Velma Loretta Edwards

Velma Loretta Edwards

1943 - 2020

Velma Loretta Edwards was born February 14, 1943 to Samuel and Helen (Paul) Gosselin in Swan River, Manitoba. Sadly, on October 31, 2020 Velma passed away at her home in Swan River, Manitoba.

Velma was raised in Bellsite, Manitoba with her seven brothers Lawrence, Arnold, Jack, Mike, Pete, Melvin, and Terence, and three sisters Doreen, Eileen, and Clarice. At the age of fifteen Velma’s mother Helen suddenly passed away leaving her with the responsibility of raising her younger siblings and running the household. The whole clan considered Velma the matriarch and looked up to her. Velma wore all kinds of hats at the age of fifteen ranging from being a truck driver hauling fence posts for her father, to baking twelve loaves of bread every second day for the family. Velma remained head of the family until the age of twenty-one when she moved to Thompson, Manitoba in 1964.

Not long after moving to Thompson, Velma met the love of her life Arnold Edwards. One year later they were married in Swan River, Manitoba. The following spring, they welcomed their first child Gerald. Four children later, Velma and Arnold moved the family to Kenville, Manitoba—where they raised all six of their children. Once the nest emptied, Velma discovered her calling as a health care aide in the home care field. Her career continued up until she retired in 2017, at the age of seventy-four.

Velma’s home – “the sugar shack”— was always a welcoming place with fresh brewed coffee, an assortment of snacks, and her famous homemade ginger snap cookies. Velma loved being in the kitchen where she enjoyed canning, baking pies and cooking meals with fresh vegetables from the garden. Not only was it an experience to eat her homemade food, but to watch her work so passionately in the kitchen as well. Bread was always guaranteed to be on the table at Velma’s house, because in her words, “it’s a sin to eat a meal without bread”.

Velma was predeceased by grandparents Mike and Marie Gosselin, Sarah Paul and Alec Langan, parents Samuel and Helen (Paul) Gosselin, brothers Jack, Arnold, Mike, Pete, and Lawrence Gosselin, sister in laws, Marion Gosselin and Beverly Gosselin, brother in law Dexter Jerome, nephews, Clayton Gosselin, Samuel Gosselin, Karl Gosselin, and Greg Sawchuk.

Left to cherish her memory: Husband Arnold Edwards; Children Gerald Edwards (Tina), George Edwards, Gloria Rosteski (Dan), Myrna Barker (Truman), Don Edwards (Angie), Brenda Edwards (Roger); Sisters Doreen Jerome, Eileen St. Germain, Clarice Sawchuk; Brothers Melvin Gosselin and Terence Gosselin. Also left to cherish her memory are her grandchildren Matthew Rosteski, Richelle Williams, Justin Bohnhardt, Christy Taylor, Christa Edwards, Aaron Barker, Cody Edwards, Alyssa Edwards, Kallen Edwards, and Kaylee Edwards along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, former clients, and friends.

In the famous words of Velma, “Bring me a cookie and I’ll dance at your wedding”.

She will be dearly missed.

A prayer service was held Monday, November 9, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Swan Valley Funeral Services, Swan River, Manitoba. Viewing continued on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 8:30 p.m. The graveside service was held on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at Birchwood Cemetery, Swan River, with Father Norberto Monton officiating.

If friends so desire, donations in Velma’s memory may be made to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Swan Valley Funeral Services

363 Kelsey Trail, Swan River, Manitoba

204-734-5775 www.swanvalleyfuneralservices.com