Thelma CHEGWIN

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CHEGWIN: Thelma Rachel Chegwin was born in Shoal Lake, Manitoba on March 11, 1925 to James and Katherine Menzies. She passed away at the Shoal Lake – Strathclair Health Centre on October 25, 2017 at the age of 92, with her son Wayne by her side. Thelma was predeceased by her husband Wilf, daughter Betty Anne, granddaughter Chelsy, sister Gilda, and brother Murray. Thelma is survived by her son Wayne, Vicky, sons Devin and Bromen, granddaughter Sherry, and great granddaughters Cesha and Shae. “For all of us you gave your best,now the time has come for you to rest.So go in peace, you’ve earned your sleep, your love in our hearts, we’ll eternally keep.”Thelma attended grade school in Shoal Lake and then went to Normal School in Winnipeg, returning home to teach in many country schools. She married Wilf Chegwin in 1945 and they raised two children Betty Ann and Wayne. Together with her husband Wilf, they started a construction company which, employed many people. They graveled highways all over Manitoba. Thelma did the tendering and drove the gravel trucks when needed. They would eventually sell the business to expand their farming business. They enjoyed showing their prized Belgian horses. Thelma and Wilf raised purebred Simmental cattle for many years and traveled to Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto Agribitions as well as local fairs. Thelma also kept busy with many other organizations over the years. She was the secretary to the Governing Board of the Shoal Lake Hospital District #7; secretary treasurer of the Shoal Lake School Board; Prairie Mountain Regional Museum Committee member; Shoal Lake Agriculture Society member for 24 years; Westman Simmental Association member for 21 years; Shoal Lake Ladies Curling Club member; co-leader of the Shoal Lake Cubs and Scouts; member of the Shoal Lake Ladies baseball team. Thelma was also involved in the funding campaign for the new Shoal Lake Communiplex and the District Representative for the Manitoba Municipal Administrators. She was a strong supporter of Shoal Lake minor sports, hockey and the Shoal Lake figure skating club. Thelma was a member of the Fidelity Rebekah Lodge for fifty years. She was nominated for the Women of Distinction Award. Aside from being a teacher, Thelma was the Municipal Administrator for the R.M. of Shoal Lake for forty-nine years. She was one of the first women to enter the field. This was the longest standing record for a Municipal Administrator in Manitoba. Thelma tutored many women taking this program at the University of Manitoba. Thelma accomplished a lot in her life, but her heart lied with her family, which she has left many great memories. The funeral service was held on October 28, 2017 at the Shoal Lake Community Hall, and the interment was at the Shoal Lake Municipal Cemetery.“It broke our hearts to lose you,you did not go alone. For part of us went with you, the day god called you home.” Thelma’s family would like to thank the doctors and nurses for their care during her time at the Shoal Lake Health Centre. We wish to extend our deepest appreciation to her homecare ladies that allowed her to live in her home for many years, which we are very grateful for. Thanks to Rae’s Funeral Home for their care and guidance. Thank you to Mike Thom for the most wonderful service, and to Thelma’s nephews for being pallbearers. Thanks to all of our family and friends for the beautiful floral arrangements, cards, food, phone calls and visits. Thanks to Isobel Basso for the music and to the choir, your voices truly sounded like a choir of angels. Thanks to the ladies for the lovely lunch. This was all so very much appreciated by her family.~ Wayne, Vicky, Devin and Bromen,Sherry, Cesha and Shae Hedley

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 25, 2017