The Icelandic Canadian - 01.03.1981, Blaðsíða 30

28
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
SPRING, 1981
friends. In our family home, as in our grand-
parents’ homes on both sides of the family,
there was active participation in community
affairs as well as keen interest in books and
learning, in music, in travel and a great
affection for animals.
There was a great awareness of one’s
cultural background. Three young grand-
children (David, Hartley, and Derek) were
taken to their country of origin by their
grandfather, who later in 1974, addressed
the government and people of Iceland on
behalf of the government and people of
Canada to commemorate the arrivals of the
first settlers in Iceland in 874.
The love of books and learning was evi-
dent outside the home by Mother’s twelve
years on the Board of Governor’s at the
University of Manitoba and Dad’s Chancel-
lorship of the University of Winnipeg.
There was great affection for animals.
How can Bob, Tannis or I forget that sum-
mer in 1930 when we arrived in the family
Huppmobile at Ponemah Beach with a
Boston terrier, two cats, two rabbits, a
canary, and a guinea pig! There was always
a dog or two chasing alongside our bikes,
and horses on which we learned to ride and
to compete. Today, some of the grandchil-
dren are as at home in the saddle as Mother
was, as a girl on her cutting-horse; Bonnie.
There was always music in the home, as
manifest by the sweet (and sometimes not so
sweet!) sounds of the violin, the piano, and
of singing.
Mother and Dad shared a great interest in
other countries of the world and travelled
extensively. The far East held a special
attraction because Dad’s brother, our Uncle
Tavi, was a missionary in Kobe, Japan, and
Mother’s sister, our Aunt Florence, taught
school in Canton and Shanghai. This legacy
has continued. Tannis and George travel
extensively to all parts of the world. Bob
and Fran as well as Loma and I lived for five
years in Britain. The grandchildren have
lived for various periods in France, Switzer-
land, Australia, Italy, and now England.
But perhaps the greatest virtue of the
couple we honor today was their respect and
love of people — their close friends, col-
leagues, and good neighbors.
Every one here this afternoon has a
special place in the hearts and memories of
Mother and Dad.
* * *
Mom and Dad, we, your family and
friends, are grateful to you for sharing some
part of these wonderful 60 years with each
one of us.
We congratulate you on your 60th Wed-
ding Anniversary, and hope that you may be
granted many more years with us in health
and happiness.
* * *
Ladies and Gentlemen, would you all join
with me in a toast to Dr. and Mrs. Thorlak-
son . . . Gladys and Thor . . . Grandfather
and Grandmother . . . Mother and Dad.
'
•greetings
from
& Jfrienb