Lizzie Ellen (Peacock) Desmarais

Passed away at the Glenboro Personal Care Home on Tuesday February 9, 2021 at the age of 92 years, Lizzie Ellen Desmarais (nee Peacock), of Glenboro, MB.

Ellen leaves to mourn her passing her daughter Darlene (Rick) Wood of Leduc, AB, grandson, Jason (Natalie) Wood, great grandchildren Jordan, Jarrett, Brooklynn, of Winnipeg, MB, grandson Jonah (Miranda) Wood, great grandchildren, Lakoda, Jonah, Owen, Justin, Chase, Tamika & Kyla of Winnipeg , grandson Jeremy (Candis) Wood, great grandchildren Gavyn, Evan, Fara of Leduc AB, grandchildren Loris Lynne Desmarais of Brandon MB, Lorraine McKay of Souris MB, Billy (Amanda) Desmarais, great grandchild Bennett of Wawanesa MB, brother-in-law Art Shier, and sister-in-law Shirley (Edgar) Bendtsen of Alida Sask as well as numerous extended relatives & friends.  Ellen was predeceased by her husband Fred, son Stan, sisters Audrey (Hugh) Armstrong, Isabelle Shier and Phyllis (Bill) Isleifson and by a brother Edgar Bendtsen.

Lizzie Ellen Peacock was born in Alida Saskatchewan on June 22, 1928. She married Fred (Alfred Elzear) Desmarais on November 23, 1946 in Alida and moved to Manitoba. They started their family with the birth of their son Stanley Alfred in Stonewall in 1947. They moved to Glenboro where their daughter Darlene was born in 1952. Tragically, Ellen lost her one true love in a car accident near Holland December 3, 1966. As a single parent, she worked tirelessly to raise her two teenage children. She worked doing laundry at the Glenboro Hospital for over 25 years. By cleaning people’s homes, she managed to save enough extra money to buy the house on Christie Street in 1968. She loved her big yard with the gardens and all her flowers. She lived there until a few days before her passing.

She was an active member of the United Church, Legion Ladies, and other associations. After retiring, she enjoyed playing cards at the Drop In Centre.  Ellen was an amazing knitter and prolific baker. She was always called upon to provide baking for funerals, weddings, and other events in Glenboro. She dominated the handicrafts and baking entries in the Glenboro fair. She would enter 30 plus items and usually took first or second place with all her entries. Many homes in the area are adorned with her knitted afghans; many babies clothed in her outfits; many stomachs filled with her delicious buns, bread, pies and dainties. She was known for her vinartertas. She would have us bring pounds of prunes from Alberta or pick them up in Saskatchewan on our way home for Thanksgiving to get the best price. She never wanted to raise her price for her dozens of customers who bought them at Christmas! She would host the family dinners for Thanksgiving and Christmas with 25 or more family members in attendance. She would make it all herself and make sure that there was everyone’s favorite pie or butter tart.

Ellen was about community, about friends and most of all, about family. She will dearly be missed by all that knew this truly special lady

A Graveside Service will be held at a later date in the spring of 2021 at the Glenboro Cemetery.  Friends that so desire, memorial donations can be made in Ellen’s memory to the Canadian Blood Services, 777 William St. Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R4.

My life’s been full, I’ve favoured much

good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Fill up your heart and share with me

God wanted me now, He set me free.

Online condolences can be sent to the Desmarais family by visiting ww.willmorchapel.com.  

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