OLWEN ELLIOTT

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OLWEN ELLIOTT

Olwen Elliott passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at the age of 90 years.

Olwen was born in 1936 in Southampton, England and grew up in Bristol. She lived in Bristol through the Second World War and had vivid memories of the extensive bombing raids on the Port of Bristol. She attended primary and grammar school in Bristol before doing nursing training at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. Midwifery and Operating Theatre Nursing were the two areas she was drawn to. After training, she continued to work as an operating theatre nurse which she said "appealed to my need for organization and procedures".

It was on a surgical ward that she met her first husband, Peter Carthew, and, after Peter’s tragically early death, she met her second, Iain Elliott. Unusually for the time, Olwen continued to work in surgery after she married, stopping only after the birth of Kathryn. When Iain was stationed by the Royal Air Force to a base in Aden (now in Yemen), Olwen had a six-week old baby and Ruth was on the way. Whilst pregnant, Olwen and Kathryn joined Iain in Aden for the rest of his tour and at its conclusion, they returned as a family of four to England and were stationed in Nocton Hall where Alison was born. Following Iain’s discharge from the RAF, they moved to Virden, Manitoba where Judith was born in 1969. In 1978, Olwen did a refresher course, re-sat her exams and returned to her vocation in nursing.

Olwen had a great love of nature. She particularly loved the Canadian Rockies and we travelled west often. As a family, we have countless happy memories of camping trips, hiking and campfires in the Rockies as well as Eastern Canada and many US States. During retirement Olwen continued to travel extensively, particularly enjoying cruises.

Olwen had a distinguished career in the Girl Guides of Canada. She started as a Brownie leader when her girls were younger but served at area, provincial and national council levels, helping to influence the direction of the national movement.

Her faith was as practical as it was deep. Olwen was a tireless member of St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Virden. She was in the choir, Mardi Club, the Altar Guild, the Vestry and Bible study groups. She helped organize pot luck suppers, garden fetes, rummage sales, knit for the north and edited the Parish newsletter. She was a reluctant but faithful organist; it went against her nature to put herself forward but when a job needed doing, she was ready.

When Iain was called to medical missionary work in Tanzania, Olwen committed to a new life that could not have been easy. Conditions were basic and Olwen undertook home-schooling Michael, managing the chickens, keeping their home safe and clean and supporting the demanding work that Dad was doing. In all things, Olwen and Iain were each other’s rocks. Our family was founded on their love. Olwen was endlessly supportive of her daughters and delighted in her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She loved nothing more than family gatherings, even as the noise and bustle became a bit much.

Olwen’s Brandon community of friends at St. George’s Church, Wednesday morning coffee group and Riverheights was a source of companionship, understanding and support for Olwen before and after Iain’s death. She was happy to see those who were able to visit after she moved to The Nest.

Olwen was dearly loved and will be keenly missed by Kathryn and Wayne, Ruth and Bruce, Alison and Carmel, Judith and Henry, Michael and Susanne and Charlotte, Isabelle, Lillian and Juliette, Jessica and Aidan, Kayla, Derek and Kim and Malina and Jermayan, Cole and Lizzy, Hanna and Stan, Lesley, Lucie and Neil.

We are very grateful to Gail and all the staff at The Nest who minded Mum with such love and care for the last year of her life as she became increasingly infirm. Knowing she was in good hands gave us great peace of mind and allowed us to focus on being with Mum. We would also like to thank Dr. Duncan and Dr. Bookatz for their outstanding care of Olwen over the past several years.

A funeral service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran/St. George's Anglican Church, 114 Ashgrove Blvd., Brandon, MB on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

A private interment will be held at a later date.

TRIBUTES

www.brockiedonovan.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 14, 2026