Nola Anne Chudley

It is with great sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of our dear mother Nola Anne Chudley (nee Dufort) of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba. At 5:47 on Thursday March 24, Surrounded by loving family in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Boniface Hospital, Nola passed quietly and comfortably.

Nola was predeceased by her loving husband Bruce Raymond Chudley. Nola is survived by her daughter Marlis Louise Giesbrecht (Ron) of Calgary, Alberta, son Bruce Allen Chudley (Jennifer) of Oakbank, Manitoba, and son Scott Noel Chudley (Jackie) of Winnipeg, Manitoba as well as ---- grandchildren: Sarah, Erin, Gage, Andrew, Eric, and Carter.

Mom was born on June 10, 1939 and was raised in Transcona. One day while visiting the ball diamond with her friends she was swept off her feet by the catcher behind the plate. He was a handsome young man who was tremendous at many sports. They became inseparable, together Nola and Bruce began their adventure. They were married in the Transcona Memorial United Church on July 13, 1957. They loved boating, camping and fishing. They custom built a new home at 547 Regent Avenue that would become our childhood home. Along the way mom gave birth to three wonderful and successful children. She also raised a prize winning dachshund named Stumpy. Because of dads shift work as a police officer it was up to mom to handle the raising of the three children and the arduous task of running the household. Mom would cook, clean, organize and transport Marlis to figure skating and both Bruce and Scott to hockey all while working at Co-op Implements. Dad was the firm hand if we were ever out of line. Occasionally mom would utter the fear invoking words: “wait until your dad gets home”. The one day mom tried to be the firm hand with Marlis, she ended up breaking her own wrist! Mom did not have a mean bone in her body. Later in her life she moved to work for Agri Finance where she earned the nickname: Bulldog. She was the receptionist and in charge of “guarding” the front entrance, apparently she did this job quite well. She would eventually become the first person to ever retire from Agri Finance. She and dad, along with Rufus their miniature dachshund moved to their cherished summer home on Lee River in the RM of Lac Du Bonnet in 1992, making it their permanent residence. Although retired mom would continue to work as an administrative assistant to our dad as he served the area constituents of Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba as an RM counsellor. She would help dad organize his meetings, file his papers, track his mileage and of course cook, clean and keep the new smaller sugar shack organized. Mom enjoyed many days sitting watching the water, the trees, the birds and other wildlife that was abundant in their new home. Mom was an avid reader and knitting expert. She was instrumental in organizing a walking club at the community center for many years when dad and many of their friends were told by their doctors to get moving more! When dad passed away in 2010 mom decided that living alone in the “bush” would not be a prudent idea. With the sale of the sugar shack completed, she moved back to Winnipeg settling in a beautiful new apartment on Niakwa Road. As was her nature, she met new people and made friends rapidly. She and a few other tenants formed a social club that met weekly for “happy hour” and crafts. With the help of her friends became quite the painter! They would also venture out to try restaurants they had never been to for lunch.

Mom lived life very much for those around her. She was a beautiful person who would put others needs ahead of her own. She was constantly “dipping into the well” to support her grandchildren in their many sporting and educational endeavours. She had a fabulous sense of humour and the ability to light up a room with her presence. She was one of a kind and will be deeply missed; she was taken from us too soon. Reunited once again with dad, rest in peace mom, we love you.

Although she was only there for a short time the family would like to thank the excellent doctors and nurses at St. Boniface Hospital (emergency, E6 ward, and ICU) their professionalism and compassion.

Please join us in honouring our mom’s life on Friday, April 1, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.