'Auntie Vera' with the children of the SAC summer camp.

On February 6th, a longstanding member of the Steinbach Arts Council passed away.

Vera Friesen had been involved with the SAC since its founding, and Executive Director Cindi Rempel-Patrick says she could always be found at their galas and events supporting the organization.

"Vera loved kids, and we would run summer arts day camps every summer," Rempel-Patrick recalls.  "She would open up her pool so that every Friday afternoon of the summer camp all these kids could come and swim at her pool.  For many, many years, nearly 12 years, many hundreds of children spent their summers being able to use Vera's pool at our summer camps."

Friesen loved everyone unconditionally, and always took time to make everyone she met feel special.  Rempel-Patrick notes they will greatly miss her countless contributions and support.

"Vera named us her charity of choice in lieu of flowers," she says.  "Our charity is to give donations in her memory.  The proceeds of the donations will sponsor families with financial challenges so their children can attend these summer camps and they can make happy memories in the honour of Vera Friesen, which is so very fitting."

Friesen loved to have fun and had a very vibrant life, which is part of how the SAC will remember her legacy.

"To us at the Arts Council she was very special, and she made people very special," Rempel-Patrick explains.  "Vera lived by this mantra that it didn't matter how famous you were, how rich you were or how much you had accomplished in life, at the end of the day people will remember how you made them feel.  And Vera certainly made people feel very special."

Friesen was 90 years old when she passed away, and the funeral was held on Valentine's Day.