THELMA JANE LEVESQUE

Our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother Thelma Jane Levesque passed away on May 15, 2024 at the age of 96. She left with her family by her side, resolute and grateful to have been able to choose her final path. 

Thelma was the third of four daughters born to parents who had immigrated from the Lake District in England and Glasgow. She grew up in Fort Garry in a loving, hardworking family and often recalled the many happy times they shared. Her parents were devoted to each other and to their children. 

Thelma left high school and began working as a “parcel girl” at Eaton’s. It was there, at 17, she met Romeo, a 17-year-old “parcel boy” of whom she said, “He wasn’t like anyone I had ever met.” Perhaps our dad climbing on a desk and performing a red river jig convinced her that he was the “one”. Our mother had found her dance partner and they went on to spend many evenings together on the dance floor. Our Dad also brought with him a large, loving, extended francophone family that welcomed Thelma into their lives. Our parents were married at 18 and were together for 71 years until our dad left us in 2017. Together, they raised their two daughters and built a life in the north end of Winnipeg on Cathedral Avenue.  

During their marriage Thelma was, with few exceptions, a “working mum”. Early on, and after her older daughter was born, she worked as a waitress/server during the evening shift at Picardy’s, a downtown restaurant, and later worked at Eaton’s as supervisor of the Salad Counter and, until she retired, as a postal clerk in Eaton’s Service Building. She rarely missed a day of work and was a living breathing model for strong work ethics.  

Our mother lived her last six years alone, and independently after our Dad left us. In spite of her many physical challenges she refused any formalized home care. She managed with a walker and then with a wheelchair adapting and rewriting the script as she went along. Some people run a marathon or climb a mountain, our mother crossed two parking lots and a street, slowly, using her walker to get to and from the grocery store. The return trip made all the more difficult by the heavy load of groceries balanced on the seat of her walker. When I asked her if she didn’t “draw a crowd” during these forays, she responded that yes, people noticed her efforts and would then ask, “Do you need help?” Her answer was always the same, “No, I’m fine, thank you.” To say she was fiercely independent does not do justice. She continued living her life on her terms, until she couldn’t. 

To the end, she remained intellectually engaged in politics, sports, current events and, social justice issues and was able to participate in debates and discussions where she presented an informed, well-articulated view point. Her memory recall was stunning. She also was often able to provide us with sage advice on a variety of matters.  To be fair, we also had the “benefit” of her unsolicited opinions as well, but that’s another story.

Thelma was predeceased by her husband Romeo in 2017 and by her sisters, Minnie and Bette. She is survived by her daughters, Barbara “Elizabeth” (Gordon) and Nancy (Guy); her four grandchildren, Jesse, Peter “Paddy”, Pasel, and Ryan; and her three great grandchildren, Gabriel, Ylenia, and Connor. She is also survived by her sister Helen; nephews, Gilbert and Richard; and her nieces, Judi and Brenda, who travelled from out of town to say good bye.

There will be no service at our mother’s request, as she wished.    

”I’ve realized why we are here,” whispered the boy.

“For cake?” Asked the mole.

“To love,” said the boy.

“And be loved,” said the horse.

- The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

Thelma’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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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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