It is with deep sadness and pride that we announce the passing of Belle McCann, with her family by her side, on the evening of February 16, 2023. Sadness, because she is no longer with us and pride, because of a life so intertwined with our family. She was 97 years old and was not ready to go. She faced the end without pain or fear and was able to express her love and gratitude to those close to her. Belle has left a void and is sorrowfully missed by her children; Linda, Bonnie, Ray, Frank, and John. Her grandchildren; Rob, Ray, Nikki, Dayne, Natalia, Frank, Adele, Joey, Sam, George. Her great-grandchildren; Lizzy, Ripley, Kacy, Lana-Rae, Cody, Skylar, Ryder, Fyfe, Solvi, Kira. Belle was predeceased by her husbands, Leo Weselak and Francis McCann and her siblings; Florence, Michael, Patsy, Rose, Victor and Helene.
Belle was born on a homestead three and a half miles from Molson, Manitoba on October 12, 1925. Her birth was assisted by the midwife named Isabelle, hence her nick name “Belle”. She grew up wild and free in the forest. She was educated in a one room school house in town. Her favourite subject was art. As a child she helped out in the family general store called M.F. Bennington’s and spent time hunting with her brother. She was full of mischief and was very adventurous. At fourteen years old, she worked with the Gray nuns at Hospice Tache’, in St. Boniface, Winnipeg. Next, she worked at Eaton’s in Winnipeg and later at Deer Lodge Hospital.
Belle was widowed twice. Each time, she dedicated her life to raising her children, never losing her sense of adventure. Summers were spent at the cottage at Winnipeg Beach. Then in her later years, she helped to raise her grandchildren, babysitting, driving them to school and lessons. She made costumes and mended clothes. She was the stain removal and laundry queen.
Belle was very competitive and was known as a master cribbage player. She took great pleasure in “skunking” her opponents. At her day club she was known as a fierce competitor in balloon bowling or trivia games. She had a great sense of humour and loved a good prank.
Belle loved to travel with her family. Often she made trips out west to visit relatives. She traveled with her husband, Francis to Scotland and Europe. She went on many road trips with her sister Rose. She even took her adult kids on a family vacation, renting a van and driving all over the British isle. She visited her son John in Ireland and Portugal. They shared a quest to Jerusalem. She spent most summers at Bonnie’s wilderness cabin in Northern Saskatchewan.
For the last years of her life she lived with Bonnie and enjoyed daily visits from her great-grandchildren. She loved the many family dinners in which she was the center of attention. She always remembered everyone’s birthdays with a bit of cash.
On June 24, 2023 Belle will be buried at Green Acres Cemetery at Hwy #1 at Navin Road, Winnipeg . A celebration of life will be held at her home in Fort Garry. The family would like to thank the special staff at Poseidon Personal Care home for making her last few weeks so special and for caring for us all as we prepared to say good-bye. If desired, donations may be made in her name to Siloam mission, Winnipeg.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.thomsoninthepark.com for the McCann family.
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