LESLEY MARGARET NOREK

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LESLEY MARGARET NOREK

(nee BERTHIAUME)

May 8, 1942 – August 8, 2025

With heavy hearts, the family of Lesley announces her passing on August 8, 2025, at the age of 83, at Brandon Regional Health Centre.

Lesley was born in Winnipeg to Gaetan (Bert) and Margaret (Rita) Berthiaume, the eldest of three children. As a family, they cherished simple joys—Sunday picnics at the beach, the excitement of their first family car when Lesley was 13, and weekly Sunday school.

In her youth and teen years, Lesley was an active and adventurous spirit. She was a member of the Explorers and CGIT, the Winnipeg Canoe Club, the Badminton Club, and, for a time, the Winnipeg Ski Club. She graduated from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate in 1960.

Lesley’s working life began in her teens as a glove model at Eaton’s. After high school, she joined The Greater Winnipeg Gas Company as a switchboard operator, later advancing to Executive Secretary. She eventually moved into the Construction and Maintenance Department at GWGC, continuing in her secretarial role. It was there that she met Howard. The two married on November 10, 1966. At the time, company policy allowed only one family member to work at the gas company, so Lesley left GWGC, continuing part-time work at Eaton’s while building her life with Howard.

In 1972, on the day she turned thirty, Lesley traded skyscrapers for silos, leaving behind city lights for the quiet rhythm of farm life at Lenore, MB. Farm life had its challenges. In 1975, they managed to overcome a housefire, the well running dry, and losing an entire heard of cattle to brucellosis. With the help of Howard’s parents, family, and the community, they were able to rebuild and continue their life on the farm until they moved to Brandon, Manitoba in 2016.

Lesley had a huge heart. She loved meeting new people and involved herself in the community. She drove the school bus, she was active in Lenore W.I., Kentones Barbershop of Kenton, Royal Purple of Virden, and she sang in St. Paul’s United Church choir. She was also a part of The Wool Gatherers which started as a few ladies getting together to spin wool, weave, and knit. This led into competing in international Sheep to Shawl competitions.

Her priority in life was her family. She loved gardening, cooking, entertaining, dancing, camping in her little house on wheels, and surprise visits. Almost every morning after breakfast, she would call someone just to check in to see how they were doing. She was nourished by the connections she made with family and friends.

She is survived by her loving husband Howard, her three daughters, Jennifer (Ben), Jaclyn (Pheobe the cat), and Julie (John-Henry), grandchildren Duncan, Stephen (Tammy), Jeffrey, Sidney, and Jackson, great-grandchildren, Malakai and Maxwell. Also, left to mourn are Lesley’s brothers Bill (Vera) and Ken (Heather), brother-in-law Ralph (Shirley), sister-in-law Maggie, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A Come and go Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 13,2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Monterey Estates Hall, 40 Mockingbird Drive, Brandon, MB.

Cremation has taken place. A private family interment will be held at a later date.

Donations may be made to a charity of your choice

Condolences: www.brockiedonovan.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 16, 2025