Obituaries

Elizabeth Dale Hunt (nee Robertson)

On May 19^th, 2023, Dale (never Elizabeth) Hunt passed peacefully at home at the age of 74, surrounded by family and on her own terms.

Dale was predeceased by parents Laurie and Joan, brothers-in-law Bob and Bruce, and sister-in-law Gert.

Dale is survived by her loving husband Brian, children Julie (Larry Millar), and Joel (Tamar), beloved grandchildren Ava, Ramsey, Finn, and Kenley, and spoiled grand-dogs Clover and Yoko. Also left to mourn are sisters Penny Flock and Jayne (Reg Sims), and brothers Ted (Pat) and Allan, as well as many nieces and nephews, extended family and countless friends. Dale was thrilled to hear recently from nieces and nephews of how welcome they felt in her home and around her, and how much they enjoyed her company and sharp wit.

Dale was born in Winnipeg on October 3^rd, 1948. The second of five children, she loved growing up with her siblings.

Dale started dating Brian when they both attended Silver Heights Collegiate. They were married on September 6, 1969. Dale and Brian welcomed Julie Elizabeth in 1974 and completed their family in 1976 when Joel Merritt arrived.

Dale started quilting shortly after Joel was born in 1976. In quilting (and many, many other fiber arts – fabric dyeing, spinning wool, needle felting Christmas ornaments for her grandchildren, etc.), Dale had found the perfect outlet for her artistry and eye for detail. Dale was a Founding Member of the Manitoba Prairie Quilters and had served as treasurer as well. Dale also greatly enjoyed quilting alongside Linda Perry and Rita Wasney in the “Jacobean Support Group”. Over the years, Dale created and gifted dozens upon dozens of beautiful quilts to family, friends, co-workers and acquaintances. Receiving a quilt from Auntie Dale was a welcome bonus when having a baby!

Dale was a voracious reader, and an incorrigible abuser of the public library system. Julie and Joel grew up among stacks upon stacks of library books, and that love of reading was certainly passed down from Dale to her children and grandchildren.

Dale enjoyed 22 years of blissful retirement after leaving her job with TD Bank in 2000 (Freedom 52!!).

In 1983, Dale completed a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Winnipeg after 17 years of study, finishing her degree through night courses while working full-time and corralling two young kids. Dale said that her sister Penny set the example by taking night school courses which motivated Dale to do the same.

After her sister Jayne joined the Assiniboine Park Zoo Volunteer Corps in 2014, Dale was quick to follow. Dale enjoyed 8 wonderful years volunteering at the Zoo in a wide number of roles alongside her zoo family and was selected for an Exemplary Volunteer Service award in 2016. All in all, Dale put in over 6600 hours of volunteering! Special thanks to Zoo sisters Beverlee Hicks and Jennifer Ste Croix for involving Dale in so many projects (everything from creating cement dinosaur footprints to fabricating habitat vines for gibbons).

Dale and Brian travelled far and wide during their lifetime together, everywhere from Germany to Australia. Some travel highlights were Hawaii with all the kids and grandkids and Wales with Brian.

Dale was a devoted and super-active grandmother and was available 24 hours a day to help or just to spend time with her grandchildren. Ava, Ramsey, Finn, and Kenley all enjoyed plenty of time with Gramma, whether it was badminton, Uno, making crafts or just a route march around the neighborhood to pick up litter. A special activity for Dale and the grandkids was baking. Gramma was a maestro in the kitchen and the kids loved to help her create delicious treats. Dale loved those kids so much they even got to use her prized sewing machine!

After Dale began dealing with the effects of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Brian became her full-time assistant and caregiver. He put away his golf clubs and learned to use a transfer belt. He even did her hair (or at least tried to). It was beautiful to watch Brian care for Dale, and to see the love between them, even when words were no longer there. It was all hands on deck for the last while, as Dale needed more assistance as her mobility decreased. Julie and Joel were drafted as assistant mother transport engineers, and daughter-in-law Tamar became the chief of the operation, putting her nursing skill and positive attitude to work whenever asked. By working together, Team Dale was able to safely and comfortably keep Dale at home, exactly where she wanted to be.

As per Dale’s wishes there will be no formal service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dale’s name to the Assiniboine Park Zoo Animal Care Fund.