JESSIE GERTRUDE LEECH

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JESSIE GERTRUDE LEECH It is with deep sadness, but wonderful memories, we announce that Jessie, at the age of 104, completed her life's journey on Good Friday, March 25, 2005, at St. Boniface Hospital. Jessie was born on December 30, 1900, in Russell, MB. She was the fourth of 10 children born to Thomas and Edith Simms. It was in Russell that she met and married Arthur Leech on June 29, 1922. They eventually settled in St. Vital in 1924, and never left their marvellous community. In 1931, Art Leech founded Lance Publishing Company Limited. Both Jessie and Art were, for many decades, very involved in the life of the community. In her younger years, she enjoyed curling and bowling, and in her later years she and her husband delighted in their travels to Hawaii (many times), New Zealand and all across Canada and the United States. They had two children, Lorne and Marlene. Jessie was predeceased by her husband in 1986; and recently by her son on February 13, 2005. She was also predeceased by a grandson Derry Leech; her parents; her three brothers, Arthur Simms, Matthew Simms, Wilfred Simms; and her five sisters, Hilda Pagan, Anne Skelding, Margaret Pagan, Kathleen McLennan and Milly Frisken. Jessie was the last remaining charter member of Jubilee Chapter No. 27 Order of Eastern Star. She had a wonderful memory and a keen interest in current events. Daily reading of the newspaper and watching CBC news was a must, and she certainly had her opinion on what she saw and read. She was kind, gentle, dignified, caring, compassionate and devoted to her family. She also relished her independence and was fiercely determined to stay in her apartment at 50 Alpine where she had resided since 1980. She was able to do that with the help of Marlene and homecare workers, Elda and Phyllis, until the last four and one-half weeks of her life when, because of health problems, she was admitted to hospital. Her memory will be lovingly cherished by her daughter Marlene Dickson and her husband Fred and their three children, Kevin (Mary-Ann), Barry (Doris) and Loreley Fehr (Terry); her daughter-in-law Jean Leech and her four children, Karen Stewart-Paley (Ted), Randy (Darlene), Tannis Kotchon (John) and Jeffery (Trish); 12 great-grandchildren, Aryn and Ryan Dickson, Thomas and Alec Dickson, Gaelen and Keiana Fehr, Marina and Gavin Stewart, Jared and Lindsey Kotchon and Tyler and Kyle Leech; her sister Winnie Kieper of Calgary; and sister-in-law Kaye Simms of Manitou; and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff of 4B and 5B St. Boniface Hospital for their care and compassion. With respect to Mom's long standing wishes, cremation has taken place. A private family committal of Mom's and Lorne's ashes will be held at a later date at St. Vital Cemetery. Dear Mom and Lorne No Longer in our lives to share But in our hearts, you are always there GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery Hwy. #1 E. at Navin, (204) 222-3241

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 02, 2005