provided ample opportunities to showcase Mom’s sewing talent and creativity with her designing and sewing costumes including Arabian Knights, Super heroes (her as Wonder Woman, dad as SuperMan), and even Alien costumes. Oh, what you can do with a kitchen colander, clear plastic, some Christmas lights and green paint!

It was through skating at the Assiniboine Figure Skating club that both KIT (Nana) and Mom met many lifelong friends, the Staveleys, Southerns, Bayluks, the Bells and later so many friends and colleagues.  There are fond memories of carnivals, costumes and skating competitions.  Moms’ passion for skating became a career with not only coaching students, but also designing programs and making costumes.  The costumes were custom fitted, beaded, and sequenced for all her students. Mom’s cat Sparkles was ever vigilant, keeping an eye out from the ironing board for a spool of thread to play with.  Not only did she coach children, but also adults who wanted to learn to skate.  There are so many memories of fellow coaches, students and parents. We would like to say thank you to everyone who supported her love of skating over her 50/+ year career.

When not skating in the summer both Glynis and Roy were busy at their home away from home at the lake.  First was Caddy Lake, where they worked diligently to landscape and update their existing trailer.  Mom’s sewing and upholstery skills shone as she updated their first trailer making it into a getaway palace.   An upgraded trailer was purchased to add more space, and with it came landscaping, concrete steps and a screened in gazebo.  They loved their little spot of paradise, swimming, canoeing through the channels and the many friends made at Caddy Lake.

Glynis and Roy made the decision to sell and move to their next lake place at Spruce Sands near Gimli with the opportunity to have a 1970s mobile home as their home away from home.  Many hours were spent updating the trailer's framing, plumbing, building a large deck and gazebo and of course decorating to enjoy time at the beach.  Mom and Dad enjoyed coming out here as there were so many cherished friends and social activities to do!  When Dad passed away in August of 2003, the trailer became a sanctuary for Mom, and she was so grateful for the support of family and friends.  She loved to entertain, card games with lake neighbours, dinner parties, evening campfires, Halloween at the lake and the annual Firefighter’s BBQ were favourites.  There were so many memories made at the trailer, waking up in the morning and joining Mom for a cup of coffee in the Gazebo, playing cards or board games, walks around the park after a light rain smelling the freshness of the leaves, bicycling to the beach, BBQ dinners and wine parties, and simply sitting in the gazebo with a soft wind blowing and hearing the wind chimes reminding us of Nana, Granddad and Dad.

In her later years, Mom had many health challenges, but maintained a positive attitude and enjoyed outings with Jennifer for shopping trips in the US, movies, theatre at Rainbow Stage, trips to Gimli and visits with friends and family.  Our trips usually included a "fancy" coffee from Starbucks (pumpkin spice was her favourite) and trips ended with a kiss on the forehead and "I love you".    

Thank you, Mom, for all that you have done for us to enrich our lives.  You are loved dearly and will be sorely missed.

Glynis is survived by her daughter Jennifer Wilsbech; son Todd Grundy; granddaughter Aingeal Hanan; sister-in-law Pat Coates; nephews, John Coates and David Coates; daughter and son Heather & Frank Good; and their partners/spouses and families. Glynis is predeceased by her husband Roy Grundy; parents; niece Catherine (Cathy) Smith; and her nephew-in-law Charles (Chuck) Smith.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held from 12:00pm – 3:00pm on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Larters Golf Course, 30 River Road, St. Andrews, Manitoba.  A private interment of ashes is to be held on Sunday October 13, 2024.

The family wishes to thank the following who have lovingly provided their care and support in the last 10 years; Golden Links PCH, Rosewood Supportive Living and to all the friends and family who have shared their time, support and wonderful memories.

A Mother is…

Someone who cares when others care less

Someone who encourages when others ridicule

Someone who defends when others condemn

Someone with patience when others are impatient

Someone who appreciates when others fail to notice

Someone who gives security in a world of insecurity

Someone who is accepting when others reject

A Mother is a friend for all time, to cherish and protect, 

as her achievements will linger for generations....

Glynis’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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