PHOENIX "NIXNIX" CAROL ARMANDE EDEL / KIND HEARTED BLACK BEAR, BEAR CLAN

It is with profound sadness that we are sharing the sudden passing of our beloved Phoenix (NixNix) at the age of 22 years old.

Phoenix leaves behind her wonderful family, parents: Dana McMillan and Faron Edel Jr., brothers: Liam and Kaleb Alexander, Jeremy & Jayden, grandparents; Betty and Faron Edel, great-grandmother: Armande Edel, aunt: Autumn Edel, cousins: Faron 3rd, Ashley, Shyla, Serena, Reannon, Shawn, Aliyah, Dalton and Rosie, great-aunts; Kelowa and Bunny Edel, great-uncle: Ellery Edel. She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents Robert and Carol Rosenberger, great-grandfather: Phillip Edel, great-grandmother; Violet Delorme and great-uncles; Frank and Henry Swan. And her beautiful, always eager for treats, fur babies; Ms. Brenda, Buddy & Benjamin Bean McMillan. Best friends: Avery & Fiona.

Phoenix was born and raised in Winnipeg Manitoba and was the big sister to her brothers, a role which she took very seriously. She attended Ecole Belmont, Ecole Seven Oaks Middle School, and Miles Macdonell Collegiate and was recently attending the Adult Education Centre to obtain her grade 12 diploma. Her dreams were to become a librarian, work with animal rescues, and support those with mental health needs and autism. Phoenix also aspired to become a crazy cat lady by rescuing as many cats as possible watching them make biscuits, listening to Queen and the Beatles all day while living in Hogwarts Castle, and being the aunt to everyone else's cats or animals.

Phoenix will be remembered for her big infectious beautiful smile, her big laugh, her big hugs, her tremendous thoughtfulness, kindness, and compassion toward others, and her generous nature. Phoenix had a love and acceptance for people that was 100% unconditional, a love so pure and so genuine it will go unmatched. Phoenix made friends with everyone she met in life. She had a way of bringing a light that shone so so very bright into every room and life she entered. Her silly nature could have anyone bursting at the seams with laughter. She loved to banter with people and give them a hard time but that just meant she liked you most whether being met with a “Ooohh it’s you” or “Hey you!”  

She will also be remembered for her great talent of hustling cat pictures from anyone and everyone she met. And if you didn’t have one, she’d settle for a dog or other family pet. But made sure to let you know that cats were superior to dogs. Or she’d firmly let you know that you should get a cat or two or three.  She loved grabbing your phone when you wouldn’t notice to take pictures and proudly announce afterward “I did a sneak!” People knew of Phoenix’s passion for all things Harry Potter related and no one dared to question her knowledge or challenge her to trivia. Phoenix loved to paint and draw and always made sure that everyone in her circle had a piece of her art.

Dad will miss their Thursday evening dinners, which were a highlight of the week when she’d come and spend time with her cousin Shyla doing a craft, and maybe, just maybe, be subjected to watching one of dads obnoxiously old and outdated movies he referred to as “vintage”, such as Monty Python’s - The Meaning of Life. Sunday’s were Daddy/Daughter breakfast at Juney’s restaurant or a specialty cooked just for her bacon with “Dad’s magical hash browns” as a centerpiece of her eating enjoyment.

Mum will miss receiving all the new pictures of people’s cats or animals Phoenix would set out to acquire daily. Our meme wars, trying to outdo each other with cheesy dad jokes or random calls just to tell her about the act of kindness she did for someone. Teaching her how to cook and bake as well as constantly telling her “Get your finger out of that.” Phoenix would respond that she was just doing a quality check to make sure things weren’t poisonous. The family holiday dinners where we’d play cards against humanity for hours dying of laughter continuously. Or how would she call and as soon as Mum answered was met with a “Mum, Momma, Mother” or singing Momma to her like the beginning of the Queen song. Watching her with her brothers and how she learned everything about what they were into at that moment so she could research it and be able to talk more to them about it. Mum will especially miss calling Phoenix on each birthday at the exact time she was born and singing the loudest and most ridiculous version of Happy Birthday she could. And having Phoenix to watch Disney movies with and embarrassing her when we went out to places. Singing the Kitty Cat Dance and the Duck Song and laughing till we couldn’t breathe.

Her weekly updates on new and exciting things she had done during the week were a complete joy to hear about because her stories would be filled with such enthusiasm and deep joy that you just couldn’t help but be so happy for her. The warmth she brought to so many lives will never be forgotten and will forever be cherished.

Faron and Dana would like to extend a big thank you to the entire team at Turning Leaf for their love and support and for always being there for Phoenix. You provided her a place where she felt she could be her true authentic self and felt fully accepted for who she was. A special thank you goes to Jodi, Delvina, Bungee, Amanda, Arielle, Chelsie, Jamie, Kris, Mac, Michaela, Ranie, Renee, Rita, Samia. We’d also like to say thank you to Tyna Morfoot and Jamie Thomas, as well as the many many others who worked with Phoenix over the years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Phoenix’s favorite small animal rescue – Popcorn and Binkies Rescue Haven.

The family encourages the sharing of stories, memories and condolences by using the comment section on this tribute page.

A Celebration of Life to honor Phoenix will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Turning Leaf 565 Roseberry Street, Winnipeg, MB. The celebration will begin at 11:00 am and there will be a virtual ink for those who cannot attend in person. All are welcome to attend to help us honor and celebrate our beautiful daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter, and cousin. We are blessed to have Elder Delvina Kejick / Motherheart officiating the service.

We invite everyone to wear their ribbon skirts, something cat or Harry Potter-themed or bright in color. We also invite everyone to bring their favorite dish for the feast and sit with us to share stories, memories and the inspiration that Phoenix is to all.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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