| Star Bright, Star Light I wish I may, I wish I might Have the wish, I wish tonight! Please send me a Little Sister! I got my wish when Rosalie Irene Tennison arrived 11 February 1958. Tragically Rosalie left me on 22 November 2025. Rosalie was predeceased by her Father, Sgt Daniel Tennison, WW II and her Mother, Naomi Tennison, [Rosalie honoured her Mother with her book “Naomi’s Houses”], her husband, Robert Whitelaw, her baby brother Gareth, her big brother Edward, nephew Chad, Aunts Jean [William], Irene [Allan] Uncle Henry, Grandparents Harley and Iva and Cousin Harley. Rosalie is survived by her Big Sister Lynette, her step son Jay [Jennie] and was proud Gram to Logan and Mackenzie, her nieces Tracy [Greg], Shelly, and nephew Scott [Angie], sister in law Connie, great nieces Carissa, Ella and Chloe, Great nephews Jamison, Seth and Charlie, Uncle William, her cousins Dorothy, Cynthia, Barbara [John], Patricia [Barry], Dianne [Ken], Vern [Mary Anne] and Twila. Rosalie has too many friends to list. Rosalie always maintained her friends near and far with her letters and cards. Rosalie kept in touch with her Manitoba friends when she married Bob and moved to Ontario. Once Rosalie returned to Manitoba, she began her busy schedule. Rosalie would buy two tickets to the theatre, musicals and other cultural activities so she could take a Friend. Rosalie and her friends were always making memories. Rosalie loved to travel and left behind two cruises to Brazil and Portugal. Rosalie made many trips to spend time with our Pennsylvania cousins. Now Rosalie is on a new journey and I am sure Big Brother Edward met her with one of his pranks. Rosalie started her life in Bowsman, Manitoba. Her first school was a one room classroom. Her Father passed away when she was in Grade One and the Family moved to Swan River, Manitoba. She completed her High School in Swan River, then on to Carleton University to get her University Degree that started her writing career. Rosalie had a variety of jobs. She started at Domo [Gas Bar], jobs in Ottawa to pay for her University, Residential School and then she began her writing career. Rosalie quietly bore the false accusations of the Canadian Parliament and Canadian public that she abused the cute little girls she cared for at the residential school. Rosalie started her writing career at “Grain News” in Winnipeg, moved to the “Valley Leader” newspaper in Carman, Radio Announcer at CFAM in Altona, “WFCD Communicator” magazine in Brandon, and the Communications Department at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences. Once Rosalie returned to Manitoba from Carlton University, she declared she would never move back to Ontario. Rosalie crossed paths with Bob when she worked at the “WECD Communicator”. After Bob got Rosalie’s Family approval. They were married. There was one problem. Rosalie was a Winnipeg Jets fan. Bob was strictly a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. Brother Edward and Bob Jr. solved the problem. At their wedding Rosalie and Bob were presented with hockey jerseys. |
| The Jets and Maple Leaf logos were switched on the respective jerseys. When they attended hockey games, the camera would flash the picture of their altered jerseys across the television screen. Never say never, because Rosalie moved back to Ontario. Her Free Lance Career started. Many of her articles are still on the internet. Rosalie told her Mother as soon as she could “scribble” that she was going to write a book. Her final accomplishment was publishing her book “Naomi’s Houses” to honour our Mother. A great thank you to Heritage House Publishing who granted Rosalie her final accomplishment. Rosalie was born a Big Girl. She had to do what the Big Kids [Lynette and Edward] were doing. Before the age of six she helped paint the wall with her little paint brush that she declared was “too” small. Lynette was knitting, so her Daddy made Rosalie little needles so she could learn to knit. Rosalie surpassed Lynette in knitting skills. Rosalie left many unfinished knitting projects. Some were for gifts. Rosalie always had a “stash” of bed socks to give to Friends who were sick. Rosalie started with Four H and became a prolific sewer. She made her own clothes, quilts and items for the church she attended. The last church to benefit with her sewing skills is The Parish Church of St Luke in Winnipeg. Friends were a very important part of her life. She managed to weave all of you into her “busy” schedule. I thank each of you for being flexible as she checked her calendar for some free time just for you. Far away friends were just as important as she sent out letters, cards and small gifts. Just before Rosalie crossed the street, she stopped at the drugstore to pick up her Christmas stamps so those far away would get her annual Christmas letter. One paragraph would tell her friends about her final accomplishment. She finally, published her first book “Naomi’s Houses”. A tribute to her Mother, Naomi. Now I have to said good bye! ! ! A Celebration of Life is planned for July 11, 2026 at the Best Western Plus, 1715 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Family will then travel to Bowsman, Manitoba for Rosalie’s internment in the Family Plot on July 13, 2026. Again, when it is closer to the date contact a Family member for details once they are finalized. In Rosalie’s memory, follow her lead of helping others. This can be paying it forward, helping the elderly, and her best attribute of surprising friends with a small gift. Rosalie was always finding unique and sometime humorous chocolate items to send to various Friends. In Rosalie’s memory9 continue her kindness with your Family, Friends and Strangers. In closing, I will share a poem written by my Little Sister Rosalie as a gift to me. This poem was written [1979] and gifted it to me in a frame with her picture. To take a picture is to steal a part of the soul. Therefore imagine That in your hand you hold a fragment of my Spirit And think That tho’ I am not near you, I am sending part of myself And so By looking at me, in spirit we are together, and our souls unite Whereby you will know, That I think of you often And you will feel That I love you And you will understand How much I miss You! |
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Rosalie’s memorial page using the comment field below.