EVELYN GRACE MCLEOD (DOWNEY)

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EVELYN GRACE MCLEOD (DOWNEY) September 17, 1918 - October 21, 2018 On October 21, 2018 our mum, Evelyn Grace McLeod, left this earthly world to be reunited with her forever love, Walt. On September 17 of this year, she attained her declared goal of reaching 100 years young. Mum was predeceased by her parents, James and Meta Downey, her husband of 57 years, Walter Mcleod, as well as her six brothers, Lornie, Wesley, Noble, Norm, Earl, Reg, and two sisters, Lena and Rita. She leaves behind her son Vaughan and wife Valerie, daughter Cindy and husband Dwight (Mollard); four grandchildren, Kevin (Joanne), Karen (Ryan), Brett (Melissa) and Becky (Tyler); and seven beautiful great-granddaughters, Kailey, Riley, Reese, Lyla, Lottie, Aila and Linnea. Mum was born on September 17, 1918 and raised on the family farm in Helston, MB, where she shared a tiny two-bedroom house with her parents and many siblings. She and Dad met at a dance in Dominion City, MB and he immediately knew she was the one. They were married on January 1, 1940, while Dad was enlisted with the Winnipeg Grenadiers. During the time Dad was overseas, Mum lived in Lavenham, MB close to her sister Lena and her family. Upon Dad's return home, they moved to Winnipeg and soon after into their Mulvey Avenue home, where Mum resided for 62 years. Our "Amazing Grace" was a strong, independent and gentle soul, with a mind of her own. She was a devoted and loving wife, a stay at home mum, and proud grandma and great-grandma. Mum lived and enjoyed a simple life. She loved playing cards, bingo at the local community clubs and walks to Grant Park Mall and her favourite Corydon Avenue shops, all year round, to get her daily dose of fresh air. But most of all, Mum loved her family. She was happy and content in her Mulvey Avenue home, where she tended to her flower and small vegetable gardens. At the age of 92, she moved to Lindenwood Manor, then to Rosewood Gardens and eventually settled into Riverview Health Centre. Mum will be missed and forever in our hearts; we were blessed to have her in our lives for as long as we did. Mum will be interred beside Dad in Stonewall Cemetery. A private, family celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Special thanks to Riverview Health Centre, 3D staff for the wonderful care and kindness they showed Mum. It gave Mum and us great comfort during the four and a half years she resided there. We would like to share one of Mum's favourite "goodbye" poems. Do not stand by my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle Autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die. By Mary Elizabeth Frye MacKenzie Funeral HomeStonewall 204-467-2525 info@mackenziefh.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 23, 2018