Obituaries

DALE AUDREY GIESBRECHT
(nee BISSETT)

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Dale Giesbrecht who left us peacefully on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at Seven Oaks General Hospital.

Left to cherish her memory are her sister Debbi Bissett of Campbell River BC; nephews Brad McCreedy and Andrew Robertson (Jen); the light of her life, great-nephew Atreyu Robertson; and many wonderful friends. She was predeceased by her parents Alice (2008) and Harold (2004) Bissett; and brother Doug Bissett (1993)

Born on June 5th, 1943, Dale spent her early years on McKenzie Island ON, Fairlight SK and then to Winnipeg where she would begin her lifelong friendships. She grew up on Rutland Street in “Old St. James” and attended Linwood School and St. James Collegiate. Both of which she would serve as a volunteer Reunion organizer many years later. Up until a couple of years ago she would still attend monthly luncheons with “the girls” from those days.

Her career started at the age of 18 when she became a form drawer for Moore Business Forms and after forty years, many stories and more friendships made, would retire as Assistant Plant Manager. Her artistic talent was also keenly on display throughout these years, A talented artist, ceramist and china painter, most of us have been recipients of her beautiful work. She also took great pleasure in creating and gifting clever cards, poems, and drawings for many special occasions.

Many of her happiest memories were from her years spent at the cottage at Sioux Narrows, boating, fishing, shore lunching and “pantsing” the pickerel!

In her retirement, she volunteered with the Winnipeg School Division’s EAL program, assisting new Canadians with language skills. She loved this opportunity to meet new people, help acclimate them to their new environment and swap recipes to try foreign dishes. She was always keen to try a new dish, especially if it would be accompanied by a lovely glass of red!

While in good health, Dale also took the opportunity to travel, be it a junket to a North Dakota Casino or Vegas; a Rhine cruise and trip through the Panama Canal with Debbi; Winter holidays in Florida (with Noel and Dave) a jaunt to Nova Scotia (to see Mary) and many visits with Joan and Wayne in Southern Ontario.

Dale was definitely “the keeper of the relatives” always having up to date info of the events throughout our extended family. She made a point of us staying in touch by having annual dinners for our Johnson cousins and often hosted out of town guests on the Bissett side. Her final big trip would be to embrace our Swedish culture and travel to Sweden where she met and visited with our many relatives there.

The birth of her great-nephew Atreyu brought a whole new dimension to Dale’s life. Together they colored and drew, read books, sang songs, explored maps, and played the guitar. They enjoyed each others company immensely and her services were always readily available to provide much appreciated “sitting” for Jen and Andrew.

Dale was always a fiercely independent woman but due to her declining health, on March 15, 2020 (Covid Lock-Down Day) Dale moved from her condo to Thorvaldson Care Centre. The family can never adequately express their gratitude for the care, support and friendship that she received there, particularly through that challenging time. Our heartfelt thanks to Jocelyn, Karin, RN Ryann and the support staff who made her last year as comfortable and happy as it was.

No formal service will be held. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date. Those wishing to make a donation in her honour may do so to Thorvaldson’s Care Centre (unreceipted) or the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba.

Dale, though your body may have failed you, your humour and wit never did.  We look forward to laughing together again.