Árdís - 01.01.1954, Síða 76

74
ÁRDIS
what characterized her especially to the end of her richly happy
eighty-eight years, was her joy in living and in serving those about
her, although she did not think of it as service. She considered it
her privilege to do for others and she took joy in it in a sort of
matter-of-fact wholesome way. The first years on the farm she
worked at all chores with her husband who had the misfortune to
lose his left hand in his youth. Let no one think she neglected the
housewifely duties inside the home, even though she worked part
time in the hayfield at heavy chores. No, indeed, she indulged in
all the traditional skills of an Icelandic pioneer wife and mother,
utilizing to the full all the good things the farm had to offer. She
made all the traditional Icelandic dishes, which kept the family in
good health and spirits. She also learned from her non-Icelandic
neighbors to make delicious cheeses, and she sewed the clothing
for all the ten children, and in later life joyfully sewed suits and
trousers as well as other garments for her grandchildren. She loved
fine handwork and how she found time to make lovely fanciwork
pieces is a mystery no doubt to modern housewives who, with all
modern conveniences are so desperately pressed for time.
Oddny joined the Women’s Institute in her district and many
a beautiful woollen quilt found its way from her home to aid their
charitable activities, as well as other handiwork deftly done by her
nimble fingers.
The children remember with love and pride the gaiety and
jolly contentment that held sway in their home at Ebor. Oddny
was very fond of young people and enjoyed their company to the
end of her long and active life. Their farm was a regular week-end
rendezvous for the young people of the district. Sometimes as many
as twenty bicycles would be lined up outside the neat front fence
all Sunday and some were still there on Monday morning as a few
of the young folks had too far to go home during the night and so
just stayed for breakfast! Oddny taught her daughters to sew and
bake, make “skyr” and “lifrapylsa” so that they would be self-
reliant, and naturally all hands pitched in to cook and to care for
the influx of regular week-end visitors.
Oddny and Hinrik retired in 1937, moving to the town of Virden
and later to Winnipeg. After Hinrik’s dcath in 1946, Oddny lived
happily with her two unmarried daughters, who hold administrative
positions in the nursing profession. She did not cling to them help-