It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Edith Lydia Giesbrecht, age 66, on Saturday, July 7, 2012, at Riverview Health Centre. Edie’s greatest happiness was her family, and she leaves to mourn her sister Ruth Penner and children Kevin (Jackie), Candace (Kory), Michael (Joanne), Trishia (Dennis) and Lisa, her brother Jake Giesbrecht, wife Janice and children Nancy (Jeremy) and Christy (Jon), sister Hildie Wiebe, husband Stan and children Kim (Malcolm), Karla (Brad) and Sherri (Gordon), chosen family Val and Ross Schollenberg and children Jason (Jenn), Nikita (Jean-Pierre), and Brian, along with 22 great-nieces and great-nephews. Left to mourn are also many friends, extended family, and colleagues. She was predeceased by her parents Jacob and Sarah Giesbrecht and her great-niece Holly Braun. Edie spent a happy childhood in Steinbach, Manitoba. After high school she moved to Winnipeg where she graduated from Nurses’ Training, and later obtained her Bachelor of Nursing degree. Edie enjoyed a 45-year career as a nurse, primarily in administration. The last 15 years of her career was at Canadian Blood Services where she actively participated in policy development both locally and at the national level. Prior to that she worked in various positions at Bethesda Hospital, Health Sciences Centre and St. Boniface Hospital. Edie’s life was enriched by the addition of her chosen family nine years ago. She loved her role as grandmother as much as they cherished having a Gma. Words to describe Edie include generous, intelligent, gracious, professional, helpful, witty, loving, independent, adventurous, clever, mischievous, thoughtful and selfless. Edie was a mentor for many, a good listener, and a strong advocate for people in need. Edie’s love of life was evident on a daily basis. She loved to spend time at the cottage at Falcon Lake, often taking the backroads just to explore on the way up with her sister Ruth. She loved spending time with her chosen family and challenging them to games of crokinole and going on outings together. She loved fishing with Jake and Janice as long as they baited the hooks. She loved baking zweibach and teaching her nieces and nephews the art of cooking and baking. Edie loved travelling. Edie loved hosting dinner parties and family gatherings, playing scrabble and canasta, and meticulously creating needlepoint pictures. Edie was a positive person. Even when her body began to fail, Edie was steadfast and gracious in her commitment to show her love to those around her. Her belief in God was her anchor. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mennonite Central Committee or to a charity of one’s choice. A memorial service for Edie Giesbrecht will be held Wednesday, July 11 at 2:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 150 Penfeld Dr in Steinbach with interment at a later date.