Peacefully on Friday, April 10, 2021 at Grace Hospital: Age 67 years. Survived by her beloved common law spouse, partner and friend Wellington LaVerne Ashkewe (“Verne”); best friend Terryl Schellenberg; and nephew Derek Frenette.

 

Predeceased by her adoptive parents, Lydia and Angus MacFarlane; and sisters Shannon MacFarlane and Elizabeth Frenette.

 

We are left to mourn the loss of our wife, aunt, friend, companion and buddy, D. Taylor. As D always said: “D, 4th letter of the alphabet, short, sweet and to the point”. Don’t dare call her by her full name!

 

D was born in Calgary and was adopted by the MacFarlane family in Vancouver, BC. In her early 70s she moved to Winnipeg where she made many lifelong friends. 

 

Her first job was at Motor Sales Import Car Dealer and Repair. She enjoyed working in the automotive industry, she often talked about how she would get right in there and do everything the guys would do, “and then some”.

 

Later, she attended Red River College to learn upholstery. She was very good at that creating several wonderful pieces, including a beautiful headboard cover in denim. She also upholstered the interior of a car, which was showcased at a car show at the Convention Center, and that car won “Best in Show” for that category.

 

In later years, she worked at The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 141 as a waitress and bartender, where she met many more friends. She also enjoyed singing and often participated in karaoke contests that were held on Thursday nights.

 

In later years she worked at Dimark Research Inc., a call center for their MTS account, where she met her friends Linda Hockley and Claire Walter. 

 

After Dimark, D went to work at Cabela’s, where she worked until she retired for health reasons. She met her good friend Linda Ross there, and would often take her to work and back almost every day and would share many laughs.

 

One of her favorite things to do was to go out and eat, when she could afford it. Her favorite place to go was Wannabee’s on Broadway, for the best breakfast in town. She would often take one of her friends with her, so that they could experience the breakfast as well.

 

She also enjoyed going to the comedy club, and her friend Claire would get tickets and they would go together, she enjoyed a good laugh, and would sometimes heckle the comedian.

 

D always wanted to help find an easier way to get things done. She was the “Mother of Invention” and would always find things and use them for another purpose to make things work again.

 

Unfortunately, her health deteriorated and she became dependent on oxygen and several inhalers. Eventually, she was unable to do one of her favorite things, and that was to drive. She taught her friend Terryl and her husband Verne how to drive stick.

 

She has been a best friend to Terryl Schellenberg for over 40 years. And nearest the end Terryl came over several times a week, Wednesdays for sure, to spend time with D. 

 

It was hard for Terryl and Verne to watch, sometimes helplessly, their wife and friend suffer and gasp for air. Sometimes forgetting who we were, or where she was. As time progressed our friend became more ill and had a few visits to the hospital where they kept her until she was well enough to come back home.

 

More recently, she was taken to Grace hospital, where they helped her as much as they could, keeping her comfortable, and looking after her. D passed away peacefully on Friday April 10th 2021. She will be missed by the many friends that she made in and around Winnipeg.

 

A Celebration of Life and Remembrance will take place sometime in the near future when the restrictions are lifted and more friends will be able to gather.