MADELEINE CLEVELAND

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MADELEINE CLEVELAND

Sunset: December 11, 2023

Madeleine Patricia, born in Carman Hospital July 10, 1928 to Dr. Clayton Lee Blight, First World War doctor, and Marion Louise Gibb Blight, war bride from Ramsgate, England. Mom grew up in Miami, Manitoba during the Depression and dirty '30s. She attended the two room school until she finished grade 10. At that time she was a boarding student at Rupertsland School for Girls (now Balmoral). In mom's eyes she found the monied day girls to be snobby, so she told them her dad was the town garbage collector! Imagine their surprise, when at graduation, she was introduced at the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Blight! Mom never 'suffered fools gladly'.



Mom's love affair with nature and animals started early. Pets, Butch (cat), Mickey (dog), Peter (rabbit) and Tom (turkey) filled her early childhood. If it had legs, she loved it. This carried through her married life with dogs from all over Niakwa Park visiting regularily for water from the bowl at the backdoor and wiener treats. Everyone knew Mad and Norm would tend to injured birds until they could transport them to Chris Ridley's sanctuary in Charleswood (now Manitoba Wildlife Refuge). Mom was Gran to grandcats Cookie and puppycat Midnight. She loved the antics of her present grandcats, Mystique, Lucy, Violet and her grandgoat Latte. In Winnipeg she relished her visits from Charlie and Bella. They knew where she kept their treats!



Mom married Norman John Cleveland on June 23, 1951. Norm was an officer in th R.C.N. in the Second World War. They lived in Vets Village, University of Manitoba, while Dad completed his Commerce Degree. In 1956 they built their home in the new development called Niakwa Park. It was a wonderful small community, banding together for common purposes (street signs, road paving, fireworks and Seine River floods).



When Mom's children were of school age, she re-entered the workforce. In 1971, Mom became the first teacher's aide for the school division, starting at Prendergast and finishing at Shamrock. She made many lifelong friends. Latent talents saw her shine when making bulletin boards from old wallpaper samples.



Mom and Dad were long-time members of the Manitoba Naturalist Society, the Manitoba Historial Society and founding member of the Rare Bird Alert.



They say it takes a village...with Barb and grandsons in Dundas, ON, Mom's family of choice has always been loving and supportive. Daughters from other mothers filled her with joy: Francie Palmer, children and grandchildren; Bonnie Bodnarchuk, children and grandchildren; Melisa Chipman, and became my sisters.



Maddie was predeceased by her husband Norm (2006), sons, Michael William (1956) and John Robert (2014). She is survived by daughter Barbara Eileen and her true joys, grandsons Thomas Clay (Kirsten) and Theo Charles. She loved them unconditionally and abundantly.

All 4’7” of Mom was a going concern! She was a fierce warrior for all whom she loved and valued. A sense of fair play, mischief, humour and acceptance lived large in her. She lived simply, genuinely, and unfiltered.

Mom’s heaven on earth for the last 15 years has been Dakota House. She had a mutual love affair with the staff and was known for her “bouquet”. Thank you to all of the staff, past and present. Say her name, and you can’t help but chuckle.

I wish to thank Dr. F. Akinpelw, Chris, Sheila, and Dr. S. Butterworth (Palliative Care), Jackie Armstrong (U of M Anatomy Department), Michael and Che (Transfer Service), Tiffany (Shoppers on Osborne), Colleen (Tache Pharmacy), Faye and Colbie Sierhuis. My deepest thank you to Victoria (Home Care Nursing) for your deep advocacy on Mom’s behalf. You brought her the beginning of peace, and therefore, our peace.

In honour of Mom’s father, she has donated her body to the U of M Medical School. At Mom’s request, there will be no formal service or celebration.

In January there will, therefore, be an informal drop-in! Details will be published in early January.

Should you wish to do a kindness in memory of Maddie, she would love for you to donate a can of cat/dog food to a food bank. Mom knew if you formally donated to a charity, you would get endless requests and end up cursing her! So, Maddie, right to the end!

We send her off with gratitude and boundless love for her 95 years.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 16, 2023, Dec 16, 2023