Lydia’s family immigrated to Canada in 1925. Enduring the Depression, they established a farm in Manitou. During WWII, Lydia attended Winkler (Man.) Bible Institute, which helped her set spiritual goals. She graduated from St. Boniface Hospital as a nurse in 1948. When their children were small, Bernard studied medicine. The family lived in Winkler before moving to Winnipeg, where they were active in church, parachurch agencies and the community. Lydia dished up many meals and conversations to family and friends. After the children left home, Lydia and Bernard offered a home to young women from abroad. In later years, leading Bible studies with young couples enriched their lives. Lydia’s trust in God was a daily reality, and she drew on him for strength, particularly after the deaths of her daughter and granddaughter. After Bernard’s death, an independence and strength, which she’d always had, surfaced and buoyed her spirit. Her expressions of thankfulness were never more than a sentence or two away.
