ESTELLE JANE PURO (THOMPSON)

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ESTELLE JANE PURO (nee THOMPSON) March 17, 1931 January 5, 2007 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother Estelle Jane Puro on January 5, 2007. Thoughtful in spirit, Estelle will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her. She is predeceased by her husband Ray, her parents Phyllis and Wesley Thompson; her brother Wesley Jr. She is survived by her children Patricia (Walter), Ray Jr. (Pat) and Laurie (Eugene); brother Len and brother-in-law Martin (Linda). Dear to her were her grandchildren, Andrew, Emily, Jessica, Alyssa and Jeremy. She is also survived by nieces Laura, Denise and Renee and nephews Robert, Michael, and Greg. When healthy, Estelle was a strong, caring and dynamic woman who will be remembered as a generous person who habitually gave more than she received. She was born in Chelmesford, Ontario on March 17, 1931, and promptly named Estelle Jeanne by her French Catholic mother, even though she was all Irish to her Irish Protestant father due to her fortuitous birth on St. Patrick's Day. Regardless, she was most often known to family and friends by her nickname Snookie , an unwelcome childhood title bestowed by mischievous neighbours. Snookie grew up in Sudbury's Donovan, a working class neighbourhood where she would meet and marry her high school sweetheart and life partner Ray Puro, a local sports star who would surprise her with a marriage proposal immediately after his graduation from university in 1953 (they married the same year). In 1960 the couple became modern pioneers of sorts when Ray accepted a posting with INCO in the brand new town of Thompson, which was then still in the process of being carved from Northern Manitoba's muskeg. In Thompson, Estelle became involved in numerous community organizations and would eventually hold various positions (including President) with IODE and Thompson's Woman's curling and golf leagues. She would also form many strong and lasting friendships with other INCO wives, who formed a sort of support network for each other. Estelle and Ray retired to Winnipeg in 1984, where she enjoyed an all too brief retirement before Ray was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1986. From that point on she became committed to the care of Ray, which would gradually require more and more of her time and reduce her ability to be with her many friends and engage in the activities she loved such a golf and curling. She would eventually battle health challenges of her own which would further diminish her ability to enjoy the retirement she deserved. Despite this, she remained a loving wife and a caring mom through it all. She died peacefully in the care of Golden Links Lodge, following her beloved Ray by just seven months. Rest well dear mom, we will miss you always. Please say hello to Dad for us. Estelle's service will be held on Wednesday January 10 at 10:00 a.m. in Thompson In the Park Funeral Home, 1291 Mc Gillivray Blvd. THOMSON IN THE PARK FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY 1291 MCGILLIVRAY BLVD WWW.THOMSONINTHEPARK.COM 925-1120

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 08, 2007