After an extended struggle with Alzheimer’s, it is with heavy hearts that we said goodbye to our mother, Mary Elizabeth Greenish Victoria Jenkins, on Monday, November 12th, 2018.
She leaves her brother, Rowland Jenkins and his wife, Jayne; her son, Richard H. Smith and his companion Noemi Dela Cruz; her daughter Margaret M. Schmidtke (Smith) and her partner Glen Lusk; her granddaughter, Natasha M. Schmidtke and her companion Wayne Thomas; her grandson Aaron A. Schmidtke and his companion Amy Pettigrew; many nieces, a nephew, cousins and many friends.
Mom was born on March 16th, 1935, in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales to Ebenezer and Margaret (Lewis) Jenkins. She moved with her parents (and brother Rowland and sister Margaret) and settled in Toronto, Ontario, where she resided for 40 years. As a single mother in the 1960’s, Mom reinvented her future; working fulltime at a law office, caring for two children and going to school at nights. She attended Lakeshore Teachers College and achieved her A.R.C.T. in voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music.
In the mid 70’s, she moved to eastern Ontario and it was there she began a long-standing career with Parks Canada. She accepted a promotion in 1981 and moved to Winnipeg. As the head of contracts administration for Parks Canada, Mom enjoyed travelling to many National Parks across Canada, teaching, meeting new people, experiencing different cultures and marvelling at our Canadian wildlife and terrain. After retirement Mom was very active in Creative Retirement, volunteering at the Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Fort Whyte Nature Center and was a regular member of the Children’s Fantasy Theatre (which her grandchildren enjoyed immensely). Mom was a very active member of the Alcoholics Anonymous community and would have celebrated her 23rd birthday this year.
Mom was passionate about every aspect of her life. She was tenacious in her quest for knowledge and took many night courses throughout the years. Mom could discuss anything from politics and religion to sports, music, geography and history. She had an affinity for animals, music and of course, her children and grandchildren. Mom was (and always will be in our memories), a kind, generous and loving person with laughter that was contagious and the most beautiful smile in the world.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial gifts in Mom’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
