ELSPIE HUNTER

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ELSPIE (ELSIE) HUNTER December 26, 1903 - December 1, 2003 On Monday, December 1, 2003 at the Seven Oaks Hospital, Elsie Hunter passed away peacefully at the age of 99. Elsie was born in Ballyhamage, Northern Ireland to Agnes and John Hunter. She is survived by her sister Margaret Morrison and her brother and sister-in-law Gordon and Edna Hunter; brother-in-law Charlie Anning; nieces, Pat Johnson (Marvin), Jocelyn Hamilton (Bruce) and Barbara Pateman (Walker) and nephews, Grant (Bev), Ross and Keith (Del) Hunter and David Sims. She is also survived by great-nieces and nephews, Robby and Davey Sims, Jeff Johnson, Heather Jackson, Bonnie Walker, and David, Doug and Trisha Pateman, Gordon, Mark, Megan and Jennifer Hunter as well as ten great great-nieces and nephews. Her parents, John and Agnes Hunter; sister Ina Anning; brother-in-law, Bob Morrison, and niece Sandra Sims predeceased her. Elsie and her family immigrated to Canada when she was a mere three months old, a journey that took several weeks. She was raised in a loving home built by her father on Aberdeen Avenue in the North End of Winnipeg. As a young girl, Elsie worked to assist the family, first in her Uncle Matts store and at Eatons Catalogue sales. She spent most of her working years with the Provincial Government, latterly in the Department of Agriculture. She retired in 1968 and enjoyed many productive years of retirement. She maintained her home into her 98th year, at which time she moved to Rosewood Village, and for the last seven months resided at Middlechurch Home. Elsie always wanted to be a nurse. Although she never received those papers, she achieved this goal naturally. She was a true nurse. Her kind and caring hands were always busy at work helping others. Being the eldest of four children, she watched over her siblings and cared for her parents until their passing. She took over the baking duties with the passing of her Mom and always shared the fruits of her labour. She especially enjoyed passing her goodies "over the fence" to her friends and wonderful neighbour, Peter Mudery. She was active in her church, teaching Sunday school, young peoples groups, working in ladies groups and volunteering at Middlechurch Home. She also taught clay work. She loved to paint and was skilled at many handy crafts and needlework of all kinds. During the war, she formed a ladies aid group, the "N.R.G. Girls" to knit and provide services to our forces overseas. This group continued to meet and do for others for many years. She had a passion for poetry and memorized many poems. She loved music and theatre, and was a life-long patron of Rainbow Stage and Manitoba Theatre Centre. She was an avid gardener with a deep appreciation for the beauty in nature. She loved her little dogs and always shared a bit or two of every meal with them. The most special people never know how special they are. She always found the good in people and in over 70 years of diaries never recorded a negative comment or thought towards anyone. She regularly gave to countless charities. She denied herself for the good of others and always wanted to share what she had. You never left her house empty-handed, whether it be with some of her baking, a special little gift, or a clipping shed cut out just for you. Celebration of Elsies life will be held on Thursday, December 4 at 1:00 p.m. in Klassen Funeral Chapel with The Rev. Earl M. Gould officiating. Interment will follow in Kildonan Presbyterian Cemetery. Aunt Elsie you were so special to all of us. It has been a honour and a blessing having you in our lives. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of your choice. KLASSEN Funeral Chapel 1897 Henderson - North of McIvor - 338-0331

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 03, 2003