Lorette WALKER

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WALKER: Lorette Florence Marie Walker, January 25, 1961 – April 7, 2010. Lorette Florence Marie Walker (Talbot) of Miniota passed away at the Hamiota District Health Centre on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at the age of 49 after a courageous battle with Cancer. She was predeceased by her father, Adelard Talbot. Left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband Bill, daughter Melanie and partner Jarrid, son Andrew; her mother Elida Talbot and brother Henri Talbot of St. Leon, her sister Yvonne Touchette of Winnipeg, niece Linette (Jaret), Brigitte (Jeff) and Jeremi of Winnipeg; her sister Lucie (Frank) Shaw of Winnipeg, nephew Colin (Roseanne), nephew Daniel (Jen), and niece Amy of Winnipeg; her brother Emile (Annelise) of Waterdown Ontario, niece Christine (John) of Ireland, and niece Natalie of Kingston. Lorette was born in Wawanesa on January 25, 1961, and was the youngest of five children born to Elida and Adelard Talbot. She spent most of her childhood years growing up in the small town of St. Leon. After graduating from the Somerset High School she continued her education at the Brandon University and later in Winnipeg. In 1982 she graduated from the RN Diploma program at St. Boniface Hospital where she worked for a few years before marrying Bill in July of 1986. Lorette continued her career at the Elkwood Manor after joining Bill on his family farm just outside the town of Miniota where they raised their two children, daughter Melanie born in 1988, and son Andrew born in 1990. A short while after beginning their family, Bill and Lorette decided to build a more spacious home, just down the road from the farm. The two of them enjoyed working on their new home together and spent many hours working in the yard, planting trees, and sowing grass. Lorette always loved the outdoors and was a very avid gardener. She often recruited Bill and the kids to help with outdoor projects. Lorette was very involved in growing plants and flowers, often starting her own seeds in the house during winter. She and her family enjoyed vacations to Drumheller, Jasper, Hinton and Lake Louise, Waterton, Alberta and Niagara Falls. Lorette enjoyed spending time with family and devoted many hours outside of work, ensuring that Melanie and Andrew could participate in after school sports, hockey, curling, 4-H and many other activities. Through such activities, Lorette passed on her many skills and wide knowledge of gardening, cooking, and sewing to name a few. Lorette had developed a love of sewing from her own mother and had indeed become a very skilled seamstress herself. Lorette put a great deal of thought and care into all her work, paying attention to all of the small and intricate details, ensuring that the job was done to the best of her abilities. This was a valuable quality that was also seen in her work with the elderly. Her co-workers at the manor often commented on her calm and patient demeanour, taking whatever time was necessary to spend with the residents. Lorette worked as a nurse for 27 years and during her time in Elkhorn, formed many lifelong friendships and memories. She was honoured when her co-workers nominated her for the yellow ribbon award, which she received in 2009. The award recognizes exceptional nurses who have contributed to the union and engaged in community activism. Lorette was a caring nurse, trusted friend, loving wife and mother. She was truly a very special person, whose love and friendship will be cherished and remembered by everyone who knew her. We are so proud of all that she accomplished in her 49 years, and for the strength and bravery that she showed during her illness. We will be forever thankful for the time that we have had with her and for all that she has given us. A service to celebrate Lorette’s life was held Monday, April 12, 2010, 2:00 p.m. at the Miniota Community Hall followed by interment in the Miniota Cemetery. Reception followed in the Miniota Curling Rink. Those wishing to do so can make donations in Lorette’s memory to the Hamiota CancerCare Unit, to Hamiota Palliative Care, or to CancerCare Manitoba (search Melanie Walker on www.challengeforlife.ca)Campbell Funeral Home, Hamiota were in care of the arrangements. 1-866-620-2744.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 17, 2010