Ramona Gail Sparrow

With sadness and loving memories, we announce the peaceful passing of Ramona Gail Sparrow on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at the Minnedosa Personal Care Home.

Ramona was born to Clare Borden Freeborn and Diana Hazel Roden on July 18,1939 on the family farm near Firdale, Manitoba. Ramona took her elementary schooling at Montrose School at Harete, MB. She then took her high school and business courses at St. Michael’s Academy in Brandon. After graduation, Ramona moved to MacGregor, MB to work as a legal secretary for a year. In 1958 she moved back to Brandon where she worked as a secretary. On June 28, 1958, Ramona married Cecil Cameron Sparrow of Carberry. Over the years they lived in Brandon, Red Deer Alberta, Winnipeg and Neepawa. Ramona and Cecil raised a son Gerald (1961) and daughter Trinda (1964). Over the years, Ramona and Cecil travelled to Hawaii, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec. They also visited Disney World Florida, Disneyland California as well as Branson Missouri, Las Vegas, Cuba and parts of Europe.

Ramona’s main interest was her family. She loved being a wife, mother, grandmother. She was extremely proud to be a great grandmother and was always available for sleep overs. She never tired of spending time with her family and friends and could just “visit” for hours. Quite often she was a “sounding board” for some of her grandchildren. She tried to not give advice or guidance but there were times when she just couldn't “zip up” (her words).

Ramona and Cecil moved to Minnedosa in 2015, when Cecil’s journey with Alzheimers became too much for Ramona to handle alone.

Ramona had a great love for sports. She would watch as much curling, baseball and hockey as was available on the TV.

In April of 2025, Ramona moved to the Minnedosa Personal Care Home where she immediately struck up a very close friendship with Noela Fleury. For her remaining months in the care home, they would often be found together.

Ramona was pre-deceased by two baby daughters; Teri Lynn and Sheri Lee; Her husband Cecil Cameron (Sept. 2020), parents Clare and Diana Freeborn and in-laws Fred and Nellie Sparrow. Left to mourn Ramona’s passing are son Gerald Cameron and wife Karen; Their children; Jennifer (Dave) McLean, Falynn Sparrow (Pat Dagg), Morgan (Kurt) Ritchie. Daughter Trinda Dee and husband Darren Collister and her children; Jarrett (Jackie), Brooklyn (Taylor) Lapka and Bryce Eakins Collister. There are 10 great-grandchildren: Randi, Alexis, Mackenzie, Hailey, Maddison, Jaxson, Mason, Xavier, Amiri and Julia. Also left to mourn is one sister Beverly (George) Ranson, in-laws Jim, Nelson (Phyliss), Leslie (Donna) and Lorne (Debbie) Sparrow. There are also many, many nieces and nephews and their families.

A graveside service was held at the Carberry Plains Cemetery, Friday, September 5 at 3:00 p.m. with Rita Friesen officiating. Donations in memory of Ramona may be made to the Alzheimers Society of Manitoba. White’s Funeral Home of Minnedosa in care of arrangements.

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