Obituary of Wilma Santha
WILMA SANTHA (née EROS)
Wilma, late of Regina, SK, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at the age of 99 ½ years. She was predeceased by her loving husband Sam; son Leonard in 1986; and brothers, Ernie, Sam, Paul, George, Allan, Oscar, and Albert. Wilma is survived by one sister Dorothy. Her daughter Marg (George), two grandchildren, Linda (Don) and Murray (Candice), four great-grandchildren, Mitchel, Jodie, Lindsay, and Kelsey, and four great-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Mary Anne, five grandchildren, Carol (Jerry), Scott (Holly), Royal, Cristal (Louie), and Jason (Tracy), eleven great-grandchildren, Mitchel, Cole, Adam, Jalene, Jordon, Justin, Jackson, Tanis, Liam, Levi, and Quinn, and three great-great-grandchildren; daughter Dianna (Les), two grandchildren, Brent (Barb) and Allison (Ken), five great-grandchildren, Sam, Issac, Keiran, Brendan (Justin); son Douglas (Tara), two grandchildren, Daniel (Bri) and Kathryn (Jimi). As well as numerous nieces and nephews. Wilma was born in Cupar, SK in 1918 and soon after, Wilma’s parents moved to Mistatim, SK. The Eros family of nine children and parents lived on a farm, then in a grocery/hair cut/pool hall. Wilma told many stories of her and her brothers. The Eros family was like most pioneers in Saskatchewan, full of life and energy with a large dose of fun and crazy. Sam Santha came into Wilma’s life and after several attempts, Wilma fell in love and married Sam on June 10, 1934. They moved to the Cupar area and farmed until hardships moved them into Regina. While living on the farm Marg was born. In Regina, Wilma and Sam had three more children, Len, Dianna, and Doug. Their home was always open to family, mostly brothers and sisters who needed a place to stay. Wilma was a stay-at-home mom, looking after the house and taking care of the kids and whom ever else was staying with them at the time. Wilma and Sam had many friends and they always got together and celebrated something. Around 1952, Wilma’s brother Ernie Eros moved to San Bernadino, California. Ernie convinced Wilma and Sam to move to San Bernadino. Leaving Marg, Len and Dianna, they packed up the car taking Doug with them. Wilma and Sam were always together and they lived in California from 1959 to 1966. In 1966, they moved to Bellingham, Washington. Wilma was closer to her brother Sam Eros who lived in Burnaby, B.C. Wilma took up bowling, knitting, sewing, crocheting, working at a blueberry farm, and generally was always having fun with Sam. She was also a great Hungarian cook, cooking cream chicken, dumplings, potato soup, Sam’s favorite pickled-pigs-feet, poppy seed roll, icebox cookies, and nut roll, just to name a few. In 1973, after Sam retired, they moved back to Regina. Reacquainting with old friends and family, Wilma and Sam had a great life back in Regina. They travelled to Hungary, Hawaii, and numerous other places. After Sam passed away in 1998, Wilma eventually moved into the Bentley, then Victoria Care Home. She would sing, listen to great musicians, and even a stint as a model. Even at 99, Wilma would get out of bed select the outfit (which the colours had to match), comb her hair, put on make-up, including lipstick, and pick out jewelry. She moved to Parkside Extendicare three years ago. Wilma had a great long life, with many adventures and a wonderful husband Sam that Wilma would say, “Sam was a good man”. A special thanks to the staff at Parkside Extendicare especially Jerome (Jordon as Wilma would say) for your kindness and care. Flowers gratefully declined, those wishing to do so may make a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Funeral Service will take place at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be in Regina Memorial Gardens.
