Elsie (Wilson) Coldwell

Elsie Margaret Coldwell

(nee Wilson)      

  Sadly, Elsie Margaret Coldwell (nee Wilson) passed away on September 11, 2020 at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. She had been courageously, with a steady positive attitude battling cancer for the last two years.

  Elsie leaves to love and cherish her memory her husband of fifty-three years Duane, her sons Robert (Kristel) and Jeffrey (Raquel), grandsons Nicholas (Marielle), Lucas and Thomas, granddaughters Kelsey (Kieran) and Makenna, brother George Ernest Wilson (Lorraine), nieces Marla (Adam), Janna, Lori Morton (Chad), brother-in-law Merle Coldwell (Ellis), sister-in-law Carole Robinson (Dennis), nephew Troy Robinson (Cindy), great-nephews Christian, Isaac, Malcolm, Kyle, Tyler, Jayce and many other relatives and friends including her special long time friend, Wanda who she referred to as the sister she chose.

  She is predeceased by her parents George and Jean Wilson (nee Moyer), her brother Wesley, sister Eleanor, parents-in-law Joseph and Eleanora Coldwell, sister-in-law June Wilson, brother-in-law Darold Coldwell, brother-in-law John Kardshinski, and nephew Trevor Robinson.

   Elsie was born on March 12th, 1947 in Selkirk. She was raised and attended school in Selkirk. Elsie chose nursing as a career, which suited her caring and giving nature. She took her training at the Municipal Hospital in Winnipeg and Selkirk General Hospital. Elsie worked in Winnipeg and Selkirk, but spent most of her career (thirty-two years) at Betel Nursing Home in Gimli. Elsie married Duane on October 21st, 1967 in Selkirk. They chose to live in Gimli. Soon, she was a hardworking mother of two sons. Her sons loved sports, mainly hockey, and she was proud and supportive of their love of the game. She travelled Manitoba to watch them play and later would watch her grandsons play as well. Elsie believed education was very important and encouraged this with her sons, nieces, and later her grandchildren. She took pride in and enjoyed watching her grandkids’ activities: hockey, softball, dance and music.

   Elsie had much love and compassion for animals/pets, especially for her last dog Joey. They are together again in a field of flowers, her “garden of the soul”. Elsie was an active and giving member of the community, supporting many fundraisers/bingo (a lucky winner), a strong player in the bowling league, member at Curves. She volunteered at Betel, feeding residents and accompanying them to appointments long after retiring. A fierce and friendly soul, a smile given to all, always offering to help, giving a moment to talk and laugh. She enjoyed and treasured times with her husband and family, camping, fishing and cheering on the Jets and Bombers. Elsie really loved living in Gimli, loving nature, and utilizing home-grown produce by canning pickling.

   Elsie believed in angels and is now welcomed by them and reunited with her mom. Now, she can rest in peace forever in our hearts. We thank Elsie’s doctor Dr. Minuk and the staff at Gimli Hospital who cared for her during her treatment, and the nurses and doctors at HSC who cared for her in her final days.

   In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family interment will take place at the Gimli Community Cemetery.

   In lieu of flowers, you may choose to make a donation to CancerCare Manitoba or Gimli Animal Shelter.

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