Elva LEWIN

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LEWIN: It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Elva Doreen Lewin, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother on October 19th, 2013 at the Souris Personal Care Home. Her immediate family members were able to spend time with her during her last days. Elva was born on June 11, 1938 in Regina, SK, daughter to Melvin and Hazel Madill. Elva, her parents and her two elder brothers Howard and Ronald, moved to a farm 2 miles south of Oak Lake in the spring of 1942. Elva attended Oakwood School and then graduated from Brandon Teacher’s College. In 1958 she met her future husband, Cyril Lewin, while attending a teacher’s summer school in Gimli, MB. Cyril was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force and after their marriage on December 24, 1958 they resided in Winnipeg Beach, MB, Trenton, ON, Ottawa, ON, and Lower Sackville, NS. During these years Elva worked as a substitute teacher, a cashier, worked in a bank and at a post office. They returned to Oak Lake in 1973. Their daughters were born, Mary in Gimli, MB and Connie in Trenton, ON. Upon Cy’s retirement from the Air Force, Elva and Cy settled on a quarter section of land just south of Elva’s parents’ original farm. Elva and Cy’s farm south of Oak Lake reflected their individual skills and passions and a constant desire to improve their property. Elva loved animals and in particular horses and dogs. There was always a dog sharing her home when she was moving from place to place after her marriage. However she was able to rekindle her passion for riding and to raise horses upon her return to Oak Lake in 1973 as well as have German Shepherd dogs. Elva loved to garden and her vegetables, berries, fruit trees and flower beds were in abundance. The extra fruit and veggies were either preserved or frozen to be enjoyed later. She had a sweet tooth and loved to bake desserts or “treats” always starting her Christmas baking so that everyone could have “just one more”. She loved to travel and she and Cy enjoyed many trips across Canada and into the States, packing up the vehicle and camper. Special trips were to see family and they cherished the visits to see Connie and Michael. For 18 years Elva’s car was a common sight on country roads as she worked for Home Care and that was indeed a job she enjoyed. Her compassion and caring for the well being of others knew no bounds. She was a member of the Oak Lake United Church Women’s Group. Elva and Cy moved off the farm and into Oak Lake in the fall of 2002 enjoying many hours tending to their “new” flower beds, a vegetable garden and strawberry patch. Elva loved and was very proud of her family. She looked forward to trips home by Connie and Michael.....particularly at Christmas and she enjoyed being able to be a close part of her three grandchildren’s lives as they were growing up. She enjoyed their visits when they were back home and was fortunate to meet her great-grandson Zachary Smith. Elva was predeceased by her mother and father, Melvin and Hazel Madill; her brothers Ronald and Howard and her daughter Marie Louise. Elva is survived by her husband Cyril, daughter Mary and Kerry Smith of Oak Lake, grandson Shane and Cyndie and great-grandson Zachary of Calgary, grandson Torrie and partner Maggie Brace of Vancouver, granddaughter Carly and fiancé Jordan Mitchell of Calgary, daughter Connie and Michael Colpitts of Ottawa, sister-in-law Edyth Madill of Oak Lake, sister-in-law Betty Lewin of Oshawa, sister-in-law Mary Wright (Art) NB, nieces, nephews and cousins. A celebration of Elva’s life was held on November 2, 2013 at the Oak Lake United Church, Minister Don Sellsted officiated at the service. If so desired donations can be made in Elva’s memory to the Souris Personal Care Home or to a charity of one’s choice.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 18, 2013