Wilma Baird

Wilma Myrtle Baird

June 30, 1927 – December 19, 2019

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Wilma Baird on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at the Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg at the age of 92. She was predeceased by her beloved partner and confidante of 60 years, James A. Baird, in March of 2014. Wilma is survived by her loving sons Laurie (wife Jill) and Bradley (husband Mark), grandchildren, Lucas, Creighton, and Savannah, and nieces, Shirley Phillips of Boissevain, MB,  Lynda Harbin of Rivercourse AB, and Dr. Teresa Tierney of Winnipeg.

Wilma was born to parents Harry and Pearl Jones on June 30, 1927 in the small farming community of Roland, MB. Wilma grew up in Roland and after high school, moved to the nearby town of Carman, to join the Bank of Commerce, a predecessor of CIBC. She roomed with two of her dear friends, Ruth and May, sharing the proverbial times of their lives as single career girls. In 1951, Wilma met James when he transferred to Carman, also with the Bank of Commerce, James frequently giving Wilma credit for his training at the office. The couple worked well together as a team and married in April, 1954. Family was always a priority for both Wilma and James. Wilma was extremely devoted to James and the couple took great pride in their sons' accomplishments.

Early in their marriage, the couple was transferred to a number of rural communities in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Northwestern Ontario. Eldest son Laurie was born in Fort William (now Thunder Bay) in 1956, and youngest son Brad in Lloydminster in 1959. In December 1960, the family moved back to Winnipeg where Jim continued to advance his career, while Wilma made her family the focus of her life.          

Although she sometimes questioned her abilities as a parent, memories of her unending patience, imperturbable demeanour, wicked sense of humour, infallible memory, endless support, and boundless love for her family, have proven otherwise. Quite simply, she never let her children down.

“None of us knows how long they shall live or when their time will come. But soon, all that will be left of our brief lives is the pride our children feel when they speak our names."

The family is most grateful to the staff at The Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence, Winnipeg, and to her companion, Marie Ann for helping Wilma maintain her independence during her final years. In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place with a private family service to be held at a later date, and interment beside her beloved James at the Riverside Cemetery in Dauphin, MB.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Wilma’s name to your local Alzheimer's Society.

Condolences may be left on her tribute wall at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com.

Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

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