NESTA MAY HUTCHISON (MCLEOD) -

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NESTA MAY HUTCHISON (nee MCLEOD) 1932 - 2016 Peacefully, on Monday, January 18, 2016 Mom joined Dad. Her memory will be cherished by two sons, Ian (Bev) and Andrew as well as her four grandchildren, Zach, Hannah, Olivia and Elizabeth. Mom is also survived by her brother-in-law Peter, sister-in-law Gerry as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Archie and Ann, her beloved Ray, as well as numerous in-laws. Mom was born on March 28, 1932 in Pine Falls, MB, an only child to Archie and Ann McLeod. After graduating in 1950, Mom accepted a teaching position at Linwood School in Winnipeg and taught Grade 4 from 1951 to 1954. She then returned to Pine Falls to continue her teaching career and to be closer to her high school sweetheart, Ray. Mom and Dad were married in 1954 and were inseparable until Dad's death in 2004. They lived between their home in Pine Falls, their cabin on the Winnipeg River and Honolulu, Hawaii where they spent over 20 winters. The cabin was a memorable place for Mom and Dad as they delighted in friends and family watching the bears, the fireworks over the river at 4P time, fishing off "the rock", and the sharing of a corn-on-the-cob feast harvested from their meticulous garden having already served up a good glass of scotch to begin the evening. Mom, wishing to keep her independence, maintained their home after Dad's death, joined the Red Hats Society, battled cancer (which she viewed as a temporary bump in life's road) and volunteered in her community. She enjoyed gardening, curling, black labs, Wednesday canasta with the ladies, the first pick of asparagus, cribbage, and in her earlier years, the cabin cruiser and a good martini! Her eyes twinkled when her grandchildren visited her and she especially enjoyed watching them out on the river or at the local arena. She became a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in 1967 and maintained her membership until her health no longer allowed her to. This was, in particular, a fellowship mom revered. In early 2013 Mom was diagnosed with dementia and the loss of our mom as we knew her, began. We will forever be indebted to her neighbors and friends who kept a watchful and caring eye over Mom during this period of time. Mary Anne, John and Evelyn, Shirley, Terry, Nikki and Kurt; the comfort and reassurance your friendship provided to Mom over the years was noted and will always be warmly remembered. Mom entered the Pine Falls Health Complex on October 31, 2013 where she remained until her passing. She received excellent care. We are especially grateful for the compassionate and attentive team of medical professionals who assisted mom in her last few days. It takes people of heroic proportions to choose to accompany families on this journey whose work often goes unrecognized. The sensitivity that they demonstrated to Mom, and to us, went above and beyond and will never be forgotten. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer Society or CancerCare Manitoba. Cremation has taken place. As Mom wished, a celebration of her life will take place at the cabin this summer. An announcement will follow closer to the date. www.seasonsfunerals.ca

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 23, 2016