THELMA (WILSON) HAWKINS

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THELMA (WILSON) HAWKINS August 20, 1926 October 12, 2008 Thelma lived the last 10 years in her party room at Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg. She'd have coffee, wafer cookies and candies to offer her friends. After Mom combed her hair, ate lunch with her special friend Doris, she laid down and slipped away on October 12, 2008. Born August 20, 1926 to Merle and Ken Wilson in Rathwell, MB; she grew up on the farm with her sisters Irene and Edna and brothers Morris and Kenneth. At 16 years old she began working in Winnipeg. After moving to Hamilton, Ont. a few years later; she married Dale. Daughters Gwen, Lynn (Peter) and Barb (Don) were born there followed by sons Ross and Darren after returning to Winnipeg. Most of the 60s found Thelma (a single mother of five) working at the Norwood Hotel. She worked as a short order cook, food waitress as well as serving beer in the men's only pub. The Norwood brought more than an income; it brought laughter, friendships and support. The antics Mom and Louise got into (like the time Louise and Mom raced Safeway carts containing busboys, down the back lane) were humorous memories she held dear. In 1968 at 42 years old, Mom had a brain aneurysm bleed which left the right side of her body paralyzed. Losing her speech for the last 40 years didn't mean we needed words to figure out we were in the doghouse. Prior to moving into Middlechurch, Mom spent 15 years in her own apartment shopping and cooking meals for friends in the building. Thelma was thrilled when a surprise shower was held in her new home. Mom's strength and tenacity carried her through extremely difficult periods. When choices were not hers to make, she figured out unique ways to accept what she could not change. We miss your laughter, your eeeyyyeee's and fi-DEE's, your cookies and your love. Most of all, we miss you. Till we meet again. There will be a memorial service held at 1 pm on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg (280 Balderstone Road, Middlechurch MB. Budz Funeral Service of Holland, MB in care of the arrangements, 526-2380, 1-866-526-2606.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 24, 2008