At the age of 94, Verna passed away at Golden Birches Terrace in Blind River. Born on a farm 10 miles from Lintlaw, Saskatchewan Verna was the fourth of 7 children. Verna loved working outside with her brothers Ivan, Bob, Mervin and Orvin Cunningham, all deceased. Verna also had 2 sisters, the late Vera Grand and Evelyn Meyer of Flin Flon, Manitoba. In 1944, Verna married Merrill Gamble and moved to Sudbury with their eldest daughter Zella, born 1948 (late Bruce Clark). They also had one son Gary, born in 1953 (Janice nee Behnke).
Verna was excellent at knitting and canning. She knit socks, mitts and sweaters for her family which grew to encompass 9 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson, Calvin. When her grandkids came to visit, Verna gave each child a basket which they took downstairs into her 10’X12’ cold room. They filled their little baskets with fruit preserves from the shelves, a selection of peaches, apricots, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, pears and cherries. Once home, they blended their own milk shakes using the fruits of Grandma’s love.
Verna loved her church families at both Berean Baptist Church in Sudbury and Calvary Gospel in Blind River.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Golden Birches Terrace who do an excellent job under very difficult circumstances.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made directly to Golden Birches Terrace Family Council, Berean Baptist Church, Sudbury or Calvary Gospel, Blind River.
Funeral services will be announced and held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Menard Funeral Home.
MY HERO
Great grandma you are my hero because you are the person I admire most. You live in Blind River but you come to stay with me a lot in the winter when my Mom has to go away with her work.
You became my hero when you moved into our house when I was just a baby because my Mom was really sick. After I was born Mom had trouble with her eyes and she could not see very well for a bit. Great Grandma you use to always get up with me and feed me at night.
You are very smart and I admire that you taught me things all the time. You taught me about God and to pray, you help me to read books and write stories. You always take the time to listen to the things that are more important to me, and you help me to deicide on the things I need help with.
Great Grandma I love that you knit things for everyone in our family. You can even make me socks and hats and mitts. You are very kind and you are my teacher and I love you very much. You are my HERO!!
Love, Samantha