ELSIE JEAN DUKE (COUTTS)

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ELSIE JEAN DUKE (COUTTS) Sadly missed but lovingly remembered by her family and friends. She passed away peacefully on Monday, December 22, 2008, at 91 years of age, at Kenneth Spencer Memorial Home, with her daughter by her side. Born on October 18, 1917 in Winnipeg, MB, daughter of the late mother Margaret (Maggie) and father Charlie Coutts; and predeceased by her husband Jack in 1987; and brothers, Charlie and Jack Coutts; and her special friend Hilda (Helen) Bain. Elsie is survived by her daughter Margaret (Dave Challes) of Salisbury, NB; and son Johnnie Duke (Linda), of Delta, BC.; grandsons, John Challes (Donna), Jim Challes (Lorraine), Robert Challes, of Moncton NB and Sean Duke (Brenda), Robbie Duke (Lily), of BC; great-grandsons, Michael, Jason; step-great-grandson Timmi Donovan, of NB and great-grandson Joaquin Duke; and finally, two great-granddaughters, Kennedy Duke and Meagan Duke, of BC; nieces, nephews and cousins. Elsie lived a full life with her family and many friends. She was a proud member of Sons of Scotland for 60 years and it was there that she met her husband Jack and made many fond memories to last all these years. In 1966, they moved to Regina, SK where they accumulated their Regina Beach camping friends. On Jack's retirement in 1975, they enjoyed five years of travelling south for the winter and returning to Regina Beach for the summers, until they then made their home in Burnaby, BC, in 1982, where they lived a contented life and travelled from west coast to the east coast sharing their time with Margaret and family and Johnnie and family. They loved that train ride. In 2002 she moved to Salisbury to live closer to Margaret. Elsie was well known for her many hugs, scone making (passed on to Johnnie in the west and Margaret in the east to keep both sides happy), and a wonderful sense of humour. She attended Salisbury United Church, where a memorial service will be held shortly. Interment will be at Brookside Cemetery, in Winnipeg, MB, in 2009. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kenneth Spencer Memorial Generator Fund, the Salisbury United Church Memorial Fund or a charity of choice. Heaven will never be the same thanks to Elsie. Love you, Mom xxoo

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 24, 2008