Obituary
Vitaline Asham
It is with great sorrow to announce the sudden passing of our mother Vitaline Asham. Mom died from medical complications on Monday, August 15, 2022, at 92 years of age in the Dr. Gendreau Personal Care Home Palliative Care in Ste. Rose Du Lac.
Mom was born on January 21, 1930, in Lonely Lake settlement near Eddystone, Manitoba to Alice Spence (nee Ranville) and Marcien Spence. Mom had 5 brothers and 3 sisters: Alex, Melvina, Sam, George, Earnest, Marie, Ida, and Francis. Their family moved to Crane River when she was a child. Mom only went to grade one because she had to stay home to help around the house, but she did not let that stop her. She educated herself to read and write by reading and doing her younger siblings’ homework and reading true love magazines.
On November 26, 1945, Mom married dad (Wilfred Asham) in Crane River and together they had 9 children: Mary Morrisseau (nee Asham), John (Bev), Leo (Russel), Gilbert (Sherilynn), Larry, Pauline Zastre (nee Asham), Cathy (Raymond) Letain (nee Asham), Clarence (Alice), and baby Asham, who was stillborn. Besides raising her 8 children, Mom held several homemaker jobs providing care for her father-in-law John Asham, and brothers-in-law Bill and Jack Asham. She also provided childcare for numerous children and worked at John and Nellie Morrisseau’s Restaurant.
Mom was very connected to her brothers and sisters. She and her sister Ida called each other at least 20 times a day until Ida’s passing in 2012. Mom enjoyed attending church in Crane River and always went to choir practice although she never sat with them at the front of the church to sing. She loved playing cards and became an avid bingo player later in life.
Years after dad’s passing, she became a loving companion to Albert McKay (Paddy) until his passing in 2010. Mom lived in Crane River until 2002 and then moved to Dauphin. She moved to Les Trois Villa and then to the Dr. Gendreau Personal Care Home in Ste. Rose du Lac in 2019.
Mom loved being around people! She enjoyed spending time with family and was often seen in the passenger’s seat on short road trips to visit them. Her family and grandchildren meant the world to her, and she loved their hugs and treating them a little. Before Mom’s failing health, she never missed anyone’s birthday. She was like the ‘birthday police’ and always knew our dates and even the grandkids dates. She always looked forward to family visits and gatherings.
Mom was fond of the staff at the Dr. Gendreau Personal Care Home and said they were so nice. She enjoyed the Dr. Gendreau Personal Care Home bingos and attended Father Patrick’s church service regularly. It was there two years later that she became good friends with Donald Breland and really missed him when he passed, this past February.
Mom took a lot of pride in her family and was one of the sweetest, kindest and most caring women we knew.
Mom is survived by five children: Mary, Leo (Russel), Gilbert (Sherrilyn), Cathy (Raymond), Clarence (Alice), 24 grandchildren, 53 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Mom was predeceased by dad (Wilfred Asham) in 1977, children: John in 2019, Larry in 1990, Pauline in 2004, baby Asham in 1966, and grandson Wilfred Asham in 2007. She was also predeceased by her partner Albert McKay, and siblings: Melvina, Alex, Sam, George, Earnest, Marie, Ida, Francis, and numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
Prayers will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at Ste. Rose Funeral Chapel.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, August 22, 2022, at the Crane River Roman Catholic Church. Fr. Patrick Neufeld will officiate. The Interment will be at the Crane River Parish Cemetery. All of Vitaline’s family and friends are to consider themselves as honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, we ask people to donate in mom’s memory, to the Dr. Gendreau Personal Care Home Palliative Care room.
Cathy would appreciate anyone who would like to share a special memory of her mom to please share them with her via email. Cathy’s email address is cathyletain@hotmail.com
We would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the Dr. Gendreau Personal Care Home staff for their care and support, Dr. Gudmundson for providing exceptional medical care to mom for almost 20 years, Ryan of Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services for guiding us in making all the funeral arrangements, and Father Patrick Neufeld for officiating the ceremony.
Release Me
release me – let me go
I have so many things to see and do.
You must not tie yourself to me with tears
Be happy that we had so many years. I gave you love,
you can only guess, how much you gave me in happiness.
I thank you for the love each have shown,
but now it is time I travelled alone.
So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must,
then let your grief be comforted by trust
It is only for a while that we must part
so bless those memories within your heart.
I will not be far away, for life goes on.
so if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you cannot see or touch me, I will be near
And if you listen with your heart, you will hear
All of my love around you, soft and clear.
Then when you must come this way alone,
I will greet you with a smile and “Welcome Home”
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Vitaline Asham, please visit our floral store.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Vitaline Asham January 21 1930 August 15 2022 (age 92)..
sneath strilchuk funeral services
Décès pour la Ville: Dauphin, Province: Manitoba