Roberta (Gertrude) Cochrane

Roberta (Gertrude) Cochrane nee Halwas was born on November 29, 1939 to Robert and Olga Halwas. Mom spent her childhood in the Inglis area and at the young age of 14 she moved to Ontario to live with her sister Norma and husband Herb. Mom then got a job at a paper factory in Toronto, she loved that job, she often brought it up to us kids over the years! She roomed in Toronto with The Popek’s, Jacki and mom stayed in contact for many years.

In 1963, Grandma and Grandpa Halwas came to visit Mom and Aunt Norma in November for the Toronto Winter Fair. Grandpa introduced mom to dad, who was there showing cattle, and that was it, it was love at first sight!!! They were married on April 18, 1964 and mom moved onto the farm near Silverton with dad. Mom quickly became part of the Silverton community and embraced farm life. Being a farmers wife was one of her greatest joys! From hauling grain, to chasing cows, gardening, cooking for the crew or helping deliver the spring babies, she embraced it all and never looked back! In 1966 Roger came along and in 1970, they adopted Susan, their family was complete! Being a mother was her proudest blessing, she loved us unconditionally and always put us first.

Mom was the best cook, she always cooked for an army because you never knew who might pull into the yard hungry! She made the absolute best buns, they were famous in the community and she was always asked to bring them to any pot luck! Mom joined the United Church Women, Women’s Institute and later joined the Russell Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, she was an active member in all three right up until she moved to Grunthal in 2018. Mom and Ethel were a force to be reckoned with, I swear those two organized everything together and everyone else just fell into place. Mom was very involved with both the Silverton Willing Workers and Russell Beef 4-H Clubs, she taught cooking for a few years and was always involved with anything that was needed to be done with both clubs!

In 1986, mom decided to take a job off the farm, she worked as a house keeper at The Russell Inn for many years, she took great pride in cleaning the rooms and made some great friends during those years! In the early 2000’s she decided to change paths and started working for the Link program in Russell, she worked in a house with three special needs adults, she enjoyed caring for these ladies and worked with them until she retired in 2007. Also in 2007, they sold the farm and retired into Russell. Mom enjoyed living in town and could often be seen walking around town. She embraced being the Manitoba grandma for the Olson kids and loved when they would come to visit after school. She treasured any opportunity to help Ronda and Brian out with the kids!

In 2015 dad needed more care and moved into a personal care home. In 2018, Susan moved them both to Grunthal, closer to her, so she could care for them both. Mom got to visit dad daily and embraced apartment living in Grunthal, once again she made new friends and spent many evenings on the phone with her friends from back home! In 2021 she had a stroke and in 2022 she got placed into Menno Home in Grunthal with dad. She enjoyed the activities but missed dad as he passed away shortly after she moved in. She loved everyone at Menno Home and they loved her. The last couple of weeks you could tell she was failing, Susan was able to spend mom’s last 48 hours with her and she passed away peacefully on the morning of May 28th.

Left to mourn her passing are Roger, Susan (Earl), nieces Marcia, Glenda, Barb, nephew Keith and their families, also her Alberta kids/grandkids, Ronda, Brian, Celeste and Brendan, her Aunt Ruth Hand and many cousins. Predeceased by her parents, father-in-law Watt, her husband Jack, sister Norma (Herb), brother-in-law Harry (Sheila), her “granddaughter” Virginia, plus many aunts, uncles and cousins.