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CECILE JOLYNNE AFFLECK
Born: Jul 31, 1971
Date of Passing: Sep 11, 2026
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryCECILE JOLYNNE AFFLECK
Cecile Jolynne Affleck (nee Thorkelson), aged 55, of Carman, MB, passed away suddenly on September 11, 2026, in her home in Carman.
Born on July 31, 1971, in Winnipeg, to Harold and Phyllis Thokelson of Arnes, MB, she lived a life filled with great family times, gatherings for birthdays and holidays and celebrations sharing her Icelandic family culture and wholesome values.
Cecile believed very strongly in the value of education for all. She attended the University of Manitoba and received her bachelor’s degree in education focused on early years in 1994. She married and found new adventure in moving up to The Pas in 1996 to further her career and start a family. She never lost focus on the value of education and continued to study education through the U of M at a time when correspondence courses didn’t exist. She pushed the University to offer post bachelor certificate courses in special education by correspondence so that she, and others like her, could have the opportunity to further their education from remote locations. Audio tapes of lectures showed up in the mail regularly and she received her Post Bach certificate in Special Education in 1999. Cecile was quickly identified as leadership material and went on to take the position of Student Services Coordinator in the Kelsey School Division. She yearned to be closer to family and in 2013, made the move to Carman where she began her first Principalship at the Roland School. She then went on to become the Principal of Carman Elementary School, all while raising two children. Her drive for education that was inclusive of all learners burned deep in her heart and she became a member, and eventually the President of the Manitoba Council for Exceptional Children, a board which she sat on as a member right up until her passing. She continued her studies in Education at the U of B and in 2025 received her master’s degree in education. This achievement was a lifelong goal for her.
As if she wasn’t busy enough, she loved to craft things. She loved acrylic paints and bright colours. Many family members have a beautiful seasonal wreaths that she hand crafted for them. She loved her summer times spent at the cabin at Baker’s Narrows soaking up the sun and playing on the waters. She loved to gather with family and friends and play games into the wee hours, sharing stories and laughing. Quiet time was filled with reading and learning; she could often be found with her nose buried in a book as soon as the kids were asleep for the night. She loved to bake and made the best monster cookies and vinarterta that will forever be missed.
Cecile was predeceased by her mother, Phyllis Thorkelson (nee Dahlman). She leaves behind to mourn her loss, her children, William Affleck (Shaelyn Delurme), and daughter Victoria Affleck (Brian Watson), her father Harold Thorkelson, sisters, Jade Runne (James), Sigrid Thorkelson Isford (Erik), brother Kris Thorkelson, as well as numerous extended family members whom she loved dearly.
A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 1:00 pm at the Arnes Hall located in Arnes, Manitoba. Family has requested that black clothing NOT be worn, but instead, adorn yourself in bright and beautiful colours and let’s celebrate a wonderful life cut too short.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Council for Exceptional Children.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 19, 2026