LEE (ELEANOR MAE) NEWTON

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LEE (ELEANOR MAE) NEWTON FOUNDER OF WINNIPEG HARVEST July 1, 1952 - February 8, 2014 "I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate...to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all." Leo Rosten Lee passed away in the Palliative Care ward at the St. Boniface Hospital, of a brain tumour diagnosed in July 2013. She is survived by her beloved husband Jim Crawford and his children, daughter Dallas (Brian) and new granddaughter Hillary Mae; son Brad (Haruka); brothers, Boyd Newton (Tammy) and Blaine Newton (Leslie); nephew Curtis (Carson); nieces Jessica, Aly and Emma; Dear Aunt Margaret and Uncle Barry Brookes; in-laws Ken and Marg Crawford, Roy and Gail Crawford, and Reta and Dave Eddleston. She was predeceased by her brother Brent, and by her parents, Bill and Mae Newton. Lee was born in Winnipeg and raised in East Kildonan. She attended Lord Wolseley School, McLeod School, John Henderson Jr. High, and River East Collegiate. Lee then joined the Faculty of Interior Design at U of M, for a year. For over 30 years Lee worked as a graphic designer, first with Eaton's advertising department, and then at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. After six years with the WAG, Lee became self-employed with Heather Coleman in Newton Coleman and Associates. She published Interchange Magazine and various other publications for the Osborne Village area. Lee founded Winnipeg Harvest in 1983, inspired by a TV documentary she saw featuring Helen verDuin Palit's development of the New York food bank "City Harvest." Lee led a small volunteer board that worked tirelessly to open Winnipeg Harvest on July 1, 1985. She considered Winnipeg Harvest to be her purpose in life and was passionate about it, in her understated way. It was fitting that Lee finished her career at Winnipeg Harvest, first managing the volunteer program and later organizing various fundraising initiatives, including Empty Bowls. She also raised public awareness about hunger and the work of Winnipeg Harvest through speaking engagements and interviews. Lee was loved and respected by everyone at Harvest and in the community that supported it, because she treated each person with the same concern and respect, from corporate sponsor to the newest volunteer sorting groceries. Lee was also named a YMCA/YWCA Woman of Distinction. After her retirement in 2010, Lee enjoyed planting and tending her enormous garden. Her artistic sensibilities also showed up in her renewed interest in drawing and painting. She loved to start her mornings by entering contests and she won many things, including luggage, electronics and even a trip for two to Jamaica. Lee and Jim enjoyed traveling and, closer to home, loved to walk and hike. In all she did her work, personal relationship and hobbies her goal was to add a measure more of compassion, gentleness and beauty to the world. Over the last few months, Lee was blessed to spend time with family, neighbours and friends, reminiscing and enjoying home cooked meals. She treasured every visit, phone call and card from family members. Special friends Wendy, Charlotte, Toots, Trish and Brent are also thanked for their love and support. Thanks to the caregivers; Dr. A. Blank, Dr. G. Goldberg - Corydon Primary Care Clinic; Dr. L. McIntosh and Dr. Joshua - Misericordia Urgent Care; Dr. M. West and Nurse Olive - HSC Neurosurgery; Dr. L. Tan HSC Respiratory; Dr. A. Chowdhury and Nurse Linda - HSC CancerCare. A special thank you to the Palliative Care Doctors, nurses and staff who provided such compassionate care at home and at St. Boniface. Lee's comfort and quality of life in the last few weeks of her life was largely due to these dedicated people and she asked that this be acknowledged. Lee said that they were her angels. Cremation has taken place and will be followed by a private interment at Victoria United Church Cemetery, Balmoral, MB at a later date. A celebration of Lee's life was held on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Ave., Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lee's memory to: Winnipeg Harvest, 1085 Winnipeg Ave., Winnipeg, R3E 0S2 or to WRHA Palliative Care Fund at 204-787-2022. MACKENZIE FUNERAL HOME STONEWALL 204-467-2525 mackhome@mts.net

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 22, 2014