Amy Martha Deneve

1915 ~ 2012

It is with deep sadness that the family of Amy DeNeve wishes to announce her peaceful passing at Concordia Hospital on Saturday, July 14, 2012.

Forever cherishing the memory of their beloved Mother are her daughters Phyllis, Deanna (Abe), Carol, and Gloria; and her stepson Joe (Louise).  In addition, there are eleven grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, and six great great grandchildren, as well as extended family in Belgium.

The name “Amy” means “Beloved”, and Mom was truly dearly loved by her family and her friends.

She was sincerely interested in people, and as a result, her circle of friends always included the friends of the members of her family.

Mom was born on the family homestead in Expanse, Saskatchewan on May 28, 1915 to Heinrich and Emilia (nee Linnert) Krause.  Very early in Amy’s life the family moved temporarily to Revelstoke, British Columbia, and then settled permanently on the family farm in Green Bay, Manitoba.

Amy married Henry DeNeve in 1938, and her first born, Harvey, was born in 1940.  Mom and Dad raised their family of six, two boys and four girls, on the farm on which Mom had been raised.  Upon retirement in 1969, they moved to Beausejour.  When Dad passed away in 1972, Mom continued to live in her own home until the age of 90.  She then moved to Concordia Village and delighted in making friends there until the age of 95, when she chose to live with her daughter….where she lived until God called her home.

Amy was predeceased by her husband Henry in 1972; her son, Harvey, in 1993; grandsons, Kelly, in 1985, and Darryl in 2006; and a great grandson, Graham, in 2007.

Mom’s deep abiding faith in God helped sustain her in difficult times.  She lived for her family, and her unconditional support was ever constant.   She had an unassuming gentle and sensitive manner. Mom was very much a lady.  She took pride in looking well, and enjoyed coordinating outfits and accessories.  She also had a good sense of humour, and her one-liners often made us chuckle.  She was interested in world events, and open to new ideas and technology.  This proved useful when she had to rely upon her low vision magnifier and her talking book due to the debilitating effects of macular degeneration in her later years.

Mom loved all forms of nature.  She loved plants, flowers in particular, often going out to her flower garden early in the morning to see what changes had occurred.  She loved animals of all kinds…..and it seemed that even the robins in her yard were seen to hop a little closer to her when she talked to them.

In her earlier years Mom sewed for her growing family. She loved to do needlework…crocheting, knitting, embroidery.  Many samples exist today.  She also sewed for others upon request.

Mom was a great homemaker…..in the days when there was no electricity or running water.  She provided for her family by canning garden produce, wild fruit and berries; she even canned fish that were gleaned from the Brokenhead River that flowed through the farm.  As well, she made all the bread that was packed into lunchkits for her children’s daily trek to school.  On bread-baking day, as we neared our home on our way home from school  the aroma of the fresh bread  often enticed a lad from the neighbouring farm to join us for a snack of fresh bread and homemade jam.  Mom was great at baking pies and cinnamon buns, and all things good. And the wonderment of it all, is that our mother did this as well as tending to the care and responsibilities of all the animals on the farm during the winter months when Dad worked away from home.

Mom enjoyed the thrill of shopping, even into her golden years.  And she never tired of responding to calls to join her daughters, friends, or the grandchildren and great grandchildren for breakfast or lunch.

The family wishes to extend a special “thank you” to Dr. Daphne Schmidt of Beausejour for the great care given to our mother over the many years.  Also, to Mom’s wonderful Caregiver, Karen Kristjanson, and to the medical team at Concordia Hospital.  And a very special note of appreciation to the pastors of Peace Lutheran Church, Pastor Brad, Pastor Glenn, and to Pastor Ward for the spiritual support given to our mother.

Although we will miss Mom deeply, we want to thank God for having our very special mother for so many years.  Her sharp mind made her ageless, and although she reached a good age, we would have loved to have kept her much longer.  However, we know that life was becoming more difficult, and Mom has been looking forward to meeting her loved ones who “took an earlier flight”.

There was a celebration of Amy’s life at Peace Lutheran Church, 350 Gilmore Avenue, Winnipeg, at 1:00 p,m. on Thursday, July 19 with viewing  one hour prior to the service.  A lunch was held following the service. The procession then proceeded to the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church cemetery in Green Bay, MB, where Mom was laid to rest alongside her husband, her son, and other family members.

Should friends so desire, donations may be made to Peace Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or to a charity of your choice.  Also, due to Mom’s great love for flowers, flowers are gratefully accepted.

A very special thank you to Phyllis for her love and devotion as a daughter and
best friend—throughout Amy’s life, and especially throughout her many Golden
Years…..The Family

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