GERMAINE McCULLOCH
Germaine Helene “Gerry” (nee Verbeke) McCulloch, passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, October 10, 2009 at Mont St. Joseph Nursing Home at the age of 89 years. Gerry was the 13th of 16 children born to Ernest and Louisa (nee Dumay) Verbeke. She was born on June 22, 1920 in Bondues, France and traveled to Canada in 1922. She grew up in the community of LaFleche, SK. As a young woman she contracted tuberculosis and spent two years at the Sanatorium in Fort Qu’Appelle. She then moved to Regina where she worked in the office at Simpson-Sears for 17 years. During this time she played baseball and bowled on the Sears team. She traveled home often and spent her vacations visiting her three sisters in Chicago. In 1959 she met David McCulloch and they married in 1960 and moved to Moose Jaw where they had two daughters. In 1967 the family moved to Prince Albert and Mom got involved on the Hi-Neighbour bowling league and was a long-time member of the Holy Family Hospital Patronesses. She spent many summers at the lake and her favorite pastimes were gardening and playing bridge, where she achieved Life Master status. She was the first to arrive at the Bridge Club and put coffee on and greet everyone with a smile. She lived at the Columbian Centre for 10 years before moving to Mont St. Joseph Nursing Home in August of 2009. Her greatest enjoyment came from the time she spent with family and friends. She had a great memory for dates and never forgot anyone’s birthday. Mom is survived by her loving family: her two daughters Mary-Lou (Louis) Ryder and Cathy (Don) Johnston; her four special grandchildren Danielle and Sam Johnston, Connor Rennie, Liam Ryder; one sister-in-law Terry Verbeke; many nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her husband Dave in 1985; three brothers Maurice (Leona), Marcel (Blanche), George Verbeke; four sisters Martha (Ernest) Dupuis, Irma (Henry) Beugnet, Madelaine (Pete) Schnieder, Jeanette (Stu) McKay and eight brothers and sisters in Europe. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Friday, October 16 from River Park Memorial Chapel. Father Clifford Tremblay will officiate. Interment will take place in the Veteran Field of Honour, South Hill Cemetery. It is the family’s request that those wishing to place memorials may do so to the Mont St. Joseph Foundation or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Family and friends may send email condolences to www.riverparkfuneral.ca. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Lesley Sully, Funeral Director.