Community activist.
Born at Dauphin on 2 May 1923, daughter of Gertrude May Moore (?-1970) and Christian Benidickson (c1879-1965), sister of William Moore Benidickson, the family moved to Winnipeg in the 1930s. She attended Riverbend School and received an honours degree in Economics from the University of Manitoba.
On 29 December 1945, she married James Harry Ashdown (1922-2009, son of Harry Crowson Ashdown) at St. Andrews United Church. They lived for a time at Lethbridge, Alberta before returning to Winnipeg for the remainder of their lives. She collected fine porcelain (later donated to the Winnipeg Art Gallery) and amassed an extensive library of books, serving as a consultant to the Royal Ontario Museum. She was active in several organizations and was President of the Junior League of Winnipeg (1963-1964).
She died at Winnipeg on 30 October 2012.
Marriage registration [Christian Benedickson, Gertrude May Moore], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
Birth registration [Ruby Mary Benedickson], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
“Ashdown - Benidickson vows plighted at St Andrew’s,” Winnipeg Tribune, 29 December 1945, page 9.
Obituary [Christian Benidickson], Winnipeg Tribune, 5 February 1965, page 48.
Obituary [Gertrude May Benidickson], Winnipeg Free Press, 19 November 1970, page 49.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 10 November 2012.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 14 December 2025
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