Elizabeth 'Mollie' Carlson

Elizabeth (Mollie) Carlson

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved grandmother Elizabeth (Mollie) Carlson.

Mollie was predeceased by her husband John in 1990 and her only daughter Brenda in 2010.

She is survived by her four grandsons, Mark (Bonnie Jean), Terry (Susan), Todd (Candy) and Karl (Paulette), son in law Lance Pollock, her sister in law Jean Carlson and brother in law Stan Butterworth both of Winnipeg. Nana held a very special place in her heart for her nephew Dana Sawchuk of Vancouver. Nana was blessed with 4 great grandchildren; Meghan (Tim), Lisa (Randy), Stacie (Crystal) and Brayden as well as 7 great, great grandchildren; Avery, Claire and Ashur, Spencer and Halle, Anna and Kevin as well as several nephews and nieces.

Mollie was born in Winnipeg December 5th, 1914, making her 103 at her passing.

Nana met grandpa (John Carlson) while still living in Winnipeg and they married in June of 1936.

They tried their hand at chicken farming but kept it for two years as they realized that wasn’t the life for them. They sold the farm and moved to Kenora in 1948. It was then that Grandpa went into the plumbing business and Nana worked retail. She worked at several downtown shops (Walkey’s Drug store, Sally Shops, Eaton’s) but her favourite job was working at the Paramount Theatre.

Mollie and John loved to travel whether it was a road trip to California or a winter getaway to Hawaii. After grandpa’s passing, Nana continued with her travels taking many Caribbean cruises.

Nana become New Horizon’s Senior Centre’s most dedicated volunteer, whether she was making sandwiches or serving coffee for the lunch time crowd or organizing the One A games which she did for several years. Because of her relentless volunteering she was awarded the Provincial Award for Volunteerism.

Mollie not only volunteered at the seniors centre but was a very active participant , whether she was playing cards, shuffleboard, or carpet bowling, she was always there. The family would joke that nana had a busier social life than all of us put together as she was out 6 nights out of 7. Mollie was an avid 5 pin bowler bringing home several awards over the years. She bowled up until the age of 94, only giving it up as she didn’t want to “hold the others up”.

Nana had some very dear friends in her life, Thelma (2 hr. phone calls that went well into the night) Alf (the boy) & Marion as well as the Campbell kids, whom Nana thought of as her own.

The family would like to thank everyone who helped enrich Mollie’s life, from the community support workers who drove Mollie to her card games in Keewatin; the PSW girls in Gardner Block, your help enabled her to stay in her apartment longer; the staff at Pinecrest where Mollie lived for 4.5 years, you treated her with dignity and respect and Janet and Barbara (Nana’s honourary granddaughters) who did so much for Mollie especially once she moved into Pinecrest. We thank you all.

There will be a Celebration of Mollie’s Life on Thursday August 9th at the Minis Hall at 11:30. Reception to follow. Private family burial to follow.

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com

BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.