LINDA FLETCHER

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LINDA FLETCHER Peacefully and surrounded by love on Wednesday, August 3, 2011, at the Lakeshore General Hospital in Ashern, MB, Linda Joyce Fletcher passed away. Linda is survived by her husband John Cochrane; her children Patricia (Patty) and Thomas Cochrane; mother Isabella (Dolly) Fletcher; twin sister Heather; brother Ron; half sister Debra Fletcher (Roger Sharp); niece Liza Fletcher (Mike McCall); nephew Jon Pear; aunt Joyce and uncle Dick Merrill as well as many cousins, friends and in-laws. She is predeceased by her grandparents Rob and Shorty Bradley and father Bert Fletcher. Linda was born five minutes before Heather on September 10, 1947. She was raised by her grandparents and Dolly in the Fort Rouge area of Winnipeg. She attended Lord Roberts and graduated from Churchill High School in 1967 when she ventured to Montreal for Expo 67 with Heather and a friend. She graduated from University of Manitoba in Social Work in 1972. While in University, she met John Cochrane and started a lifelong involvement with the NDP. Linda worked a year as a Medical Social Worker in Churchill. Then she started her 25 years plus career with the Government of Manitoba where she worked in Birtle, Brandon, Winnipeg and Ashern in Family Counselling, Child Welfare and Community Living and Children's Special Services. After a friendship of over ten years, Linda decided she wanted to change her relationship with John and, in 1981, chased him to Africa. They moved to Ashern to work and were married in 1983. Linda left the government and joined Ashern Central School as a Guidance Counsellor in 1993. She went on disability leave in January 2010. Linda has always been active in her community on various boards; Women's Resource Centre, Fieldstone, I.R.H.A. as well as the Board and Chair of U.C.W. with Ashern United Church. She has fond memories of working, especially the trips to Clear Lake. More recently, Linda has cherished her outings with the Linda Club. Linda's joy was her family. Her devoted husband John who has been a solid support during her health challenges. She was very happy with Thomas' arrangements in Selkirk and was proud of the accomplishments of Patty, especially in her productions for the Fringe Festival. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 8, 2011, at the Ashern Centennial Hall with Melanie Kauppila and Ron Fletcher officiating. Interment to follow in the Ashern United Church Cemetery. Urn bearer will be Sarah Schwartz. Honorary pallbearer will be Dylan Williment. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Ashern Central School for Teens Against Drinking and Driving, a group Linda was the mentor for while at the school. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at the St. Boniface Hospital, Dr. Rawoof and nurses at the Lakeshore General Hospital. Special thanks to Mandy, the nurses through Home Care and Home Care Workers. Linda was cared for with love by Linda and Vicky (Victoria). Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOME Ashern Lundar 1-204-768-2072 1-866-323-3593

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 06, 2011