Myrna Elizabeth Tole

Passed away peacefully and surrounded by four generations of her loving family on November 14, 2024 at River Park Gardens personal care home in Winnipeg.

She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Ron Tole. Also survived by her sons Dale Tole(Kelly), Gerry Tole(Carrie), and daughter Moya Tole. Also by grandchildren Kyle Hogue(Lauren), Bryanne Stypula(Chris), Dallas Tole(Micheala),Cody Tole(Chelsea),Riley Tole, Brayden Tole(Isela), Alix Martinov(Maik), Brett Tole and two step grandchildren Ivan Picard and Adam Picard and six great grandchildren.

Myrna was the youngest of ten children born to Jim and Myrtle Shields, with her mother being 45 years old at the time of Myrna’s birth. She was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Alex, Bob, and Milton and her sisters Lillian, Myrtle, Jean, Mildred and Thelma. She is survived by one sister, Ferne Morrow as well as her sister-in-law Lola Shields.

Her pre-school “best friend” Kathie Bertouille (Horn) retained that position until the very end.

Myrna grew up in the Kingsley area of Somerset, Manitoba. Myrna referred to this area of the Pembina Valley as God’s Country. She took her junior high schooling in Somerset and for grades 10-12 she went to Pilot Mound, graduating in 1958.

Myrna loved her youth and often said that she would not trade her teen years for anything. Her older nephew Glen Wallcraft was a handy neighbor, chauffeur, friend and accomplice in attending dance after dance throughout rural Manitoba. Her group of friends were a wholesome fun-loving group who looked forward to weekend gatherings of dancing, laughs and comradery. This was probably the time that Myrna’s quick humor and sharp commentary was founded. She maintained her quick wit and sense of humor until the very end.

Myrna’s first job was as a switch board operator at MTS. She met Ron in 1957 and they were wed in 1959. While living in Cartwright, Manitoba Dale was born in 1960 and Moya in 1962. Gerry was born in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan in 1965. Once the kids were old enough, Myrna returned to the work force part time using her natural skills of making people feel welcome. She worked as a receptionist at St. Amant Centre and Royal LePage, and delighted in being the professional and welcoming face and voice to the general public. She would go on to take on her most beloved job as a travel tour guide that highlighted her personality and ability to host and care for people on the go. She continued to share her stories from that chapter of her life with fond memories.

Part of Ron’s role while working for TD Bank was accepting many transfers throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan. As they moved to each new town and city, and there were many, Myrna and Ron made up for having no blood relatives nearby by creating “family” bonds with either other bank families or neighbors. Because of Myrna and Ron’s warmth, acceptance and outgoing personalities, connections turned into life time relationships. Until around 2015, there was at least one annual road trip to Saskatchewan to visit their out of town non blood family. Dancing, games, cards and giggles, like Myrna’s high school days, were the major highlights of those trips. They moved to Winnipeg in 1975 and chose that as their final home with Ron’s retirement in 1995.

Myrna grew up on the farm. She was brought up with an attitude of “The More the Merrier”. Her hope for Sunday dinners (and any other night of the week) was a table of hungry friends and relatives to serve and share dinner with. Her goal was to ensure that not one person left the table hungry. There was always lots of amazing home cooked food followed by some variety of tantalizing homemade dessert. There are many teenagers out there that remember the invites to stay for dinner by Mrs. T.

In 2016 Myrna had an unfortunate health challenge. She was told that she would not walk again. Despite the doctor’s directive, she insisted one day she WOULD. She never did, but never stopped believing that she would. This chapter of life was unfair, but it was Myrna who would cheer up those around her and say: “Oh well, we deal with the cards that we are dealt.” She spent her time worrying about her family members and those around her.

Until Covid occurred, she hosted the “Cooking With Myrna” program at her personal care home. She showed rare frustration at no longer serving the special occasion meals for family, but showed up smiling and helping any way she could. Family gatherings were the highlights of the year, and were her motivation to keep going forward.

Myrna’s family appreciate the care she received from the staff of River Park Gardens personal care home in Winnipeg. The staff loved and encouraged Myrna’s ongoing wit, positivity and general sense of humor. Many staff and nurses would take their breaks in Myrna’s room for the comradery and experienced advice she offered. We are grateful.