LORNA MATILDA DICKINSON

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LORNA MATILDA DICKINSON May 20, 1919 - November 8, 2012 Born May 20, 1919 to pioneer parents Elizabeth and James Penelton on the family farm in Archie Municipality near the village McAuley, Manitoba. She was the third child in a family of seven: Bessie (Ivan) Jamieson, Edith (Bob) Coleman, Jack Penelton, Mary (Lloyd) Parker, Murray (Jean) Penelton and Bruce Penelton. They grew up doing farm chores, attending a one room school, and playing on the prairie. Childhood was joyous until the Great Depression brought the family poverty and the loss of their beloved farm. During the depression Lorna worked as a hired girl on the neighbouring farms. Eventually at the age of 18 she took a big step and moved to Winnipeg to work. Here she worked as a cashier at the large Bowes Cafeteria in downtown Winnipeg. When war broke out her old sweetheart, Leslie Dickinson from Willen, Manitoba joined The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and came to Winnipeg in 1940 to train. They were married March 8, 1941 in Winnipeg and Les left for England in October 1941. Lorna was pregnant and chose to leave Winnipeg and return to the family in McAuley. Evelyn was born in December and Lorna and Evelyn went to live on a rented farm near McAuley with Lorna's parents and younger siblings. Lorna lost both her father James and her husband Les in 1944. Now a war widow, she spent the next years on the rented farm at McAuley helping to farm and support the three-generation family, her mother, Elizabeth, brothers Jack and Bruce, and daughter Evelyn. In 1956 Lorna took another big step and moved to Winnipeg. Again she found a job and started over. She worked as a provincial civil servant until her retirement in 1984. As a civil servant she worked at the Motor Vehicle Branch, Trade and Commerce, and finally Welfare. After retirement she travelled with friends and visited family. Family was always welcome in her Winnipeg homes. Some of her younger relatives lived with her and she considered them her other children. These special children were cousin Ede McBean (Cameron), cousin Jessie Bewer (Rowan), nephew Keith Jamieson, niece Ellen Poole (Jamieson), niece Judi Grills (Parker) and grandson Rob Wilton. All her relatives were very dear to her and she thoroughly enjoyed their visits with her. During the last six months it was wonderful to see all her loved ones come to visit her at her various stops along this final journey. She died peacefully at Heritage Lodge which she called home even though she only lived there three months. Bob, Ev and Rob Wilton will miss this strong lady that took her last big step November 8, 2012. A celebration of her life and burial will take place in the spring of 2013. Family and friends will be notified of the dates. A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel 204-857-4021 A message can be left in the on-line guest book at www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 17, 2012