BESSIE MAY ROBINSON

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BESSIE MAY ROBINSON

(nee LOUCKS)

August 17, 1934 – October 7, 2025

With great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Bessie Robinson at the St. Boniface Hospital, surrounded by family, on October 7, 2025.

Bessie will be dearly missed by her children Andy Niziol (Carrie), Dave Niziol (Kathy), Mark Niziol (Pat), grandchildren Candy, Sharla, Praise, Kyla, Jenny, Zachary, and Alyssa. She is survived by her brothers Ed Loucks and David Loucks, and sister Stefanie Dulaux. She leaves many grandchildren and extended family. She was predeceased by her husband Ross Robinson, sister Joyce Olson, former spouse Louis Niziol, daughter Wendy, infant son Rodney, father Menzo Loucks, and mother Mary Loucks.

Bessie was born and grew up in The Pas, Manitoba. Her father was a teacher and had a homemade ice cream convenience store on Edwards Avenue. Following the Great Depression, the family turned to farming, and Bessie helped with the family farm, doing some home schooling with her father. She took on a lot of responsibilities, after her parents died at a young age, looking after her younger sister Claudia.

Bessie worked in various roles at the Manitoba Telephone System, starting in The Pas, and then transferring to Winnipeg where she worked for over 30 years until retirement. She held various roles, including Telephone Operator, and later excelling as a Yellow Pages Advertising Representative. In her work and personal life, she had an amazing ability to listen, to understand what others needed, and to make every person feel valued. She made lifelong friends at MTS that she cherished and regularly kept in touch with.

Bessie raised her family with her husband Lou on Red River Drive, south of Winnipeg, where she also kept busy with farming and working at MTS. She was an avid gardener and loved to entertain with family and friends. She later moved to Quesnel, BC where she remarried to Ross Robinson. Her adventures included managing the Savalas Steak House in Quesnel. She is proud that she was able to go back to school and receive her Diploma in Native Adult Education at the College in Kelowna. One of Bessie’s passions was practicing the art of Vipassana Meditation. She attended retreats across Canada and often commended the practice for the benefits she received in mind, body and spiritual health. Bessie trusted Jesus as her Saviour and also believed in the Buddhist practices and principles of love and kindness to all of this earth.

Following the death of her husband Ross, Bessie moved to Penticton and lived at Charles Manor downtown, a few blocks from the beautiful Okanagan Lake Beach. She loved to ride her 3-wheeled bike for miles around the city and enjoyed visits and adventures with her Manitoba family. During this time, she became active in singing, both at church and at karaoke with her friend Nick.

Bessie returned to Winnipeg for the final five years of her life, to be closer to family, and made lasting memories with her children and grandchildren. She didn’t let old age or macular degeneration slow her down. She loved to dance and enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the Legion on Marion, and at Shirley’s Dance Studio on Tache. She volunteered with the MTS Volunteers, at the Norwood Telephone Exchange Building on Horace Street, a short walk from her home on Kenny Street.

Bessie leaves a legacy of kindness that will long be remembered. Her genuine warmth, smile, and natural gift for connection touched so many people. Please consider sharing your memories of Bessie with her family. In accordance with Bessie’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will follow at a later date.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 18, 2025